JKR prone to old preconceptions about females?

[dina_aka_nicky]

No: HPFGUIDX 41109

Denise wrote:

>They may 
> not have been out in front like Harry/Dumbledore etc BUT you can 
tell that 
> they are individuals and not just part of the furniture. I don't 
feel that 
> they've been described as being anything less than individuals who 
are 
> encouraged to do their best for themselves, their house and their 
school 
> and to make the right choices.

That's not the issue. I don't say that the females in HP are nothing 
more than furniture or plot-devices JKR uses when convenient. Far 
from it. I only say that given the number of diverse male characters 
I couldn't help notice that the same can't be said from the females.

> Are you saying that you don't know a great proportion of women who 
would 
> fit into this catagory [of gossiping, talking, nosy women who 
easily panic]?

No, I'm not. But I *am* saying that preconceptions are hard to break 
if they are promoted in popular books such as Harry Potter. The only 
male stereotype I see is the boys constantly talking about 
Quidditch... and "men and sports" is definitely not the most 
unfavorable male stereotype there is.

> <snip>
>  >And if they are in a situation where they have to take
>  >action they simply fail.
> <unsnip>
> 
> Someone had better tell Hermione,

She's good at school - but otherwise... (the sole exception being her 
solving Snape's logic puzzle in PS)

>Prof McGonagall,

She doesn't have an active role so far. Yes, she may be second in 
command at Hogwarts but as far as we know that could only be due to 
the years she's been teaching at Hogwarts. So far we don't know of 
any special deed of hers.

> Each and every character in the books have their own strengths and 
> weaknesses .. all of them, male or female.

I never denied that. But despite their weaknesses the male characters 
are in the spotlight, are the memorable, controversial characters, 
the females aren't.

Claudia