Ginny vs Hermione (was) Cho; It's time to defend Ginny! (some SHIP)

[Calliope]

No: HPFGUIDX 52381

Penny wrote:

Let's just compare Ginny's behavior and dialogue in CoS with Hermione in PS/SS. 
Or, compare PoA Ginny with CoS Hermione.  In each case, Ginny appears to me to
have been characterized as drastically younger than she is chronologically
speaking.


Me:

I wonder if that has to do with their upbringings.  Hermione apparently is an
only child, and the daughter of two professionals; I think that made her "grow
up" faster than most kids.  Ginny is the baby and only girl of a large family,
she's probably been sheltered and protected and consequently acts younger. 
Although, I have to wonder if it's not that Ginny seems young for her age, but
Hermione seems old for *her* age.  Then again, kids vary so wildly in that age
group that there really isn't a "norm" as far as maturity levels go.

I wish JKR had developed Ginny's character more before now; especially in CoS. 
I just didn't find CoS that compelling, especially when McGonagall said that
Ginny was in the chamber.  I was like "oh, poor Ron, his sister's been taken"
and not "oh, poor Ginny, I hope they get her out."  I felt bad for Ron, not
necessarily for Ginny, because I knew Ron very well and not Ginny.  I feel like
JKR's missed an opportunity here; if she's going to do something big with Ginny,
she's left her on the back burner far too long and now will have to play
"catch-up" to make us care about her for herself and not just as Ron's sister.

Julia