[HPforGrownups] [SHIP] LONG: In Defense of Ginny (was Re: The Sleeping Woman/Generational Parallels)

[Laura Huntley]

No: HPFGUIDX 37616

Christine:
>*takes deep breath and tries hard not to panic* As 
>this is my first post here, let me warn you that I can be very blunt and
>sarcastic when the topic is near and dear to my heart, as it is at the moment.

*smiles* Me too.  I try to have a nice debate, everyone else thinks they're being viciously attacked.  *long sigh* Got to learn to be more gentle.

David wrote:
>There is dissatisfaction among some listies with the way women
> are presented in general in HP.

Christine again:
>*snorts* I certainly haven't been dissatisfied. Since the books are told from
>the point of view of a boy, well, they're going be somewhat boy-oriented rather
>than girl-oriented. 

Me neither, actually.  And I agree totally with the fact that it *is* Harry's POV.  He's just not too concerned about girls at this point.

Me:
> Being female, young, and American, I sort of automatically bristle at the
> connotations and stereotypes associated with the words "masculine" and
> "feminine"

Christine:
>I am female, young, and American as well, but I am not at all offended by
>David's statement as you seem to be, Laura. On the contrary, I think you could
>be reading too much into it. I do not believe that David's intent was to be
>sexist <snip>

^_~ I wasn't accusing anyone of sexism.  I was just stating a fact -- sort of qualifying where I was coming from.  I live in a very rural area where sexism is a very real thing and "feminine" very much means "frilly, soft, and nice" and masculine  means "strong, dumb, kind of thick neck" (okay, that was a bit of exaggeration, but you see what I mean).

Christine:
>In a very real sense, Harry's been programmed to have the stereotypical "stiff
>upper lip" by his experiences. It's only now that he's beginning to learn--from
>Mrs. Weasley, from Hermione, and yes, even from Ginny--that it's _all_right_ to
>just let go sometimes.

And this is where I start to bristle.  I simply *do not* understand why there weren't any male figures included in that list.  I mean, I know we're discussing female influence on Harry at this point, but you make it sound as if Harry is only learning to show his emotions through females.  Whenever I think of someone who is teaching Harry to open up to his emotions, it's Hagrid.  Mrs. Weasley is just sort of bustling (although an excellent mom, really) and Hermione may show a fair bit of caring for *others*, but when it comes to hiding her own insecurities and strong emotions, she can be just as stiff-upper-lip as Harry (an example of her cracking is when she smacks Draco  in CoS).  Ginny hasn't really been around enough or developed enough as a character for us to consider her to have any real effect on Harry.  Hagrid, on the other hand, is emotions just spewing all over the place.  I think he's probably incapable of not showing how he feels and keeping his stiff-upper-lip (this phrase sort of makes me laugh).  If anyone can be slotted into the role  of teaching Harry to open up, it's him.  (In a very symbolic way as well, since it is Hagrid who first rescues Harry from the depths of emotional deprivation)..


Christine:
>I like Hermione (I see quite a bit of her in me, in fact), but
>at the same time, I'm not convinced from canon that she and Harry are meant to
be.

Me neither ^_^.  Personally, I'm still trying to hang on to my original anti-shipping status.  Although, H/H doesn't seem as grossly wrong as H/G.  Don't really know why..must think some more on this one..

laura


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