Why Harry Picked Ginny, Rather Than Hermione, As A Romantic Partner

[gowdie]

Greetings! I originally posted this essay on a Harry/Ginny community and someone recommended that it would receive an interested audience here as well. It is a study of the mix of sexual attraction and humour in regards to Harry and Ginny

Comments

[gowdie]

I tried to cover the pretty part - I said that being pretty wasn't enough. I tried to acknowledge that Harry does consider Ginny pretty - and is quite fond of her appearance. However, he has always known she is pretty - but wasn't interested until he discovers the trait that really gets him sexually interested - her humour. Also - I try to acknowledge that he does consider Hermione pretty - but that even so, she doesn't catch his physical interest - so clearly there is something else that Harry is looking for in a romantic relationship. It's about the combination of the two - he wants someone that fits his definition of physically attractive AND who sparks his sexual attraction by appealing to his main source of pleasure - humour.

As for Ron/Hermione and humour - I didn't get into what Hermione wants because that would be another ten pages. ;-P But I tried to hint at my theory in the last paragraph. I don't think humour is Hermione's main source of pleasure. That is something specific to Harry and Ginny. Hermione derives her pleasure from debate - and she is going to be sexually interested in someone who lights that particular fire. And that is Ron.

Hee - the point of the last paragraph was kind of to say, "Okay, I've covered Harry/Ginny - now if someone wants to pick up the Hermione/Ron sexual attraction essay, they are welcome to it."

As for Mary-Sue, I respectfully disagree. Mostly because I think Ginny does have faults. Harry just doesn't necessarily see them because at the moment he is overwhelmed by his attraction to her. He is in that, "Oh! She is so wonderful and perfect!" stage. But the objective reader can see that is part of Harry's bias.

[thalia_seawood]

Excellent essay!

I have to admit that I did not like Ginny in book 6 and I had been wondering why Rowlings all of a sudden gave us Perfect!Ginny. What you write in this paragraphy explains it. Yes, of course, as always we see the world through Harry's eyes - and Ginny is perfect because he's in love. Thanks for helping me to get it. :-)

As for Mary-Sue, I respectfully disagree. Mostly because I think Ginny does have faults. Harry just doesn't necessarily see them because at the moment he is overwhelmed by his attraction to her. He is in that, "Oh! She is so wonderful and perfect!" stage. But the objective reader can see that is part of Harry's bias.

[gowdie]

Wow - thank you!

[gowdie]

Here's the thing though, I don't understand how you can say Ginny doesn't have on page faults, since you have clearly found them. You don't like her - and that's fine. She clearly pushes a lot of hot buttons for a lot of people. But the point I'm trying to make is that Harry liking her and thinking she's perfect doesn't make her a Mary-Sue.

And I do get what you are saying about other characters - but I also think that's there. It's not huge - because Harry isn't spending a lot of time on it, he just wants to admire her - but it is there.

One example: Molly - who does not like Fleur - does not like Ginny calling her Phlegm. While Molly doesn't particularly approve of Bill's choice - she is trying to keep a peaceful house - and Ginny isn't helping. Hermione also tries to be more diplomatic - she doesn't engage in the name-calling.

More on this point, I feel sorry for Fleur. I get why she is annoying - but she is the first woman to come into this house, to marry one of Molly's beloved sons, and she is reviled. And I think it is quite clear from her reaction to Molly at the end of the book that Fleur has been quite aware of what the women think of her. It has to be very hard for her.

And I do think this is an example of Ginny being immature - I wish she would work harder to get to know the girl Bill has brought home - to welcome her into the family. I think a Mary-Sue would be more likely to defend Fleur, to take her side even despite her annoying qualities.

Another: Ron is very hurt by the things Ginny has to say about the kissing incident. And he takes that hurt and expresses in a way that nearly destroys his relationship with Hermione. Ginny isn't directly held to account - because we often aren't, and Ron also is ultimately responsible for his own actions - but there are very negative consequences of that fight and the words Ginny throws at her brother.

Again - Harry doesn't get into all this - he is too busy thinking about how she makes him feel all squishy on the inside. But the evidence is there.