Hermione's Hypocrisy?(long)

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 129181


> Betsy:
> But don't you see that as a Muggleborn Hermione faces some of the 
> exact same prejudices?  And that Lupin and Hagrid are hurt by 
> prejudice and react to that prejudice in the exact same way 
Hermione 
> would?  

a_svirn:

Nope, I don't see that. Hermione is universally admired. All of the 
Hogwarts faculty (except for Snape) are constantly singing her 
praises. She is highly respected by her fellow students (except for 
Draco-Goyle-Crabbe-Pansy quartet, but who would want their respect, 
anyway?) Granted she is not well-liked, but that has nothing to do 
with her being Muggle-born. She would have the same kind of problems 
in a Muggle school. 
Now, as for werewolves and half-giants they do not suffer merely 
from "prejudices". Werewolves are legally prosecuted, and if half-
giants are not, it's in all probability because there has been no 
precedent so far. For all we know Hagrid may be the only half-giant 
in the whole Great Britain. That's why people have had trouble 
recognising him as such. Giants, however, has not only been 
prosecuted, but actually exterminated. Hermione's upward mobility 
may or may not be hampered a bit because of her being Muggle-born, 
but there is a world of a difference between this level of problems 
and basic survival.

If Hermione were a werewolf or a half-giant she would 
> probably keep that fact a secret and work to achieve whatever 
goals 
> she set for herself, just as she helps Hagrid and Lupin to do.  
> Hermione treats Hagrid and Lupin exactly how *she* would want to 
be 
> treated if *she* was in that situation.  So it's still step 
one: "I 
> try to step into your shoes, as it were; I ask myself how *I* 
would 
> feel if *I* were in your position."  (IMO, of course. <g>)
> 
a_svirn:

Well first she asked herself "how I would feel in Hagrid shoes?" And 
answered "Hmm! wouldn't want to be in his shoes at all" – that's 
step 1. Then she asked herself "what is Hagrid thinking about his 
situation?" And answered: "Well obviously it causes him a great deal 
of anxiety: he's partly ashamed about his origins, partly afraid of 
being found out" – that's step 2.