[HPforGrownups] Re: Bigotry in the Potterverse/Hermione and her parents

[Kemper]

No: HPFGUIDX 188181

> Lynda:
> I don't know about this attitude of arrogance.

Kemper now:
I agree.  I don't think arrogant is the best descriptor rather I think
of Hermione as condescendingly arbitrary.
I also love Carol's description:
thoughtlessly manipulative and unwittingly cruel.

> Lynda:
> I've asked some friends of
> mine, all of them HP lovers who have read the books a number of times but
> don't subscribe to any online forums what they think about what Hermione
> did, was it arrogant, altruistic, do they think there was precedent in the
> past behavior and in the actions of Voldemort at that time to warrant
> Hermione's actions and to the last person they said, No it did not show
> arrogance on Hermione's part, there was precedent for Hermione's actions and
> they don't get what the big deal with this is.

Kemper now:
When I bring it up to other avid fans, many feel Hermione acted in an
understanding manner too.  Most of those fans are not critical
analyzers of the text, our canon.  When I bring up Hermione's past
actions, the Wizard's cultural acceptance of memory wipes on Muggles,
and the deadly assumption that a memory wipe will keep Hermione and
her parents safe.  Their minds change.

> Lynda:
> One thing that's come up is did Hermione have her parents
> blessing/permission to do this and while on the face of it that would seem
> to be the way to go, on the other hand, is it really important that the
> readers know whether or not she did, or is it the same type of thing as is
> Professor McGonagall married and her spouse just not mentioned in the text?

Kemper now:
Professor McGonagall's marital status has no bearing on her character.
It's import for the readers to know that she received her permission
(or not) because it gets to her character.  If she received their
permission, it would show the reader that she at least asks permission
from someone.

Similarly, it would be important for the readers to know that
Slytherins played an active role in protecting Hogwarts in the final
battle when Slughorn came charging back with the towns folk.  But that
too is not in the books.  Sure, JKR later says they return but the
reader doesn't see it.  And we don't think to see it because the
Slytherin colors are noticeably absent from the Room of Requirement
according to Harry's perspective.  Had we seen colors in the RoR, I
think the reader would more likely assume that Slytherin student came
rushing back.  Or if JKR actually wrote the name of one or two, that
would be awesome too.  Perhaps the medium that must not be name will
fix that.


> Lynda:
> I think we sometimes assign motives and problems where there don't have to
> be any--I've mentioned that before. I think the old saying is to let
> sleeping dogs lie and that might be a good way to handle this type of thing,

Kemper now:
I think we sometimes deny motives and problems where they exist
because we're attached to a world view and to challenge that world
view would require some uncomfortable yet healthy change on our part.

Why should we never tickle a sleeping dragon for this?

Kemper