Weekly Discussion: The Women of Harry Potter

[victoriasong]

This is basically a discussion on the women portrayed in JK Rowling's world of Harry Potter. From the good to the bad, to the minor characters, to the major characters such as Hermione. Give me your thoughts and feelings on what you think JK Rowling's portrayal of the different types of female (there are SOOO many) in Harry Potter.

Comments

[mango_bango27]

I love that there are so many different women in the Harry Potter series who all have different strengths and weaknesses.

My favorite would undoubtedly be Hermione, because I feel like I grew up with her and she is the most fully formed character on the page (imo).

I have noticed, and it does bother me, that I feel like I'm supposed to only like a certain "type" of woman. It seemed to me that J.K. stacked the deck and made the more feminine women either mockable (Lavender) or pitiable (Cho). I do NOT like how Cho was treated, I hate the idea that crying and emotions are a weakness. I see it as part of sexism because women are socialized to show their emotions more but also shamed for it, when there is nothing wrong with having strong emotions or being sensitive.

I feel like J.K. handled Fleur well. I don't like how we are supposed to find it funny when Ginny, Molly, and Hermione mocked her in the beginning, but later it turns out that Fleur is actually a very strong person and not nearly as shallow as she was portrayed at first. I appreciated how her characterization was deepened as the series went on.

This is one of my favorite parts of the books:

"You thought that I would not weesh to marry him? Or per'aps you hoped? What do I care how he looks? I am good-looking enough for both of us, I theenk! All these scars show is zat my husband is brave!"

I like this part because it shows that Molly was wrong to think Fleur was shallow and only with Bill for his looks, but it also shows that Fleur is VERY confident in her looks and is not ashamed of that. I love that about her! She is also a very strong person to be willing to stick with Bill and help take care of him for better or worse. Even though she is not a main character I think Fleur has one of the more interesting characterizations in the whole series.

[annielumiere]

You should be proud of this comment, bb.

[fleurdelacour]

yes yes yes yes on the fleur part

especially considering her biology as not fully human herself and how its likely biologically engrained in her to find/notice physical faults in other people (idk I assume I really want to learn more about veela ;_;)

and bills face being ruined yet she doesn't care

thats not the same fleur from GoF for sure omg I love her growth and how she retains her strength at the same time :33

[lopop7]

fleur is flawless as is this comment<3333