Hermione, JKR and other things

[Simon J. Branford]

No: HPFGUIDX 3445

I wrote: "There is just a lack of female characters in the story - too many
are bit parts."
Penny replied "Interesting that as a female, I'd disagree.  I don't really
see it as a male-centered series at all."

I was not trying to say that the books are male-centred; they are
Harry-centred. I just get the feeling that too many of the female characters
are not developed as much as they could (Ginny is the character I am
especially thinking of here), and maybe even should, be.

Steve wrote: "She also seems able to handle relationships better than either
of them: she deals with Krum better than Harry or Ron deal with either their
dates, or with Cho and Fleur.  I am thinking of how Krum seems to be a
little too infatuated with her at times, but she doesn't let herself get too
caught up in the relationship."

Though this does not really excuse their actions, but it is worth noting
that the boys' dates are second (or maybe even worse than that) choices.
Hermione has been invited to the dance and has chosen to go with Krum. In
Harry's case he has had no choice about the ball, he has had to find a date.
Harry hates being in a position where he is elevated above everyone else, as
he is due to him being a champion, and this ball is one of those occasions.
His response is to do what is required of him and then vanish - a typical
teenage response to a problem.

I wrote: "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?"
Steve replied: "That's a pretty utilitarian point of view regarding
friendship. Hermione's "worth" shouldn't be judged by what practical things
she has to offer Harry; isn't the fact that they are friends enough?"
Penny wrote: "I agree with Steve points here (she shows considerably more
warmth & compassion than either of the boys so far & she seems much more
capable of dealing with interpersonal relationships).  I'd add that she also
already has done more than just solve problems."

I was joking with my comment. I know that Hermione offers more but you,
Penny, made out in the message that I responded to that Hermione and Harry
are friends for the problems she could solve for him (or at least that is
how I interpreted it).

Penny wrote: "Penny (who should perhaps be given the title of Defender of
Hermione or some such)"

And also Defender of the right for HP to be on the NY Times adults'
bestseller lists.

I think the problem is that I do not like Hermione. She annoys me. Quite a
few of the things that people see as being faults in her (taking her studies
far too seriously, especially the PoA too many subjects incident, and taking
the political stuff too far) are problems that I know, looking back at my
teenage years, that other people had with me. I can see her doing things
that I did, things that I now realise where either stupid or irrelevant and
an inner voice in me is screaming: "Don't do it - there is no need"


Firebolt wrote: "Terry Pratchett's Discworld series is well-written and
absolutely hilarious, especially the ones about Death or the Death of Rats
(Mort, Reaper Man, Soul Music, Hogfather...). I'm actually reading one of
them, Soul Music, for the first time right now"

TP's books are great. I have read the entire Discworld series and find the
ones centred on Death the best. He has a new book at soon (well at least in
the UK - I do not know if he has simultaneous English speaking countries
release of his book). I have met him twice - the second when he came to
speak to a bunch of students. He is an amazing speaker and talks in the same
way that his books are written - with footnotes everywhere!

Simon