Hermione and JKR

[Simon J. Branford]

No: HPFGUIDX 3418

Penny wrote: "She also didn't seem to have the sense that Hermione had made
it further in the final adventures of the first 3 books than Ron had.  I
think there have probably been other critics who have echoed this point &
caused JKR to be irritated by the whole line."

Making something out of Hermione getting further in the three book endings
that Ron is taking things a bit far. CoS and PoA have Hermione and Ron at
similar levels. In PS the situation would not have worked if we had had
Snape's puzzle before the chess. Part of the point was that Hermione was to
go back and get help. Ron sacrificed himself to get the others through the
chess game. I think they have had equal involvement in the book endings
(this can be extended to include GoF as they did nothing to help Harry get
away from Voldemort).

Penny wrote: "Besides, I think McGonagall is a strong character too.  And,
we don't know much about her yet, but I'd be willing to be that Lily Potter
was a very strong person."

McGonagall maybe a strong character but she, IMO, has too little involvement
in the stories. Dumbledore is ahead of her in the pecking order and Snape is
roughly level with her. Also we have Sirius in there as well. There is just
a lack of female characters in the story - too many are bit parts.

Penny wrote: "Well . . . in SS, Harry needs her and Ron to help him solve
the puzzle & <snip> So, I would disagree that it's not too clear that Harry
needs Hermione badly."

Does she do anything but solve problems? Surely she has to be able to offer
something else to Harry? There will come a time when Harry has no problems
to solve (well there maybe!), what will she do then?

Penny wrote: "As for the PoA fight -- I've said it before but it's Harry who
makes the first overtures at making it up with Hermione.  He seems to me to
be a bit put-out that Ron is so stubbornly resistant to making up with
Hermione.  "Can't you give her a break?" he asked Ron."

Ron is too stubborn to make it up with Hermione and needs a real shock to
get him talking too her.
Hermione is too stressed to bother to make it up with Ron.
In reality the fight is between Ron and Hermione (the fight with Harry is
only due to the fact that Hermione is sure Harry would side with Ron rather
than her - insecurity?). So it is left to Harry to make the effort to get
them back together. Something he does not really manage to do. He just gives
up.

Penny wrote: "Well, I agree with Simon's basic point.  But, I think what
Carole is driving at is that we have an author who completely controls what
happens with these characters.  <snip> So ... if you're pairing "yourself"
off in a fictional universe with one of several potential romantic partners,
aren't you the least bit likely to put yourself with the *hero,* who happens
to be your favorite character?"

I see your point. It is JKR who gets the choice and not us and so she will
come, possibly, to a different decision to the one we would like.

Simon