Adolescent Development in OOTP

[rzl46]

No: HPFGUIDX 101832

Peter Shea wrote:
> 
> For example, are we supposed to believe than Ron Weasley, as a 
healthy, ordinary teenage male, has not yet consciously become aware 
of his attraction for Hermione Granger or indeed any young woman? Is 
Hermione supposed to be so unaffected by her "coming out" at the Yule 
Ball that she completely retreats into her academic studies and shows 
only occasional (and ambiguous) interest in matters of the heart (as 
she does when she advises Harry about his relationship with Cho)? Of 
the principal teenage characters in the novel, only Ginny Weasley 
appears to experiencing the normal dating game for young teenagers.
> 
> Comments?

MaggieB:

I don't really have a problem with this depiction.  We had little or 
no indication of Ron's desire to play quiddich, why would we expect 
him to openly express his desire for any particular girl?  For that 
matter, we only know of Harry's interest in Cho because of the point 
of view from which JKR chose to write the novel.  Only Hermione 
noticed his interest.  Not Ron.  And to recognize Ron's interest in 
any female we'd almost have to have Harry recognize it first in order 
to be told.  I don't think Harry would be any more perceptive in this 
than Ron is.  Same goes for noticing Hermione's interest.  Okay, 
okay, Harry notices who Ginny likes.  But Ginny seems to be much more 
blatant, open, . . ., what word is it that I'm looking for?  I 
suppose one could also make the argument that since Harry was the 
object of Ginny's attention for so many years he is more in tune to 
her.  

MaggieB--who recognizes that portions of her post will be used by 
shippers of all kinds