Harry Potter is Anti-Woman

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 181016

tiger_queen:
> I was a huge fan of Harry Potter. I loved the interesting world and 
> all the characters in it. It's just the more I think about them, 
the 
> more I feel that the books are very anti-woman.

Ceridwen:
Interesting post.  I can see your point, when taken without other 
considerations.  As someone who was dissatisfied with "Deathly 
Hallows" and the conclusion it sweeps back on the rest of the series, 
I see things in a slightly different way.

I think the men were short-shrifted as much as the women, only in a 
different way.  From the beginning, most of our viewpoint has been 
through the filter of a young male who is in the stage of life where 
he is looking for male role models.  He lacks a father, and the 
father-figure at home hates his guts and locks him in a cupboard.  He 
meets exciting new people and idealizes the males.

Around the filter, though, these idealized males are lacking.  Some 
are failures (Remus has one job which lasts less than a year).  Some 
have secrets which would negatively impact a very young 
impressionable boy (Dumbledore collaborating with Grindelwald, even 
for a few weeks).  Some are distant or necessarily absent (Arthur 
Weasley, with his long hours at the Ministry).  Some have self-
defeating or self-destructive behaviors (a lot of people thought that 
OotP Sirius came across as a closet alcoholic).  The hero's late 
father is, in my opinion, portrayed as a jerk, which rachets up by a 
power when he is shown with his friends.  The supreme villain gets a 
case of James Bond Villain Blind Spot and other less-than-brilliant 
moments.  The "bad guy" who is really on Our Side is hobnailed by 
feelings for a long-dead schoolmate and incapable of moving on.  
Draco, the hero's direct opposite, will say anything to save his own 
skin while his father meekly follows his wife's strong lead.

Speaking of the Black sisters, Bellatrix and Narcissa are shown to be 
strong, even if their strength is tied up with the Wrong Side.  
Bellatrix's loyalty would put a lot of Real Life males to shame.  
Loyalty is the chief characteristic which will bring plans to 
fruition.  Narcissa sets the tone for her family under extreme duress 
at the beginning of DH.  Molly Weasley, who is somehow related to the 
Blacks, may come across as a neurotic who goes around the house 
worrying, but she's a strong presence moreso than her husband.

I think a lot of things fell flat with the last book, including but 
certainly not limited to the treatment of female characters.  I don't 
think a case can be made for singling out females for negative 
writing any more than males.

Ceridwen.