Emotional abuse in Harry Potter

[MrsRogerLima]

Don't get me wrong, I love Harry Potter but I never thought about the Ron/Hermione thing this way before and she is SO RIGHT.

AIBU to think this is irresponsible in children's literature?

www.bustle.com/articles/198364-ron-hermiones-relationship-in-harry-potter-wasnt-just-disappointing-but-dangerous

@MrsMiaWallis

Not quite sure what of her 'politics' there are to hate. Last I checked, she was a children's author not a politician

Her views on gender then if you need it spelled out.

People are allowed different views on gender beliefs, don't equate to her books being symbolic of teenage abusive relationships. Saying women have periods doesn't mean her books are the most controversial bit of literature ever written, and need deep, scientific level analysis.

I totally agree. Even my DS (10) thinks Ron is mean to Hermione and it's not ok. She should have got together with Neville - or Ginny. Or just, y'know, been cool with being single.

@Snowdrop30

I totally agree. Even my DS (10) thinks Ron is mean to Hermione and it's not ok. She should have got together with Neville - or Ginny. Or just, y'know, been cool with being single.

Hermione who constantly puts Ron down ?

You know it’s just fiction right??

Dimid would you like to recommend something to us, that we can read to our daughters? (Or for them to read, because these weren’t books designed to be read aloud unless the parents were very strong of voice).

@DimidDavilby

Deeply unfeminist texts, I will not be reading them to my daughter. Herminone is the classic "bossy" girl so loved by children's book authors of the older generations. Sexist shite.

Of course you’ll be encouraging her to make her own choices about what she reads once she’s reading by herself, won’t you? Anything else would be rather “unfeminist”, don’t you think?

@DimidDavilby

Deeply unfeminist texts, I will not be reading them to my daughter. Herminone is the classic "bossy" girl so loved by children's book authors of the older generations. Sexist shite.

bet you're fun at parties.

I'm a bit worried about the Story of the Three Little Pigs. It rather rigidly portrays wolves as 'bad' which is specist and bigoted.

Also, so unoriginal to portray the wolf as carnivorous when they could have made they/them a vegan.

@MrsMiaWallis

I think she is amazing and I have no respect for people who write articles - or mumsnet threads - trying to damage her legacy

That is a bit cringeworthy.

You know what I find cringeworthy?

Pretending the world's most successful author isn't worthy of praise or admiration.

Whatever you think of her stance of gender, and however much your want to dismiss her portrayal of women or whatever it was that your daughter devoted an entire EPQ to, she has captured the imaginations of millions, and her world building and plotting, her talent is undeniable. That is her legacy.

You and your dd can cat's bum face all you like about it.

@Ereshkigalangcleg

I'm a bit worried about the Story of the Three Little Pigs. It rather rigidly portrays wolves as 'bad' which is specist and bigoted.

Also, so unoriginal to portray the wolf as carnivorous when they could have made they/them a vegan.

The pigs should have invited they/them in for a vegan dinner. None of that problematic conflict stuff.

Perhaps MN needs more threads that tell women what an awful person JKR is and how awful her writing is. The OPs all seem to present cogent, well-thought through arguments and respond to questions while clearly not having a wider agenda beyond whichever hook is used to show JKR's writing is uniquely terrible. Eventually, MN will understand what it should instinctively think without needing to be repeatedly told by individual posters who clearly don't have any broader objective.

I have never read a JKR book but I certainly believe in freedom of speech and I hope she continues to express her views and I hope all of use are allowed to pick the most interesting, violent or whatever else takes our fancy fairy stories for our small children from Red Riding Hood to the Babes in the Wood.

@Zilla1

Perhaps MN needs more threads that tell women what an awful person JKR is and how awful her writing is. The OPs all seem to present cogent, well-thought through arguments and respond to questions while clearly not having a wider agenda beyond whichever hook is used to show JKR's writing is uniquely terrible. Eventually, MN will understand what it should instinctively think without needing to be repeatedly told by individual posters who clearly don't have any broader objective.

😂 The little women of Mumsnet need to get an education.

And what is most interesting is how all this bile has come out only after TWAW shite. They are getting so desperate it is fun to watch.

Laughing at the comments about Ron being mean to Hermione. They are as bad as each other. Hermione is always critical of Ron.

Deeply unfeminist texts, I will not be reading them to my daughter. Herminone is the classic "bossy" girl so loved by children's book authors of the older generations. Sexist shite

Or perhaps it’s you that is sexist? Clever, driven girl not afraid to speak out is “bossy”? Heard that so many times. Same as any woman who dares raise her voice or show negative emotion is “hormonal” or having a tantrum.

If hermione’s character had been male, she would have been the main character, and a leader, not a “bossy girl”.

Anyway as to the o/p i never thought ron was good enough for hermione. She’s intelligent and achieving, she would have gone on to oxbridge and academia while ron stayed in their hometown and married an equally nice-but-dim girl he idolises.

Why do we now have to do this thing of revisiting Harry Potter every few weeks with new Twitter values?

These are imaginary characters... but can I object to the thought that an intelligent adult woman can’t choose to marry someone less academic?

Matching A levels and degree classes might be good for some but one partner being more academically talented than the other might be the right choice for some women.

Including magical ones, who didn’t go to university anyway, dropping out in this case after OWLs at 16...

@user1471565182

Why do we now have to do this thing of revisiting Harry Potter every few weeks with new Twitter values?

Because thanks to Twitter we have a Venn diagram:

Harry Potter Fans

Immature People Who Take Everything Personally And Lack Critical Thinking Skills

In the middle it's pure JKR froth and anything in her life she has said, done or written regardless of how irrelevant, nonsensical or untruthful it is.

Its like whole swatches of people dont realise fiction can simply be a reflection of (often fantasy) life. Why does everything have to be taken as a morality tale? to make english teachers lives easier?

These are imaginary characters... but can I object to the thought that an intelligent adult woman can’t choose to marry someone less academic?

My comment wasn’t so much about her not marrying someone as academic (i’m married to someone with barely any o’levels) but their pathways in life are so clearly different. One would have to significantly compromise- ron’s a homebody like his parents, that’s not Hermione’s life choice. She’s off to rule the world, and has the potential to do so.

The relationship with ron seems like are far bigger compromise on her ideals than his.

Yes I know they’re fictional, and I know I’m projecting, but I was alway a bit Wtf JK, you hat the opportunity to make this one of the most powerful women in the ‘verse, but you chose to send her down the traditional “womens” roles.

TBH I find those who've decided to hate her because of her twitter comments and those on mumsnet who vanished up her rectum after making them equally ridiculous.

Ron/Hermione didn’t last.
Ron went backpacking to Peru and decided to stay there. He makes quite good money as a tour guide and plays a bit of Saturday quidditch.
Hermione married a highly skilled wizard from Switzerland and lives in a house on Lake Geneva. Her favourite guest is Professor McGonagall, who visits every summer.

I personally find Ron is a bit of a misogynistic b*, yet I absolutely enjoy the books and love JK.
The bits about Ron that make me squirm are:
Ron continually making personal comments about Louise Midgeon (love Hermione telling him off though!)
Snide comments about Moaning Myrtle.
Snobbishness about Luna.
The whole Hermione/Krum love triangle and Ron's behaviour.
The whole 'we'll end up with a pair of trolls' Yule ball attitude.
Ignoring of Padma Patel after she gives him a pity date.
Treatment of Lavender.
General unwillingness to forgive small slights or accidents (Scanners/ Harry as Goblet of Fire school champion/ Hermione kicking his ass in class.)
Dumbledore absolutely seems to have the sum of him giving him the 'Put Outer', which is interesting as they generally remark Dumbledore doesn't know him very well.
To me it's obvious he's a bit of a jerk.
I think I read somewhere JK was originally going to kill him off. Instead she killed off Fred, who generally comes across as a bit better than Ron.
Not that I have thought about it too much lol!