Troll comment again, Hermione's blush

[Penny Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 50325

Hi --

> I said:
> > I agree that she was very hurt by the trolls remark, but it may 
or may not have anything to do with personal feelings for Ron.  

> 
> Angua again:

> But I agree with you that Hermione was hurt, and is not just 
needling > Ron for fun, or from feminism.  She speaks "loftily" and "acidly," > and "snaps."  There is no lifted eyebrows or sly grin of 
appreciation for karma -- she is angry.  I don't think she is SO insecure about  her appearance, or SO militantly feminist, as to be *hurt* by Ron's > remark, UNLESS she wants him to find her attractive.  <snip>>>>>>

Amy Z earlier said:

<<<<Nor do I see any reason to conclude from this interaction that 
Hermione wanted Ron to ask her to the ball.  Maybe she did, maybe she 
didn't, but I'm not seeing evidence in her reaction to the trolls 
comment.  There's another simple explanation for her angry response:  
Ron's being a sexist cad.  This irritates many young women.>>>>


Amy Z then said:

<<<<OK, both of you.  Where do you get the idea that Hermione is "hurt" 
by Ron's remark, or even thinks it is a comment on her own 
appearance?  The key words are "splutter of indignation," "bristling," "snapped," and "swept off."  Where's the cue about hurt as distinct from anger?  Where's the cue that she's taking it personally at all?>>>>>>>

I've *always* said that the Trolls remark scene is Hermione reacting to Ron being a sexist cad.  I think she must have been somewhat stung to bring it up later ("All the good-looking ones taken?") ...... but I've *never, ever* assumed it had anything to do with Hermione taking it personally.  I think she had a very typical feminist reaction is all.  I agree with Amy: there's nothing in the interaction to indicate that Hermione was hoping Ron would ask her or felt *personally* insulted so much.  I somehow doubt that she was sitting there doodling Ron + Hermione in her notebook and wondering when he would ask her.   She may have already had her date with Krum by then anyway.  But then, I also see her antagonism with Fleur as being a feminist position rather than some personal animus relating to Ron and Fleur.  <g> 

<<<<How about this?  She's blushing because they're talking about her 
dating life.  It's personal.  It's embarrassing.  It touches on 
something heretofore secret and rather exciting.  Hence, a blush.>>>>>

I couldn't agree more.  I don't *really* think her blushes have anything to do with Harry *or* Ron.  But, I think it's problematic to try & argue that she blushes because of Ron when Harry is also sitting right there in every instance. IOW, it's just as likely that Harry inspires the blushes as Ron.  

Penny
(who has lots more comments to make later.....don't all jump up & down at once!  <g>)


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