Bigotry in the Potterverse

[sartoris22]

No: HPFGUIDX 188068

RICH:

just don't see the traditional sexism in the books. I do see 
differentiation, but JKR's got to tell a story and it's the differences 
that propel the characters. It's Hg who is smarter and better at almost 
everything off of a broom and more quick witted than either HP or RW. 
Her skills and daring shine in book 7, where she is the one to save the trio's collective bacon. 

Sartoris22:

As I say in my earlier post, the books exhibit Hermione power, particularly in DH. But I don't think the books, overall, exhibit girl power. Men, to me, if you'll pardon the metaphor, wield the big wands in the novels. The protagonist and anagonist are men, and only Hermione, I think, shows traditional power. Don't you find it interesting that Fleur is chosen to compete in the Twiwizard Tournament? Is Fleur the most capable woman from two schools? Is Fleur the best women have to offer? Of the four contestants, Fleur is clearly the weakest. What statement does that make about women and power in the wizard world? True, women hold some power in the ministry, but the ony female ministry official we really get to know is Umbridge, a mean, petty, vicious, calculating, prejudiced person. And so many women seem to define themselves through relationships with men--Fleur, Tonks, Bellatrix, Lavender, and even Ginny, in a way. You make the point that Rowling was able to write a series that captured the interest and imagination of boys, an assessment that is clearly true. But do the books accomplish this by supporting a male notion of the world? If so, then that is somewhat dishearteing  to me.


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