[HPforGrownups] Compassionate hero (WAS Re: Appeal of the story to the reader)

[Barbara Key]

No: HPFGUIDX 175654


> zgirnius wrote:
> 
> > Not my main point, but I did not want to let it
> pass - Ginny's lack 
> > of crying does not have to do with a lack of
> compassion. She does not 
> > cry *for herself*. The young man she loves is
> going to war, and she 
> > does not get all weepy and woe is me-ish about it,
> and Harry 
> > appreciates that. 
> 

I do understand Harry's apprieciation for Ginny's
ability to face danger (her family's and his) without
weeping.

In the historical fiction books by Roberta Gellis (not
bodice-rippers!!), the lead female character reminds
her daughter and daughter-in-law not the weep or cling
to their men as they go off to war. They must be
strong for the men so that when the men have to fight,
they can concentrate on the fight. The men will know
that their wives are strong enough to go on without
them if they should die.

Of course, they can weep all they want in private.

I suspect Ginny and Mrs Weasley are like this. 

Barbara