Hermione's rude comment

[sofdog_2000]

No: HPFGUIDX 74436

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Wanda Sherratt" 
<wsherratt3338 at r...> wrote:
> I've always respected Hermione's judgment and good sense, but at 
the beginning of Ch. 27 of OotP her comments about Firenze really 
grate on me.  Granted, Parvati is baiting her, but I think her 
remarks are pretty tasteless:
> 
> 'Not really,' said Hermione indifferently, reading the Daily 
> Prophet.  'I've never really liked horses.'
> .... 'He's not a horse, he's a centaur!' said Lavender, sounding 
shocked.
 'Either way, he's still got four legs,' said Hermione coolly.
> 
> Wow, I thought, pretty fresh mouth on that girl, considering she 
was the one being called 'mudblood' for the last few books.  Would 
she say the same thing about Hagrid?
> 
> "I've never really liked giants."
> "He's not a giant, he's a half-wizard!"
> "Either way, he's still 8 feet tall."
> 
> Is this supposed to *mean* something?  The fact that basically 
> nobody reacts, except a couple of girls who are signalling "silly 
> schoolgirl crush" with every word, makes me think that there's 
> nothing deeper here, which I find pretty disappointing.  It's as if 
Rowling is just following the template, which states that "Hermione 
> must always have the last word," so she just comes up with some 
> smartass comment for Hermione to say, whether or not it's in 
> character or fits in with the rest of the story.  
> 
> Wanda

Sof: 

Hm, I hadn't really thought about that comment. Possibly Rowling is 
adding dimension to Hermione's nature, and the series' commentary on 
racial injustice. Hermione leads a singleminded crusade against the 
house-elf system for two books, and yet apparently she also holds 
some ignorant bigotry towards another race. I think its pretty common 
for people to think of themselves as being openminded and just, 
without recognizing their own hangups. 

This would be an interesting addition to the storyline. It sort of 
adds another lesson to be learned in future.