SHIP Ron/ Hermione /Golpalott's Third Law

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 151479

Silmariel:
> Ok, I get it. Still, I suposse I would have like her seeing fully 
dedicated to knowledge but not only to studies. A bit of hobbies 
related to but not included in the OWL race, like -muggle example 
warning- astronomy. I understant that Hermione is driven by 
knowledge, but, as Joe says, she can be interpreted as a new Percy - 
achiever of marks. I think Percy is gifted, but not 'the brightest 
wizard'.

Ceridwen:
I'm just going to jump in on this one point.  I think the primary 
reason JKR makes Hermione study so much is that's what kids think 
about smart kids.  They have no life, they always must be studying.  
This is primarily a kids' series, after all, and we see a lot of kid 
story stereotypes.  Where smart kids do seem to study a lot, 
sometimes it is only in pursuit of a hobby (like Astronomy).

But I can see another reason as well, which is probably not what 
Rowling intended.  Hermione is like an immigrant into a new and 
fascinating world.  It's in her best interest to study up on it, not 
just the classwork, but things like reading 'Hogwarts: A History'.  
If she's going to assimilate, which she does seem to be doing, she 
needs the extra boost that another student born into the WW doesn't 
need.

Also, most people are just a little conceited, reading their own 
horoscope rather than someone else's, unless their interest is in 
astrology in general, and showing more interest in topics which 
interest them and which make them seem to be smarter.  A person who 
likes sports will watch sports shows, a person who likes astronomy 
will watch more shows like 'Cosmos'.  And both will probably throw 
their newfound knowledge around when the subject comes up because, 
due to interest, both will remember more about that topic.

This is just my opinion on that one point.  Smart kids come in as 
many varieties as there are smart kids, though there will tend to be 
a pattern.  Hermione remembers a lot of what she reads, and puts it 
to use.  So to me, she does seem to be smarter than average, as well 
as worried about her grades.

Ceridwen.