This is the book in the Harry Potter series where we really get a lot of information about the interactions between males and females beyond friendship. Sure, in the other books we see that Ginny has a crush on Harry, but its shown in a purposefully childish sort of way. In the Goblet of Fire, we see Harry having to deal with asking a girl to the Yule Ball, as well as his jealousy when Cho Chang goes to the Ball with Cedric Diggory. We see the way girls follow famous guys like Krum around and giggle a lot. We also get to see the stereotypical pack nature of girls when Harry can't find Cho alone.
Masculinity is portrayed in many different ways in this book. I think in the end though Rowling shows us that she thinks most forms of masculinity are silly, just as she seems to think that most forms of feminity are silly as well.
-Note, getting late now so I'm going to leave this as it is for now, maybe I'll get to come back to it (the stuff that comes after was written earlier).
Now shifting gears a bit. Contrary to what Walker said in and out of class about Harry Potter being useless and only being lucky, Harry comes by his luck for a reason: He is geniuininly a good, well rounded person with a properly calibrated moral compus. In this book we see Harry getting helped from people who want to help him because of who he is. Hagrid helps because Harry has always been a loyal, loving friend. Moaning Myrtle helps because he never treated her poorly, no matter how anoying she was. Dobby helped because Harry was always kind to him, even after Dobby tried to prevent him from going to school which really anoyed him. This moral fiber that drives Harry is exemplified in chapter 26, The Second Task, when Harry tries to save all of the people in the lake, not just Ron. He gets extra points because of this.
In the world of Harry Potter, people are usually rewarded for having strong moral fiber and determination of will, which is Harry's greatest atributes. He doesn't give up in the face of danger. Sure, Harry needs help, but most people, inlcuding most people in the books, would give up when facing what Harry has faced even if they were getting the same help he did.
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Hi! I'm glad I checked CA's blog, I didn't know this one was around. I'll respond to this blog from now on as well, unless you'd rather it be a personal reflection. On that note, I have to agree that Harry certainly isn't a useless character. If he was, I doubt the series would revolve around his actions. But I do see Walker's point that Harry wouldn't be able to do half of the things he manages to accomplish without the help of others. On that same note, the others help Harry because he does a lot for them. Hagrid gets a friend, Myrtle gets attention/someone to talk to, Dobby receives freedom, etc etc. So I'll argue alongside you that Harry's strong morality earns him the right to be the title character in the book. Harry's strength lies in his seemingly invincible willpower that he gets because he has forms relationships with people. If he just sat around and never talked to anyone, then I think he would be a useless character. Lucky for us that isn't the case. :) The lesson I take away from Rowling here is that friends have the power to make a person stronger (of course, they also have the power to wound you like no other). Would you mind giving me an example of the silliness in gender roles you talked about? I think that is a very interesting point. After watching the movie, it is pretty clear Hollywood wants the gender roles to be extremely present. I've always thought of book 4 as "the awkward middle school dance" of the series myself. Good response, I look forward to reading more. If you have any questions for me, please ask them in the comment pane and I'll respond to whatever it may be. Also, if you don't want responses to your blog let me know as well. :)
ReplyDeletei really love what both of you said about morality & strength -- i believe what rowling wants us to understand, indeed what she bashes us over the head with a bit, is this unyielding power of love. that is reflected not only in harry's behavior (something you've written about before, torin -- rebellion for greater reasons, for fun, friendship, & to protect the world he loves), but also in the relationships he builds. the fact that his friends help him so willingly is pretty incredible, particularly in this book where we see, for the first time so clearly (though we have certainly been building to this point) that voldemort must manipulate, control, & kill to hold any power. he works through fear & intimidation. harry is convinced he must do things on his own, but he can't seem to shake those friends of his -- it is that determination & hope that gives him strength.
ReplyDeleteas far as gender roles go -- i would love to see you flesh those ideas out more. where do we see those stereotypes in the novel? is rowling mocking them, or speaking to some truth in them? how are we reacting to our characters sexuality and desire?