Mary Sues in Harry Potter - Part II (continued)

[ana_christina]

[comments disabled due to excessive spam]

Because the post-HBP essay on Ginny's traits as a Mary Sue is very long, I split it into two parts. Before commenting, please read part I of this essay. Thank you. :)

Comments

[charmedcheese]

Assertion 6: The reason why we don’t see any flaws in Ginny is because we see the characters through Harry’s point of view and since he happens to like Ginny, there are hardly any flaws he notices.Regarding what you had to say about this point, I'd say that it's best to hold off until book 7 before we can debate this arguement. One of the things that annoys me is that people compare H/G to other literary couples and deem them to be inferior in comparison, yet those other literary couples have the advantage of being fully developed, where as in my opinion, H/G is just starting. Contrast is an important tool in literature when you want to emphasize a point without sounding didactic or having to explicity explain why two characters fall in love. I believe that Harry's idealism of Ginny and his parting from her is not the heart of their relationship, nor JKR's wishfulfillment, but rather a point of contrast to what their relationship will be in book 7

[ana_christina]

One of the things that annoys me is that people compare H/G to other literary couples and deem them to be inferior in comparison, yet those other literary couples have the advantage of being fully developed, where as in my opinion, H/G is just starting.Oh, I see what you mean, but I don't think I did this in my essay. The H/G ship is not something that is really on topic when discussing the Mary Sue hypothesis, except with the current simmilarities it has with a classical MS romance (it being sudden

[charmedcheese]

Oh, I see what you mean, but I don't think I did this in my essay. The H/G ship is not something that is really on topic when discussing the Mary Sue hypothesis, except with the current simmilarities it has with a classical MS romance (it being sudden).

Yes, I know that was more of an aside to support my point that H/G and Ginny herself are not fully developed yet, so we can't really judge what Rowling's saying until she finishes her sentence.

The reason why I mentioned Harry's point of view and why I think it does not suffice as an argument, is because although I agree that him caring for her gives her a lot of positive descriptions, it does not suffice to justify the other characters doing the same. The beginning of the post-HBP essay dealt with exactly this. For instance, that random merchant who comemnted on Ginny's pretty neck, Pansy, the Death Eater, Slughorn, the Twins, Hermione, Ron, etc. etc. These are hardly justified via Harry's (natural) tendency to view Ginny in a positive light.How other characters view her? Well, let

[ana_christina]

Hi! Sorry for not replying that regularly, I have exams at school and as such my online time is limited. :(

Pansy: she's was definelty used to make it clear that Ginny is considered pretty by the hogwarts male population, but you can't have all the heroine's be plain bookworms now can you?

Of course not. But I don't think either Ginny, or Hermione or Luna can be considered Heroines.

I think it's something that makes Ginny stand out from Luna and Hermione as being her own thing, and I don't think her popularity is a bad thing, but it's not an entirely good thing either. Someone has to be the good looking on in high school, and it's not always the "Fleur" type.

Right, but unlike Fleur, Ginny fits the Mary Sue criteria better and her popularity is one of the items that do this. I don't think it's good/bad either, but I do think it is Mary Sue-ish and I would say the same with regards to Fleur's beauty for instance, though unlike Ginny, she certainly comes across as flawed.

I think it's also important to note that the not all the

[mrs_bombadil]

I just want to let you know that I do indeed intend to comment, as promised. It's a long essay and a challenging subject so I want to give it the effort it deserves. Unfortunately, I don't have the time and energy right at the moment. :)

[ana_christina]

Hi!

Many thanks for taking the time to let me know about this. Don't worry about replying that soon, I won't be online that often either, as this is the time for my exams at school. Thank you for considering to read and comment! :)

[mrs_bombadil]

I haven't forgotten, btw :p

However, if you wanted an opportunity to interract, feel free to join my new community.

[ana_christina]

Hey, nice to hear from you. ^_^ I joined the community, thank you for letting me know about it.

[static_pixie]

Wow. Putting this in my memories for sure. Absolutely brilliant take on a hard topic. Probably I'll comment more later, but I just wanted to say good job!

[ana_christina]

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! :)

[shecrows]

... i think i love you.

fantastic essay -- remarkably thorough and well thought out. saving this and reading it again later. i really can't comment with anything more substantial than to say that you've done a fabulous job, because, yeah. i agree with you on pretty much everything.

[ana_christina]

*blushes* Heh, this is my first love declaration. :D On a more serious note, I wish to thank you for reading and for your kind words. :)

[forgotnsuitcase]

Wow. I want to commend you, on throughout this entire thing, you didn't resort to personal opinions and prejudices and things that most people do. It's very well thought out, and I can see your point so easily. Nice job!

[ana_christina]

Thank you. :) May I ask (if it isn't rude, of course) how did you find this essay?

[forgotnsuitcase]

Not rude at all, I should have said. beautifulphrase linked it on her journal.

:)

[ana_christina]

Thanks for telling me. :)