Gender balance/strong women

[Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 15044

Hi --

foxmoth at qnet.com wrote:

> Pippin (whose take on the interesting women in the books issue is that
>
> JKR identifies with Hermione, and doesn't want anyone competing with
> her)

I quite agree!  I see Hermione as very much JKR's surrogate in the
series.

Kimberly wrote:

> Susan wrote: I agree with Amy that people "see" two strong female characters and
> > that equals ten. We are so used to (this is a generalization of
> > course) women blending into the woodwork, being quiet, or not taking
> > up space, that when women are as vocal as men, they are perceived as
> > loud. A man and a woman can speak in the same tone and be direct in
> > their comments. The man will elicit no particular reaction; people
> > will notice (and usually not positively) the woman. Argumentative
> > women will be characterized as a (word rhymes with snitch);
> > argumentative men will be seen as engaging in fun debate.
> >
>
> Kimberly responded: Now see, when I read something like this, I can't help but ask - By
> whom would the women be regarded this way?  I feel like this is a
> pretty big generalization, and sort of expects the worst of people.
> There are lots of women on this list who love a debate
> (understatement, huh?), and I don't think any of us consider each
> other to be, err... snitches.  At least I hope not (you guys don't
> think I'm a snitch, do you?)!  Maybe I'm naive, but I think most
> people would rather be around a person (of any gender) who has
> expresses their thoughts and opinions than someone who just nods and
> smiles.
>
Actually, I definitely 100% whole-heartedly agree with Susan.  I base
that observation on the legal profession.  Female lawyers who take a
strong stand or are assertive or ambitious are almost invariably
labelled as "snitches" to use Susan's polite jargon.  Male lawyers
displaying the *exact* same behavior are doing their job, successful,
hard-hitting but efficacious.  The females get described in negative
terms and have a hard time advancing in the profession as a result.
But, the exact same actions by a male lawyer are praised in glowing
terms.  The perception in these cases is on the part of colleagues,
staff, clients, adversaries ... everyone.    Definitely .... definitely
... definitely.  Seen it more times than I can count.

Color me jaded but that's the truth in that one profession at least.  It
may as a general rule not extend to all professions or situations, but I
can vouch that it's true in the legal world.

> I find it odd that with the perception that strong female characters
> are lacking, many people discount Ginny without giving her a chance.
> Her potential is so clear to me.
>
I think she has potential as a character.  But, I remain skeptical
because I'm not convinced that JKR is heading that route.  I know she's
said we'll see more of Ginny, but I think we all thought that would be
true in GoF and it wasn't.  It's my perception that if Ginny were going
to be a key player, she would have more than a few lines in PoA & GoF.
What was she -- number 29 in terms of lines/space according to that
analysis someone posted earlier today?  That says alot to me.

BTW, whoever compiled that "lines/space" analysis deserves 200% on any
HP obsessiveness quiz!!

Penny




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