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

I'm ashamed to say I read all the series too. It's like having a can of stale Pringles once you start..

That is a perfect description. I am very pleased that DD has been aghast at the relationships, and cannot see the romance in it, that was quite a relief.

We wouldn’t have known this if you hadnt pointed it out, right?
The insinuation that loads of us have seen Harry Potter characters as either heroes or villains is really childish and patronising

Eh? Wasn’t insinuating anything. Or suggesting it was a completely novel idea.

Just musing “aloud”. Never really put much thought into the HP books before but was enjoying this thread.

[quote PoleToPole]**@TheBuffster thanks, I have read them myself, and I actually think they are an excellent cautionary tale for girls to read

Not the intention of them obviously, but they are brilliant at illustrating different kinds of shitty relationships, and not just Bella/Edward/Jacob, all of the other relationships are equally unhealthy, Rose and Emmett perhaps a bit less so.[/quote]
It's ridiculous how fascinated I had been with the twilight books and the "love" stories. All dreamy eyed and sighing.

However, years on and I can barely remember them whereas my love for Harry Potter is still burning strong and I'm now sharing it with DD.

As I grow I find different sides to it and the characters as well (so it keeps being "new")and my favourite characters have changed quite a bit from "my first time".

From twilight,bar the 3 and the kid I can't even remember anyone's names,much less their personalities and stories.

@itssquidstella

Harry should have ended up with Draco, of course.

I think they missed a trick there with cursed child. Not that that's canon. Thank god.

Bella didn't have a personality. She was just a human sigh.

@TheBuffster

Yeah but in a parallel universe. Snape marries Lily. Harry never born. Voldemort goes after Summer born Neville. Neville becomes the boy that lived.

It's fun to imagine.

Unless he gets Ron and Hermione or a similar duo by his side, Neville dies at the first trial because despite also going through trauma and "losing" his parents he's woefully unprepared and underdeveloped for what's coming.

@TheBuffster

Bella didn't have a personality. She was just a human sigh.

Bella was soooo emotionally exhausting. And don't even get me started in the films!

This is most fiction, ime. There has to be conflict, and many writers achieve this by having characters who behave stupidly. So often, the problem could be easily avoided if the characters would just speak to one another.

I pity the child who is only allowed to read, watch, or listen to stories in which the characters all behave perfectly and can serve as models for ideal relationships. How dull!

Yeah, but would Neville have been as woefully unpopular with the scar cred?
I like to think part of him being so useless was his grandmother being horrible to him and knocking his confidence, that coupled with using his father's wand made him mediocre.
Let's be real. Hermione carried Harry 99% of the time.
It should be called Harry Potter and the credit taking of Hermione Granger's brilliance.
I don't think publishers would have been keen though!

@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.

Do.you think your daughter's -JK based EPQ was 'cringeworthy'?

@AccidentallyOnPurpose

So was Harry. But his fault was arrogance.

I understand why Ron is a passive-aggressive sulker.

He's 6th of 7 children (Mrs Weasley kept trying until she finally had a girl). His older twin brothers have ADHD and take up a lot of Mrs Weasley's headspace. His three eldest brothers are overachievers with firm ideas regarding their vocation. His best friend is the boy who lived and better at Quidditch than him. His other best friend is the most intelligent person in the school.

I'd be permanently miffed, tbf.

@TheBuffster

I'm ashamed to say I read all the series too. It's like having a can of stale Pringles once you start...

Why be ashamed? It's a great series.

@TheBuffster

What does everyone think would've happened if Lily had chosen Snape, not James?

Should we assume Snape would have died too.?

Not suggesting Harry Potter is terrible. It's great.
Twilight is terrible.
Or are you suggesting otherwise? If so 10 points from Hufflepuff!

My DH is quite like Ron (5th child of 6) and I'm quite like Hermione, and as many posters have pointed out, it's not a very good match.

@MoodyMarshall

I understand why Ron is a passive-aggressive sulker.

He's 6th of 7 children (Mrs Weasley kept trying until she finally had a girl). His older twin brothers have ADHD and take up a lot of Mrs Weasley's headspace. His three eldest brothers are overachievers with firm ideas regarding their vocation. His best friend is the boy who lived and better at Quidditch than him. His other best friend is the most intelligent person in the school.

I'd be permanently miffed, tbf.

Mrs Weasley kept trying for a girl. Omg I never thought of that. That's the saddest thing ever. Now I have Ron sympathy. D'oh.

@stackemhigh

Really? I'm not an idiot , I can read a thread (incidentally about a series I know well). Forgot you are no longer allowed to make tongue in cheek banter anymore.

I'm not sure I believe that any child is 'aghast' at the relationships. Good stealth boast , but nah.

Interesting. Do Snape and Lily join the order of the phoenix or do they quietly keep their heads down.
Lily was a bit of a do Gooder so probably the former. However, if Snape's happy, he doesn't spy for Voldemort. No spy, no prophecy, no prophecy, no Voldemort downfall.
So unless Dumbledore pulled his finger out Lily and Snape ends up being terrible for wizardkind.

@MoodyMarshall

I understand why Ron is a passive-aggressive sulker.

He's 6th of 7 children (Mrs Weasley kept trying until she finally had a girl). His older twin brothers have ADHD and take up a lot of Mrs Weasley's headspace. His three eldest brothers are overachievers with firm ideas regarding their vocation. His best friend is the boy who lived and better at Quidditch than him. His other best friend is the most intelligent person in the school.

I'd be permanently miffed, tbf.

And the reason why I give Ron some leeway,is that at the end he has the most to lose. In the movies I found the radio listening scenes really sad. I probably would've cracked even without the Horcrux around my neck.

@TheBuffster

Interesting. Do Snape and Lily join the order of the phoenix or do they quietly keep their heads down. Lily was a bit of a do Gooder so probably the former. However, if Snape's happy, he doesn't spy for Voldemort. No spy, no prophecy, no prophecy, no Voldemort downfall. So unless Dumbledore pulled his finger out Lily and Snape ends up being terrible for wizardkind.

Oh I dunno. Hermione is about as do gooder as they get!

But would Snape care that much? He only did because of what happened to Lily.

His best friend is the boy who lived and better at Quidditch than him. His other best friend is the most intelligent person in the school.

To be fair being friends with Neville helps balance it out a bit. 😋

Cant anyone just read something & enjoy it for what it is anymore. Must everything be analysed to its death? Not everything has to be a life guide, it can just be entertainment fgs.

• Mrs Weasley kept trying for a girl. Omg I never thought of that. That's the saddest thing ever. Now I have Ron sympathy. D'oh.*

I thought that was common knowledge. Or maybe it's just from all the fanfic/comments/discussions I've read throughout the years.