[HPforGrownups] Re: Female Stereotypes/Memorable details (was Of cliches and characterisation)

[Vicky Ra]

No: HPFGUIDX 20699

Rebecca: Which makes me wonder- when you lot first read the
books, did you just read it, and think "Oh no, that isn't right, JKR
called Dudley fat" or "How come the nerdy ones all wear glasses" and
the such like? Just interested.

*gasp* I've only read the books once. I think we all overanalyze the books,
talking like the characters are real, and attributing real-life logic to
their actions and thoughts, but I think that's a case of HP withdrawal, and
the fact that there's not much else to do till book 5 or the movie.

I did notice gender roles very much. I feel that females are placed in
traditional roles for the most part, except maybe for the Gryff Quidditch
girls. Speaking of Quidditch, I wonder how players are selected. Flint and
Wood have to be replaced.

But back to female stereotypes. Hermione is a strong character. However, she
seems to go to pieces when confronted with physical danger. In other words,
she can't seem to think on her feet. Harry can, but perhaps that's another
Slyth quality. But unlike most of you here, I thought it was touching how
she dressed up for the Yule ball.

Fleur annoyed me. She seemed like a flirt to me, always seeming to come on
to any male she found attractive.

Molly is the typical motherly figure. I like her. She fits into the typical
female stereotype. I thought it was sweet how concerned she is for Arthur
having to work so hard after the World Cup fiasco, and awaiting his return
home all the time. The Weasleys seem to be a traditional family, where the
husband earns all the money, and the wife stays home and takes care of
domestic affairs. I personally see nothing wrong with this arrangement if
both parties agree to it. I personally wouldn't mind having a life like
that, with a loving, respectful husband and a couple kids. But that's the
key, I think, to have a husband who cares for you as a person, and doesn't
see you as property. Arthur is such a man. He and Molly love each other for
who they are. *runs from the curses of the feminists*

Jen: Everyone has different things they notice when they read.  For someone
who, unlike me, doesn't pay attention to gender things, they could
probably read all the books and never notice what JKR does with gender,
but that same person might notice the uses of hair color (like
blondness) that never made any conscious impression on me.  And of
course, it depends how casually one read them the first time.  I read
them quite cursorily, but perhaps others gave more attention to it.

The first time I read anything, I tend to read it cursorily. I don't analyze
as I'm reading. I just go along for the ride. I noticed the symbolism in
names right away (Lupin, Minerva, Draco, Lucius, Hermione), but didn't
notice anything about looks. I knew that Dudley was fat, and I did notice
the repeated references to it, but it didn't bother me too much, nor did it
strike me that it was symbolism of any kind. I noticed how Snape likes to
lurk in shadow, and how his voice is described as deadly, dangerous, quiet,
and as a hiss, and that his eyes are black and cold, but he stands out,
being my fav character. I noticed the happy, healthy marriage of the
Weasleys, in contrast to the Malfoys, and how Arthur and Molly show concern
and love for each other and their children. But then, I'm a hopeless
romantic, with an affinity for tortured, tragic, noble heroes. Okay, I know
Snape isn't exactly noble, but I think he's getting there, and when the
chips are down, he'll be there. And who could forget the gruesome graveyard
scene, or when Snape shows Fudge the Dark Mark? These are the things that
stand out to me.

Vicky

P.S. To the person who said she'd never heard the name "Hermione" before,
thus the conclusion of her being a light-colored black, it's taken from
mythology on the Trojan War. Hermione was Menelaus and Helen's daughter,
wife to Neoptolemus, son of Achilles and Didamia, I believe, though the name
of the girl could be wrong. She was Andromache's mistress after Troy lost
the war. Andromache and her husband, Hector, were my fav characters in that
story. Such tragedy. :(

Sorry for the OT insert. I love any excuse to talk about this tragic story.
It's one of my favs.