Lockhart - Yuck! -- sexism/banality of evil

[Indigo]

No: HPFGUIDX 19763

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Schlobin at a... wrote:
> I think it's interesting that folks are critical of Hermione and 
> Molly Weasley for their crush on Lockhart. 
> 
> Molly has never even met the man, but is beguiled by his good 
> looks...of course so is the newspaper that voted him the smile of 
the 
> week/year, whatever, and Albus Dumbledore (who hired him), and his 
> publisher (who printed him).....So I don't think we can blame Molly.
> 
> I think it's interesting that literature tends to blame women for 
> being manipulative in attracting men,
> and blame women for being attracted to good looking worthless men 
(I 
> tend to wonder how much of Gilderoy Lockhart was based on JKR's ex 
> husband -- after all, she identifies with Hermione)....
> 
> But rarely are men blamed for being attracted to good looking 
> worthless women (Veela)...it's the women who tend to be labeled...
> 
> anyway, Lockhart was evil. He isn't as smart as Voldemort, or as 
> effective. But he was willing to abandon Ginny to V and to kill
> Ron and Harry for his own reputation.... that is evil. He had no 
> compunction and no guilt. And what about all the other 
> wizards/witches from whom he stole memory and reputation?
> 
> Those who don't like CoS should listen to it on tape. Jim Dale does 
a 
> remarkable job (including Lockhart saying "harry, harry, harry") I 
> love CoS as a result of listening to the tape.
> 
> Susan