General Stereotypes (was: Fred and George and the battle of the sexes)

[jenny_ravenclaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 57494

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "darrin_burnett" <bard7696 at a...> 
wrote:
 
>The boys are plotting strategy, getting worked up by saying things 
like: "Get the snitch or die trying!"
> 
>The girls are giggling over how cute the opponent is.
> 
>Having played in co-educational events, I can safely tell you that 
this drives the men absolutely up the wall. Fred and George responded 
how many men would have. Jealously played a part, but frustration over 
the girliness in their midst also did.>

Ah, stereotypes.  JKR writes them so well.  It is possibly the only 
criticism I have of HP in general, but I can justify it.  Darrin, your 
intense loathing of All Things Slytherin feeds right in.

We all know that JKR did *not* write these books for children (right, 
Penny?  You'll back me on this as I'm going for one of your pet 
peeves), but there are elements of her writing that seem to be 
targeting kids.  The portrayal of the Dursleys is one - you know, the 
good kid with the bad family who finds out he can get away from 
them...  very fairy tale-ish.

Characterizing all of the Slytherins as jerks who will be evil is also 
a bit childish.  In reality, people are not generally simply good or 
bad.  You may think so-and-so is just peachy but so-and-so has been a 
real shmuck to me.  This is why I'd like to see JKR take a different 
direction with Draco.  Make him a coward who can't use Cruciatius on 
another!  Turn him against Dear Old Dad!  Let us find out his secret 
ambition is to run an inn in Hogsmeade!  Or make him what he'd be in 
real life: a spoiled, unsuccessful, completely dependent on Dad to 
bail him out kind of guy, not a leading DE.  As of now, the Slytherins 
pretty much always do what we expect them to and I'd like to see 
something different.

The girly giggling is definitely another irritating stereotype.  I 
*hated* when the girls were pointing and giggling at Harry when 
McGonagall told her students about the upcoming Yule Ball.  The 
giggling when Cedric's name was mentioned wasn't much better.  I'm 
glad that Cedric himself was not the stereotype of the handsome jock 
and that Cho's characterization reveals her to be mature and 
respectful. 

Most of the time JKR's characterization is multi-dimensional and full 
of surprises but there are a few areas that do seem to be black and 
white and a little too simple to be written for adults.

--jenny from ravenclaw, who now always reviews my posts for potential 
band names.  See any, Darrin? ************