SHIP: Pirate Ginny

[sienna291973]

No: HPFGUIDX 133393

> anthyroserain:
> 
> I completely agree with this. I'm not biased: I honestly never 
cared 
> one way or the other if Harry got together with Ginny, but in HBP 
it 
> seemed unconvincing, and as I think JKR is a good writer, I imagine 
> this must be intentional.
> 
> Yes, people do suddenly realize they're in love, but they don't 
> suddenly *fall* in love. Lust, sure, not love. Usually, they've 
been 
> in love for a long time without realizing it (like Ron and 
> Hermione.) 

Now me:
Here is a surprising thing. I am actually *not* an R/Hr shipper but 
thought the moment between Ron and Hermione in Sprout's class (I 
think) was very touching and realistically done. I'm an H/Hr shipper 
but I liked it. After that, it all went downhill. H/G though... nup. 
Not buying. Something's fishy.

anthyroserain:
And it's not like they feel a true connection - 
> their relationship seems mainly based on Harry thinking she's hot 
> and liking her perfume. I figured it was either hormones or love 
> potion. 

me:
This was also another sore point for me. Harry's attraction seemed 
almost completely based on superficial, physical characteristics. Her 
wonderful hair, her physical attractiveness (more than once we are 
reminded that other boys find her attractive) etc. I was left 
wondering where the Harry I loved had gone and how he could be so 
superficial. Even his moment with Luna had more substance. Ginny was 
entirely characterised in HBP by her physical attractiveness, her 
sexuality, her social graces, her humour, her fiestiness (who just 
happened to have a good bat-bogey hex). She was simply too much 
the 'perfect woman'.

anthyroserain:
> (And I agree with the poster who said that Ginny's comment to Ron 
> about his romantic experience was way out of bounds. He's just a 
> protective older brother, and that was an awful thing to say to 
> someone. Really didn't make me like Ginny.)

Me:
The part where the author really lost me was when Ginny snaps at 
Hermione and tells her not to embarrass herself. For me it was too 
much about how an attractive girl (who fits into and understands a 
mans world - ie quidditch) is more desireable and worthy than an 
intelligent girl who lacks in social graces and physical beauty. I 
couldn't believe the author could so callously send such a message 
(to girls who might be brainy like Hermione but lack Ginny's social 
graces) just so that she could kill the shipping wars. I was utterly 
appalled. I lost all liking for Ginny right then and there and I felt 
like smacking Harry upside the head.

In fact the anti-feminist undertones in the Ginny v's Hermione 
characterisations require some discussion. Whereas Ginny is rewarded 
and placed on a pedastal for her desireability, Hermione is subtly 
mocked. Her thirst for knowledge, while admired on the surface are 
characterised as insecurity and teased. Her book-smarts do not avail 
her of respect in HBP but rather of subtle scorn. Despite all she has 
done for him, Harry is pleased when Ginny puts her in her place. 
There is much more that could be said about the message this sends to 
kids. Essentially, I went away feeling like Ginny had been turned 
into a sort of trophy worthy of a hero, with all the trappings that 
entailed, while Hermione was brought down a peg so that Ginny could 
shine.

anthyroserain:
> So: it's a decent teenage crush, but it's not love. I buy 
> JKR's "love conquers all" mantra when it comes to parental and 
> selfless love, but not teenage crushes. I really hope she's not 
> putting them on the same plane here, because it cheapens real 
> sacrifice.

Me:
Even if we were to hypothesise that Ginny and Harry's 'lust' could 
turn to love, is one book enough? 

anthyroserain:
> And while I'm complaining, I'd like to say that the "Spider-Man" 
> moment at the end where Harry breaks up with Ginny is silly. Does 
he 
> really care more about the well-being of Ginny than Ron and 
> Hermione? Surely Voldemort would attack his best friends before his 
> just-acquired girlfriend.

Me:
Just another moment that had me scratching my head anthy.

Sienna