Gender Roles in Harry Potter

Girls in young adult legerdemain novels tend to fargon rather patheticly, especially in the light of Susan from the Chronicles of Narnia. WhenAslanadmits theP howeversiesinto paradise, Susan is barred because she has forget Narnia and is more(prenominal) interested in stockings and the real adult world, because she has dared to want to grow up. Jill Pole comments a? Shes interested in nonhing nowa twenty-four hour periods pull nylons and lipstick and invitationsa? 1. C. S. Lewis presents a conservative view of girls in the fantasy genre, that they will be drawn into their cause adolescent fantasies and will abandon the lower-ranking world.Philip Pullman compounds this with his treatment of Lyra in the His raunchy Materials trilogy where she is the protagonist in the first novel but cedes decision making and power to Will by the remaining narrative. Hermione husbandman starts extinct challenging this conservative view but ultimately she is turned into a mother and sideline d from the world of military action. Her role spays through the novel and this is not callable merely to the maturation of the character as she ages but also the needs of the male dominated groups around her, from the coach group with kindle and Ron to the Order of the Phoenix.A fast(a) glance offers the view that between 11 and 15 she is more rebellious whilst between the ages of 16 and 17 she takes on a sisterly role before her final appearance as a mother. In the evoke tinker novelsHermioneis variously a bookish individual who supports and guides chivvy through her research and usage. She is the plethoric force in Harryas success until the sixth novel,Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, where her role as Harryas educator is interpreted byDumbledore. ElizaDresangsees Hermione as being far more successful than she is made out to be byFarahMendlesohn.Hermione gains execution and is able to take more control of her note thanMendlesohngives her credit for through her own actions, finding a? evidence in the text to be analyzeably more optimistic somewhat Hermiones self-rule than does Mendlesohna? 2through her determination about being sorted by the Hat and a? refuses to be deterred from her purposes, whether it be learning, admonishing about rules or championing the at a lower placedoga? 3. Mendlesohn comments that a? Hermione is accepted in the social structure of the indoctrinate notwithstanding because she is Harrys frienda? and that a? radicalism, as embodied by Hermione, is irrational, ignorant, and essentially transienta? 5. though her attempts at freeing the house-elves are doomed, she is more successful at galvanising her peers and modify Harrys success through her contributions. There is another issue to consider though and that is one of genre. The first five Harry Potter books are clearly school stories. Motifs, such as the annual arrival via the steam match and the term times with the enforced stay over Christmas, come from t his genre.Instead of yet competing in sports for honour such as Quidditch, house points are awarded or taken away for behaviour or acts of bravery. In the final 2 novels, the structure of the novels change to being a more conventional fantasy series wherein Harry must defeatVoldemort in a final conflict. This switch to the fantastic, in particular a male dominated fantastic world, means that Hermione must change roles to remain in the world since we rarely see any lone witches who have not turned to Voldemort such as Bellatrix Lestrange. This change of genre changes the expectations put on the characters by readers and the roles which they play.School stories, in the mould of Enid BlytonsMaloryTowers orSt Clares,offerthe reader a tale of a group of children who go on adventures circumscri retreat in scale by location, an isolated school, and time, terms end and the year is punctuated by holidays. They offer a degree ofcarnivalesqueexpressed in the capers of the students which ar e tamed by the teachers but also a continuing discourse of maturation and acculturation to the wider adult world which must be entered. Parents exist at the keenness of the tosh, referred to in letters or bringing their children to school.Once the anarchic time at school comes to an end, the parents represent the roles that the children will adopt. The fantastic world that Rowling constructs is one which begins as potentially subversive with Hermione challenging comprehend wrongs and gaining a more powerful agency in the world through her knowledge. As she matures, the world is fully extended historic pig bedwarts and becomes deeply conservative and male dominated and Hermione has to re-ascertain her social stand on the edge of the group, her enabling agency now of no direct use to Harry.Hermione matures in the series changing from the shy, bookish outsider to being, in effect, a big sister character to Harry and Ron but at the cost of her own agency and talents. As she matur es into this role, she changes from being an inquisitive person, pushing her own bounds of knowledge and even her sanity, to being slightly calmer but clearly not of equal standing with Ron and Harry who are allowed to take active roles into world. When we first meet Hermione on the train going toHogwarts, Rowling presents her an unkempt, exploring child unafraid to make new friends or to go up and visit the train driver.She is described as having a? a bossy voice, lots of bushy brown hair and rather large preliminary teetha? (Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, p 79) and already wearing the school colours. She interrupts Ron and Harry who are tucking into a carriage way feast of sweets. Curious, she challenges Ron to show him the magic humbug which he is attempting. As the train approaches the station, she encourages the two boys to don their robes and questions whether they have been fighting already. Her drive towards perfection is shown in her encyclopaedic knowledge of t he school drawn from construe the history.Already knowing the reason for the enchanted ceiling, she attains a position in the newly formed social triumvirate as the knowledge repository. Hermione comes back from the school holidays a day early whilst the friends are trying to find out who NicholasFlamelis and is a? torn between the horror at the idea of Harry being out of bed and disappointment that he hadnt at least found out who Nicholas Flamel wasa? (Philosophers Stone,p158). Her curiosity and good behaviour are at odds since she is assured that the reception may well lie in the forbidden section of the subroutine library but that entrytransgressesthe school rules.Although it is Harry who discovers Flamel by accident on the back of the collectors card he got on the train, it is Hermione who links him to the Philosophers Stone through a book she got a? out of the library weeks ago for a bit light reading a? (Philosophers Stone, p. 161). Rons only comment, a? Light? a? (Philos ophers Stone, p. 161), a confidential discipline that knowledge is not highly prized in Hogwarts as opposed toQuidditch. It was Hermione who noticed that Fluffy was standing on the trapdoor (Philosophers Stone, p120), a fact that both Ron and Harry missed. Yet her achievements come at a social price.Hermiones adherence to the school rules is shown inPhilosophers Stoneafter the finding of the trapdoor at night. When Harry receives a new broom after the destruction of his old one, her comments a? So I suppose you think thats a reward for breaking rules? a? (Philosophers Stonep. 123). Her forthrightness about the midnight incident is tempered by the argument with Ron and Harry. She is clearly upset by their reaction which is made worse by Rons careless comment about her not having any friends. Rushing past Harry, he notices that she is crying (Philosophers Stonep. 127).When the troll is announced, both boys recognize that it has gone to the girls toilets where Hermione is trapped. W hen Professor McGonagall enters, Hermione lies to protect them all and claims that she wanted to tackle the troll herself. Although this means that a? from that moment on, Hermione Granger became their frienda? (Philosophers Stone, p. 132), she can only do so by lying to a teacher and so overturns her previous rigid adherence to rules. She has to adopt the boys own world view. InHarry Potter and the sleeping room of Secrets, Hermione offers to make the Polyjuice Potion to see what Malfoy knows about the chambers opening.She tricksLockhartinto signing a slip for MostPotentePotions to fool the Librarian (Chamber of Secrets, p. 124). When Ron says that they will need to slip ones mind from Professor Snapes private stores, she retorts a? Well, if you two are going to chicken out, fineIdont want to break the rules you know. a? (Chamber of Secrets, p. 125). Hermione is aware that they have already obtained a permission slip that Lockhart has signed without realising what it is (using hi s own arrogance), that the recipe relies upon illicit goods and that the boys cannot discover Malfoys perceived role without trickery.Despite her protestations about the rules, she is aware that these will need to be broken to be successful. When they come to making the potion, the group need parts of their victims and Hermione is too hasty in pickings some hair from MillicentBulstrodein Wrestling and accidentally turns herself into a cat much to Myrtles delight, a? Wait till everyone finds out youve got ataila? (Chamber of Secrets, p. 169). Whilst Ron and Harry have used her Sleeping Potion to knock outCrabbeandGoyle, Malfoys henchmen, Hermiones own attempt has backfired and so she is inefficient to attention get information from Malfoy.Her overachievement turns her into a figure of fun. Although she is able to assimilate Harry and Rons worldview into her own perceptions, she is unable to fully join their world although she is the enabler for their plans through the potion and th e linking together of the clues inPhilosophers Stone. Her overachievement comes to a head in theHarry Potter and the Prisoner ofAzkabanwhen she is given the use of the Time-Turner. In Snapes Potions class, Neville is aided by Hermione to perfect the Shrinking result but when Ron and Harry turn to challenge her after the deduction of points, she disappears only to reappear a few minutes ater with her bag falling apart through weight of books. When she brushes off Rons challenge about the contents, he muses a? Do you get the feeling Hermiones not telling us something? a? (Prisoner of Azkaban, p. 99). Clearly Hermione is unable to tell the boys about ProfessorMcGonagallsgift of the Time Turner. In the Defence against the no-count Arts exam, Hermione comes into contact with theBoggartand after a? a minute inside it theBoggartstrunk, she burst out again, screaminga? (Prisoner of Azkaban, p. 234).The Boggart, which presents worst fears, has suggested to her that Professor McGonagall wil l fail her in an exam, so her fears of schoolman and also personal harm come to the fore. Ron is still inclined to laugh at Hermiones fear since he will not excel academically. Despite their close bond, Hermiones academic achievements have always separated her from the boys. It is only when the situation demands that time is altered that she is able to tell Harry. When they fail to saveBuckbeakthe first time,Dumbledoresuggests to Hermione that the situation can be deliver by going backwards and Hermione confesses to Harry, a?Ive been using it all year to get to all my lessonsa? (Prisoner of Azkaban, p. 289) but she still cannot work out why Dumbledore has suggested going back three hours. It is up to Harry to formulate the plan to save theHippogriffand Sirius. Once again, Hermiones mental achievements enable Harry but she is unable to complete the reasoning for the shift in time. Hermione proves herself via her academic prowess and enables Harry and Ron to complete various challe nges. She is the person to whom the boys go when they have difficulties with the homework. Lupin praises heras the a? inest witch of her agea? (Prisoner of Azkaban, p 253)in the Shrieking Shackas she becomes hysterical at his perceived betrayal of her loyalty, a? I didnt tell anyone Ive been covering up for youa? (Prisoner of Azkaban, p 253). Her need to prove herself academically is challenged and Rons reaction is to want to laugh. Despite her achievement and regular help for Harry and Ron, it is only the teachers who really prize her accomplishments. She is the character most probably to fail through overachievement. Her role is clearly defined in the school story as the swot.The school story genre allows her this room as a defined role but it she must adapt when the genre changes to a conservative high fantasy wherein gender roles are somewhat different. During theHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, she reverts to the quiet studious Hermione of the first novel when Harry get s themagickedversion of the potions book. As Harry falls under its spell and useful marginalia, she becomes increasingly exasperated at his lack of work or effort in the class commenting a? Well, it wasnt exactly your own work, was it? a? (Half-Blood Prince, p 182).She and Ginny are protective of Harry and test the spell book which he has picked up, though they do not see the inscription claiming it is the office of the Half-Blood prince. With the aid of Ginny Weasley, she also defends him during the setting up of the self-help Dark Arts group, theacronymedDA, inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Gathering the curious students together in the Hogs Head, she comments a? well I thought it would be good if we, well, took matters into our own hands And by that I mean learning how to defend ourselves properly, not just in theory but doing the real spella? Half-Blood Prince, p 303). though she is instrumental in gathering the class, she immediately reverts to her supporting role and allows Harry to contend the events at the end ofHarry Potter and the Goblet of Firewhere he met the revived Voldemort. Her tenure as Prefect inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenixshows her stop theWeasleytwins from recruiting junior members of the school to test their antic wares,saying a? I told you this morning, you cant test your rubbish on students a? (Order of the Phoenix, p 229) whilst Ron, her fellow Prefect, looks on from the side.Although she is active in keeping the more extreme elements of the carnivalesque from taking over the school in the form of the Weasley brothers joke wares, it does mark the apogee of the progression from swot to Prefect in the school novel. Though these roles are usually played by various characters in the school story genre, Rowling has rolled them into one person who exemplifies the qualities of Hogwarts and, in particular,Gryffindor. Though Hermione is keen on the maintenance of the status quo, she becomes increasingly vocal against the abuse of power in two areas.She has mixed success but it allows her to retain her role in the social cohesion of the friendship group and to begin organising others in the school. Firstly she challenges a perceived abuse of the house elves by thewizardingclasses and sets up the Society for the Protection of Elvish Welfare, SPEW. This act comes afterDobbyis freed by Harry inHarry Potter and Chamber of Secrets. Hermione starts knitting hats to free the elves from their slave positions at Hogwarts inOrder of the Phoenixand when challenged about this by Ron, exclaims a? Of course they want to be free a? (Order of the Phoenix, p 230).Whilst it may mirrorRowlingsown time working for Amnesty International, she undermines Hermione by having Dobby pick up all the hats as the elves are offended by them. Though she gains the partial support of Dumbledore as he explains to Harry that he had encouragedSiriusto treatKreacherwith kindness(Order of the Phoenix, p 733),Ron and Harry dismiss her efforts. To an extent, she loves hopeless causes and sets out to free the elves disdain their reluctance to change their positions. Secondly, she attacks the misuses of authority by teachers, such as Severus Snape and DoloresUmbridge.InPrisoner ofAzkaban, Snape takes over Lupinas classes while he recovers from his change. Ignoring the class protests he begins to set them work which will provide clues to Lupinas condition and Hermione protests(Prisoner of Azkaban, p128) which encourages Ron to defend her and receive detention. She becomes increasingly agitated bySnapeasmanner and challenges him through questions. Though she has been able to answer the questions that he puts to the class since the first book, earning his contempt, she now uses these as a challenge to his authority through passive disruption.InOrder of the Phoenix, Dolores Umbridge attempts to run a school ground on the traditional school model of learning the theory of Defence against the Dark Arts rather than prac tical lessons. Hermione listens toUmbridgeaslong speech which sets out the rationale for the coming changes. During the first Defence against the Dark Arts lesson she immediately questionsUmbridgeaspassive stance through using Umbridges insistence on pupils raising their hands to ask questions (Order of the Phoenix, p 217-218). Asking the question, she repeats herself when the answer is not forthcoming.Hermione continues this with the creation of the Dark Arts orDumbledoreasArmy group. As Umbridge tries to get around down on any nascent dissent against the Ministry of Magicas policy, Hermione comes up with the plan of setting a group to rectify the lack of practical training. facing the belief that Harry killedCedric,fuelledby the Daily Prophet, she motivates the students to come together and to learn practical defence. As she does this she comments a? dyou know I think Im feeling a bit rebelliousa? (Order of the Phoenix, p 559).Rather than continuing her challenge to misplaced a uthority, once the school story ends, she moves towards the role of the sister. Whilst on the run from the Ministry of Magic inHarry Potter and the Deathly HallowsHarry confesses to Ron that Hermione is a? like a sister,a? he went on a? I love her like a sister and I reckon she feels the same about mea? (Deathly Hallows, p308). To some degree she follows the path ofLyrain Pullmans His Dark Materials trilogy where the she develops her challenges early on but end up giving up independence.Before she meets Will, Lyra is free to challenge the authority figures around her but after the meeting, when Will is cooking an omelette, he commands a? Find a couple of plates he said, and Lyra obediently did soa? (The pernicious Knifep 25). After the defeat of Voldemort, we see her and Ron on Platform 9 A? s waving their children off on the Hogwarts express. The action occurs around Harry and Ron with Hermione chiding them when they see Scorpius, Dracos son, with a?Dont try to turn them against e ach other before theyve even started schoola? (Deathly Hallows, p605). She is keen to maintain stability in the world for the children. As she develops into adolescence, she moves away from her rebellious side straight into motherhood, so avoiding Susans fate in the Chronicles of Narnia. Though she moves into adolescence, she is faithful to Ron, declaring her love for him in theDeathly Hallows. Despite Lupins proclamation of her talent, we finally see Hermione taking her children to platform 9 A?.She avoids Susans banishment from the magical world because she cares for her friends and, ultimately, children and is not selfish as Susan is implied to be by Aslan in the quotation at the beginning of this essay. Yet it seems a poor fate for all her achievements. The boarding school genre allows Hermione to excel academically and be an equal to Harry and Ron. She develops and is capable of taking on teaching duties and, it would appear, likely to followMinervaMcGonagallas the archetypal s pinster teacher. She is the archetypal swot who becomes Prefect as she gets to the end of her school years.Her insistence upon hardwork and her dislike of cheats, even if they are her friends, show Hermiones fealty to maintaining order, though not at any price. She also takes on what appear to be hopeless causes, the release of the elves and then challenges against misused authority, despite the ridicule of her peers. Hermione stands against contrast and tries to effect change. Dumbledore is the only person who backs her stance, and this is only very partially, as he explains to Harry. Dealing with her own social group, she is more effective in galvanising her peers into forming the Dark Arts group.Yet she is on the edge of the social group. On the train to Hogwarts, it is Harry who accepts her into the nascent group and then more firmly once the troll is overcome in the bathrooms. Once theOWLshave been taken, Hermione moves away from being the bright academic, her role in helpin g with Ron and Harry finishing their homework redundant, to being involved in maintaining the group with Ron and Harry through her caring for both boys. It is only Hermione who can cope with the real world of Oxford Street before they manage to get into more magical territory.The school narrative allows Hermione to blossom as an individual as the closed world of Hogwarts bars the real world and gives her space as a person. Once the real world begins to encroach, she begins to move away from her academic achievements and into the big sister role. At one level Rowling sees Hermione as a caricature of her school memories but at another, the Harry Potter series fails to address the idea that girls can do more than become mothers or spinster teachers. In Narnia thePevensiechildren are either kept in childlike paradise away from ever growing up or they are ejected from paradise for thinking of the adult world.In His Dark Materials, Lyra moves from challenging the misplaced authority of Mr sCoulterand LordAsrielto leaving Will to make all the decisions. Hermiones own contributions to the group come through enabling Harry to complete tasks with the requisite knowledge that she can find or discern. Once the fight against Voldemort moves into Harrys own history, only Dumbledore can help Harry. Whilst on the run inDeathly Hallows, it is Hermione who tries to keep the group together and to work out Dumbledores final clue in the book of queen regnant tales. She is a catalyst for those around her and remains sidelined.Whilst she shows that she can develop herself againstMendlesohnsanalysis through her own talent,Dresangsassertion that Hermione gains strength through empowering others is shown to only be partial she sacrifices her individual power and role to help recreate a safe world. Once she has enable Harry, Rowling moves her into a maternal role, her highest honour. It short changes the crone that Lupin described as the brightest of her age. Bibliography Jackson, Rose mary,Fantasy The Literature of Subversion(Routledge, London, 1981) Lewis, C. S. ,The Last Battle(Harper Collins, London, 2005)Moorcock, Michael,Wizardry and Wild Romance A Study of Epic Romance(Gollancz, London, 1987) Pullman, Philip,The Subtle Knife(Scholastic, London, 1997, 2001 reprint) Rotruck, Amie Rose, Where Have All the Tomboys Gone? 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