Femininity is handled in a variety
of ways through different characters in the Harry Potter series. We see female
characters portrayed in different ways- some are weak, some strong, and some
lie in between. Rowling creates many different strong female characters, yet it
is interesting to note that their ideologies often differ. It seems one does
not necessarily have to be ‘good’ or even liked to be strong. Though these
women possess such different qualities and morals, their strength of heart and
mind is a commonality.
Dolores Umbridge for example is a
character whose strength comes from her greed and want of power. She is strong
willed and in charge, yet also evil in a sense, as she has no trouble torturing
children. It is also interesting to note that she is described as very girly in
appearance- she loves the color pink, frills, and is very quick to correct your
manners. She is extremely powerful while at Hogwarts and even becomes
headmistress, and is obsessively convicted when it comes to her beliefs. Yet her
downfall is because of her greed, closed mind and her lack of empathy. She is
not a good person in the common sense, but her strength in character cannot be
questioned.
Molly Weasley is another example of
a strong female character. Although Molly is a stay at home mother to her large
family, she is clearly the one who wears the pants in her marriage to Arthur.
She is the disciplinarian, the caretaker, and the one you know will always be
there to support you. She is always trying to impress on her children that you
must be a good person, and is very much a mother figure to Harry as well. While
she is a typical housewife, and always ready to whip up a meal, she really is
much more. She takes charge at Grimmauld Place for the Order of the Phoenix
just as she does at her home in the Burrow. She is loyal and very brave. She
cares deeply for anyone that she grows close to, and though she tries to hide
it, is very emotional. She is a strong supporter of Dumbledore and the Order,
yet terrified of what may happen to its members. Molly Weasley is not a woman
to mess with, as her children and husband will surely tell you.
These are just two examples of
strong female characters with different qualities. Hermione Granger and Minerva
McGonagall should be mentioned as well. Both extremely sharp witted and smart,
they are not to be crossed. Rowling certainly has no fear or issue with women
having power. It seems that she is saying that given equal opportunity or in
this case equal ability to do magic, women have just as many strengths as men
do. It does not come down to being smart or talented, or even gender in the
Harry Potter series, but it is more a matter of how we choose to use our
powers, as shown through the different choices these women make.
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