Fleur kisses Ron?-Re Semicolon debate

[brandgwen at hotmail.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 15376

Kimberly wrote:
> Why *does* Hermione hate Fleur so much?  She generally gives people 
the benefit of the doubt.  Even Snape, before there was any
indication that he was anything but horrible.  But with Fleur she
just seems to detest her from the very beginning.  I don't think she's
ever done that with anyone else.  So is it only jealousy, or is there 
something else?

Two disclaimers, before I continue.  This post assumes an R/H 
relationship is developing in GoF and contains the word "feminism".  
If either of these factors make you break out in a rash, HIT DELETE!

Fleur's manner was haughty from the beginning, which ticked Hermione 
off.  The first mention of her follows:

"'... I hope and trust your stay [at Hogwarts] will be both 
comfortable and enjoyable.'

One of the Beauxbatons girls still clutching a muffler around her
head gave what was unmistakeably a derisive laugh.

'No one's making you stay!' Hermione whispered, bristling at her."
     GoF, Ch 16 The Goblet of Fire.

The next time Fleur is mentioned is later in the chaper, when she 
comes over for the bouillabaisse.  While she is perfectly polite, her 
very presence turns Ron into an idiot.  Whether or not there is 
something going on between Hermione and Ron at this point in time, 
Hermione finds Ron's drooling embarrassing.  She associates this with 
Fleur.

To be fair, she has a similar reaction when Ron goes all silly over 
Krum.  She prefers Ron to be his usual self, and behave in a manner 
she can respect.

This theory is a bit more involved.  This is where the feminism comes 
in.  There is a mode of thinking among feminist theorists known as
the "Blue-stocking discourse".  It suggests that, as girls reach 
adolescence, they begin to take on the feminine role.  They do this
by i) concentrating on their looks, ii) adopting 
submissive/flirtateous affectations and iii) repressing their 
intellectual capacity, amongst other things.  The idea is that
strong, 
smart females are less attractive to potential mates.

Whether or not this is true in the current context is a matter for 
more knowledgable people that myself.  However, Hermione is a young 
girl, just reaching adolescence.  She prizes her intelligence and 
values such masculine traits as courage and comradary.  Her attitude 
to her looks is functional and she considers preening to be fatuous.  
For someone to find her attractive, they're going to have to look 
beyond the exterior and she has no intention of altering that.

Now, in walks Fleur, the anti-Hermione.  This person looks good and 
knows it.  What's more, she maximises her looks; anyone who has ever 
had hair down to their waist will know that it hark work.  Her manner 
is feminine.  She attracts attention by walking across a room - she 
doesn't need to think, she just has to be.

I'm not suggesting Hermione was just jealous.  She might have been, 
but I also think her attitude could be attributed to a degree of 
contempt for the steroetype Fleur represented.  Fleur is an 
affirmation of what Hermione must have already started to notice.  
Smart, practical people can be daughters, students, peers and
friends, and can be appreciated accordingly.  It's not as easy to
find appreciation as a girl.  Your average teenager will look at the 
veela first.

Gwen.