SHIP: Authorial intent, Hermione's Secrets, and Ron's Problems

[Penny Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 50804

Hi --

David had asked: > So, your exam question:  does the text go out of its way (whatever > that means!) to string along opposing shippers? >>>>> 

Debbie responded with lots of great thoughts as usual.  I too believe that the text is written intentionally ambiguous, with regard to Hermione in particular, and I think that's why JKR is cagey with her chat answers on this topic.  

>Is the ambiguity in 
> Hermione, JKR, or her readers?

Debbie: <<<<I think this ambiguity is all JKR's.  Whether it is plot-related or whether it has to do with the fact that (as she's stated) Hermione is based a good deal on herself, she has created a character that I suspect we don't know quite as well as we think we do. <snip> We therefore unconsciously project ourselves into her character and, as others have said, become emotionally involved in her actions.   

My point, however, is that JKR seems to have avoided revealing a great deal about Hermione besides whether she likes one of her two best friends as more than a friend.  For example, she hasn't even told us about Hermione's wand.  We don't know what her greatest fear is.>>>>>>>>>>

Yes, Yes, Yes!  :--)  I agree completely that Hermione is a wild card really.    

<<<<Despite the textual evidence of Ron's feelings, we don't have similar assurances regarding R/H.  That's because of where JKR has left Ron at this point in the text -- with many readers believing that he has lost his way and has fallen behind.  However, looking at the series from the outside (rather than trying to look for evidence of the characters' present feelings and suitability), I think it's impossible to dismiss R/H on this basis.  Because this is a novel and not real life, I don't see Ron overcoming his crush and then moving aside in favor of H/H, especially considering where JKR has left him at this point (though I'd be happy to see that happen without H/H).  Instead, I see R/H's likelihood as depending on what JKR has in mind for Ron as a character, not on anyone's present feelings.  In other words, the issue is not what Hermione's choice will be.  It's how Ron's choices would influence Hermione's choice.  

There are a lot of possible places JKR can take Ron based on his development to date:

<snip Imperius!Ron, Evil!Ron, Dead!Ron, Newly-Self-Assured!Ron>

I think you've skipped a few though.  I know you're operating on the assumption that because this is fiction rather than real life, Ron would not step aside and allow H/H.  I don't frankly envision any sort of melodramatic, "I give you my blessings" speech from Ron either.  However, I don't put much emphasis on the fictional medium being a conduit for only these four possibilities.  I think it's entirely possible that:

5.  Ron and Hermione date.  It's either successful but not entirely satisfactory (not "the real thing" and this is evident to both parties at some point), so they break up amicably .......or it's not successful and they break up either amicably or not so amicably.  

6.  Hermione rejects Ron, and Ron pines after Hermione for a time..........and then realizes that he just had a crush after all.  He gets on with his life, and could follow any of your scenarios, but most probably Newly-Self-Assured!Ron.  

Is he really going to *always* be a roadblock to H/H in either scenario?  I'd say not.  Happens all the time.   I tend to view novels as imitative of life ..........so I'm afraid the whole "well, but this is fiction" argument doesn't hold much sway with me.  

<<<<I don't believe that scenario #4 necessarily entails Ron "winning the girl" as a reward.  However, I do have trouble with #4 and H/H happening in tandem.  Since this story is Harry's, and since JKR has clearly revealed to us what Ron's feelings for Hermione are, I just don't see him winning the struggle with himself and then conceding the girl to the hero.  It contracts the Trio into a duo and a hanger-on, rather than both Ron and Hermione as equal best friends with the hero and with each other, and I would find that thematically very unsatisfying.>>>>>>>>

What about: Ron winning the struggle with himself but not winning Hermione's heart .....no romances in the Trio during canon....... but an eventual turn to H/H years later (my personal favorite)?  I don't know why Ron has to "concede the girl."  Why can't it just be a 14 yr old boy who had a crush on his best friend, but it never worked out?  He doesn't have to turn evil or die for H/H to work IMO.    

<<<<<One final thought on David's "two valid endings."  If JKR chose *not* to ship the Trio to one another within the four corners of the series, but to conclude it with the Trio as still (or perhaps again) best friends, would that not allow us to continue to view either ship as valid?  Or any other ship?  Or no ship?  The more I think about this, the more I think that would be the best possible result.  I'd still put my money on R/H, but not till the very end of the series.>>>>>>>>>

Yes, absolutely!  I can definitely buy that.  And, assuming all the Trio are still alive, it certainly does just allow the shippers to find their own valid endings (though, of course, an epilogue could put JKR's imprimatur on one ship or the other or no-ship).  

Penny



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