[the_old_crowd] Re: Essay on H/H in light of OoP (long, VERY long) (SHIP, mostly SHIP)

[pennylin]

Hi --

<<<<<Oh well, if we're going to talk about the *series* then we have to 
ask who the heroine of the *series* is.  It's been a matter of 
some disappointment, especially to Hermione's  fans, that 
Rowling hasn't really done as much with Hermione's character 
as she could have. Hermione took  her position as Harry's friend 
about halfway through Book One, and there she has stayed, 
apart from occasional tiffs.Their friendship has deepened, but 
basically Harry and the reader see Hermione the same way in 
Book Five as she was in Book One: a staunch supporter, a 
clever ally, a bit of a nag, and a walking talking reference book.>>>>>>>

Oh, Hermione has been anything but a disappointment to this huge Fan-of-Hermione!  No, no, no.  See, Hermione has been *increasing* in importance, both to Harry, to the Trio dynamic, and to the reader.  Granted, she enters the scene in Book 1 later than Ron does, but she quickly becomes integral to the story.  It's really Harry and Hermione who solve the basilisk riddle in CoS, even though Petrified!Hermione is not mentally present for the actual solution.  <G>  Ron doesn't contribute anything to that discussion, though he certainly gets lots of points for bravery for facing Aragog et al and being willing to go down the chamber with Harry.  In PoA, we see again that Ron is taken out of action and it's Harry and Hermione who save Buckbeak and Sirius (even Sirius, it must be noted, succumbs to the dementors, whilst Harry-the-Hero remains standing).  Hermione is incredibly important to the overall PoA story, and this H/H shipper and Hermione fan absolutely can't wait to see the movie version of PoA, which should in fact fix some fairly clear romantic cinematic imagery in the minds of the general public, looking at the shots they've already released in Newsweek.  <g> And, of course, we see Hermione becoming a stronger character in her own right in GoF with SPEW, the Yule Ball, etc.  Also, in GoF we see the continued strengthening of her relationship with Harry, and the continued shunting of Ron to the background.  So, I think it's a trend that has been in play since book 1: this increasing spotlight on Hermione and this increasing spotlight on Harry and Hermione as a partnership, a duo.  

I do think the series has some gender "issues," but Hermione's strong portrayal drastically undercuts other areas of weakness.  Minerva McGonagall is another reason I am not overly troubled by Rowling's depiction of gender.  But, while some people can make credible arguments for there being gender role portrayal problems in the series, I fail to see how any reader could have expected Rowling to do more with Hermione than she already has.  What more could she have done with Hermione's character than she has?  As this is indeed new information to me, I'm genuinely curious as to what the arguments might be.    

<<<<<<<<Harry's  relationship with Ginny is far more dynamic, including 
the  rescue in Book Two ( much more dramatic than the rescue 
of Hermione in Book Three) and his changing view of her 
character in OOP.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Harry's view of Ginny doesn't change though or, at least, we don't see him thinking about it (other than saying off-handedly, "Oh so that's why she suddenly talks around me now").  Everything we learn about Ginny is given to us in the form of tidbits from her brothers or information imparted by *Hermione.*  Just as Cho and her emotions are filtered almost entirely through Hermione, Ginny is largely filtered through a combination of her brothers and Hermione.  We don't see Harry discovering things about Ginny by direct interaction with Ginny herself to any great extent.   

<<<Rowling has said that Luna is the anti-Hermione. Ginny, I would 
say, is becoming the anti-Cho: undivided in her loyalty to Harry, 
unshakably good-humored, and able to take Harry's moods in 
stride.>>>>>>>>

Well, Hermione is likewise fiercely loyal to Harry, and certainly able to stand her ground with Harry.  I don't know that we saw much evidence of Ginny taking his moods in stride so much as we do from Hermione.  Yes, Ginny reminds him that she knows what it's like to be possessed by Voldemort, and yes, she tells him once not to "take that tone" with her.  But, Hermione stands up to him and his moods with much more frequency, I would say.

<<<<<<Also you'll note that Harry  left Hermione during the fight 
with the DE's. When she was unconscious and defenseless, it 
was Ron who stayed by her side, paralleling Book One where 
Hermione leaves Harry and goes back to tend the unconscious 
Ron.>>>>>>>>>>>>

You mean the Ron who was babbling nonsense because he was being choked by the brains?  Him?  I don't know that he *chose* to remain by Hermione so very much.  Harry had an intense reaction to Hermione's being knocked unconscious by the spell and thought dead for a moment or two ....... we see him barely sparing a thought to the injuries suffered by Ginny and Luna and even Ron.  He asked Neville to see Hermione to safety, and it was Neville who said he'd carry her and stay with Harry.  So, really, it was Neville much more than Ron who made a choice to remain with Hermione.  [I'd far rather see Hermione hook up with Neville than with Ron, btw].  I'm not sure what you're referring to by saying that Ron chose to remain with unconscious and defenseless!Hermione, really.  When the 2 groups meet back up, Ron's in no condition to be any help to anyone.  Am I misremembering?  

Penny
(always and evermore the ultimate Hermione fan........)


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