That's why I don't particularly like the resolutions for Neville and Ron in OotP. Especially that part where McGonagall, usually strict to the point where she appears disgusted by weakness (her description of Peter, her treatment of Neville in PoA and even GoF when she asks him, basically, not to let on how incompetent he is to the visitors); is all 'Your problem is a lack of confidence.' I mean, that's so general it could apply to anyone and anything. Not good at science? Lack of confidence. Bad at sports? Ditto. It's this idea that there are always excuses made for the 'good' guys (ironic, considering the reputation Slytherin fans have as 'apologists'!) - Harry didn't get picked for sports in primary? OMG, it can't be because he was no good. He's liek rilly fast, it's just that everyone was scared of Dudley. (skelkins actually wrote an essay on Calvinism in this series, which touches on this point. http://elkins.theennead.com/hp/archives/000149.html#top)
Hermione suffers from the terrible prejudice against muggleborns (which is never ever shown. Why, it's just like racism, as JKR compares it. Except we've never seen any indication that Muggleborns suffer either judicially (are more Muggleborns convicted/sentenced for longer?) or financially (are Muggleborns hired for less jobs? Is there a glass ceiling for them specifically?) But one person called her a derogatory name, so she is clearly TEH OPPRESSED) but is in actual fact, extremely talented at magic. Someone actually explained their problem with this theme, and D/Hr as a ship in specific: http://www.livejournal.com/users/ataniell93/287658.html?thread=1867690#t1867690
"Draco sees value in *Hermione* in this ship, not every other Gryffindor and Muggleborn who ever walked! He would either de-Muggle her by self-arguing about how *very* Wizardish she is, how bright she is, how much-- essentially-- she's not what she really is. Or else it would be how the rest of her category suffers in comparison to her-- Muggleborns are all that much worse because they're not only mudblooded, but *stupid* compared to his girlfriend."
Likewise, Neville fails not because he is cowardly (heavens forbid, a flaw!) or untalented, but because he lacks confidence. And as soon as he meets the standards of Harry and co by succeeding in duelling and hexing as opposed to Herbology which has no value in their eyes; he's suddenly able to accomplish wondrous feats. Aren't you relieved that he wasn't something icky, like stupid? Now he can go around attacking people like the rest of them - KEWL!
But of course, it doesn't apply both ways - Crabbe and Goyle for example? They don't suffer from low self esteem. They're just dumb. Yuck. And even though it's shallow to judge others by looks (the presentation of Veela for example, or sexualised females in general)? Hermione is actually really pretty. Not Pansy though. Not that it's important to be female and attractive. Just that Pansy isn't, Hermione is. Convenient, that.
Ron isn't quite so grievous an example (maybe because he's pureblood, and they're all stupid/ugly etc.) but still, the Quidditch match kind of irritated me. Not so much the chant change (although that was so twee it reminded me of a book in the 'Sweet Valley Twins: Unicorn Club: The Crazy Eights who are the Unicorn's sworn enemies, challenge our heroes to a bet. The Unicorns' stakes are that the loser has to sing 'Puff the Magic Dragon' in the cafeteria. Unfortunately, the Unicorns lose (it's a 'How much do you know about your friends?' quiz. Luckily, they realise that they lost because they're more individual ((and thus, better ;)) than the Eights!) and have to sing. However, they turn the tables on those mean old 8s and perform a 'cool' rap, to the acclaim of the school. And now I've frightened myself ;) But just the 'Look, Ron was just intimidated by Fred and George. And Harry's talent. Once they were all gone, it turns out he's really good!' Again, it doesn't work both ways - Draco's not intimidated by Harry, or Flint, or his father. He's just not as good. Ew.
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Date: 2004-11-18 10:12 am (UTC)Especially that part where McGonagall, usually strict to the point where she appears disgusted by weakness (her description of Peter, her treatment of Neville in PoA and even GoF when she asks him, basically, not to let on how incompetent he is to the visitors); is all 'Your problem is a lack of confidence.'
I mean, that's so general it could apply to anyone and anything. Not good at science? Lack of confidence. Bad at sports? Ditto.
It's this idea that there are always excuses made for the 'good' guys (ironic, considering the reputation Slytherin fans have as 'apologists'!) - Harry didn't get picked for sports in primary? OMG, it can't be because he was no good. He's liek rilly fast, it's just that everyone was scared of Dudley.
(skelkins actually wrote an essay on Calvinism in this series, which touches on this point. http://elkins.theennead.com/hp/archives/000149.html#top)
Hermione suffers from the terrible prejudice against muggleborns (which is never ever shown. Why, it's just like racism, as JKR compares it. Except we've never seen any indication that Muggleborns suffer either judicially (are more Muggleborns convicted/sentenced for longer?) or financially (are Muggleborns hired for less jobs? Is there a glass ceiling for them specifically?) But one person called her a derogatory name, so she is clearly TEH OPPRESSED) but is in actual fact, extremely talented at magic.
Someone actually explained their problem with this theme, and D/Hr as a ship in specific:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/ataniell93/287658.html?thread=1867690#t1867690
"Draco sees value in *Hermione* in this ship, not every other Gryffindor and Muggleborn who ever walked! He would either de-Muggle her by self-arguing about how *very* Wizardish she is, how bright she is, how much-- essentially-- she's not what she really is. Or else it would be how the rest of her category suffers in comparison to her-- Muggleborns are all that much worse because they're not only mudblooded, but *stupid* compared to his girlfriend."
Likewise, Neville fails not because he is cowardly (heavens forbid, a flaw!) or untalented, but because he lacks confidence.
And as soon as he meets the standards of Harry and co by succeeding in duelling and hexing as opposed to Herbology which has no value in their eyes; he's suddenly able to accomplish wondrous feats. Aren't you relieved that he wasn't something icky, like stupid? Now he can go around attacking people like the rest of them - KEWL!
But of course, it doesn't apply both ways - Crabbe and Goyle for example? They don't suffer from low self esteem. They're just dumb. Yuck.
And even though it's shallow to judge others by looks (the presentation of Veela for example, or sexualised females in general)? Hermione is actually really pretty. Not Pansy though. Not that it's important to be female and attractive. Just that Pansy isn't, Hermione is.
Convenient, that.
Ron isn't quite so grievous an example (maybe because he's pureblood, and they're all stupid/ugly etc.) but still, the Quidditch match kind of irritated me. Not so much the chant change (although that was so twee it reminded me of a book in the 'Sweet Valley Twins: Unicorn Club: The Crazy Eights who are the Unicorn's sworn enemies, challenge our heroes to a bet. The Unicorns' stakes are that the loser has to sing 'Puff the Magic Dragon' in the cafeteria. Unfortunately, the Unicorns lose (it's a 'How much do you know about your friends?' quiz. Luckily, they realise that they lost because they're more individual ((and thus, better ;)) than the Eights!) and have to sing. However, they turn the tables on those mean old 8s and perform a 'cool' rap, to the acclaim of the school.
And now I've frightened myself ;)
But just the 'Look, Ron was just intimidated by Fred and George. And Harry's talent. Once they were all gone, it turns out he's really good!'
Again, it doesn't work both ways - Draco's not intimidated by Harry, or Flint, or his father. He's just not as good. Ew.