Do you like Hermione?

[katia]

Hmm, I am not sure why I haven't posted for a while. I have certainly been here, I guess I have nothing much to say, which is odd for me, and also not quite true.

So this will be long and rambly and behind cuts, but before that a quick rec.

Apocrypha by xylodemon is a wonderfully rich Severus/James. I hadn't realised how much that pairing appeals to me. This is seven parts and completed, the link goes to part one.

Today went rather quickly. Two of my lessons were cancelled (well one was and somebody told me the other was, even though it wasn't, and now I have to deal with catching up and an angry techer) and so I had time to finish the fic I am writing Yay me! Now all I have to do it is type it up. And I would have done that if I didn't keep getting interrupted which is starting to get annoying. I have been trying to write this post for a long time, but I watched the Rotter's club, which is a brilliant mini series set in the 70s in Birmingham. Today was the second out of three parts and it is so cool, with the hair and politics and trade unions and they did Othello in school and this boy went to London and ended up having a whole lot of sex with this much older woman and he was so cute and pleased. I am not sure why I am writing this, nevermind. I have started watching tv again. It is nice. My love for the OC and Smallville and SG1 is growing. There is so much I watch right now and it makes me happy and needing fic, and even though those fandoms are quite established, they just don't have enough fic. I really love the fact that in the HP fandom, there is so much incredible fic, yes there is a lot of crap too, but there is also a fic for any random pairing you are looking for and with any random kink and that is why it rocks so much. I want something different when it comes to OC fic, but I am not sure where to find it. Not that I have really searched very much but still. And this is all I will say for now, because I planned to say more but I kept doing other things and so I won't.

And now a very simple poll. Because I have seen a lot of animosity towards Hermione and I am not sure why people don't like her. But that is for another post. Now I just want to know if you do, to see whether she is well liked or not. And this refers to canon Hermione.

[Poll #429987]

Comments

[remipunx.livejournal.com]

I am sorry I said I do not like her! But she pisses my Draco off! I will try to like her, promise.

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

No need to appologise, I want an honest answer because I want to write an essay on her and I was wondering what people thought. I will have a second poll, asking people why they like/hate her, because I am curious.

[remipunx.livejournal.com]

I will do that poll when it is posted. I should make the hubby do it to, since he is not the fan geek I am, but he still totally sides with her.

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

Good, I want more people to respond, as I will then get a wider variety of reasons. But you can tell me now, why is it that you don't like her? I am not judging you or anything, I just want to know.

[remipunx.livejournal.com]

Alright, so I read what you had to say below, about peoples fandom causing them to dislike her. I disliked her before I even knew I had a fandom! I am going to gather my thoughts, and send you an email that was not written at 1 in the morning with my thoughts on her. It is fine to share it, I just have a feeling it is going to get long. Actually, so that my flist can get in on it I will post it in my journal, I will let you know when it goes up.

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

My comment was not directed at you, it was just one of the reasons I could come up with. Because my problem is that I cannot think of many reasons and I want to know them.
I can't wait for the email. :)

[dorrie6.livejournal.com]

Just to be very clear about my answer. Yes, I do like Hermione, and I do like her to the degree of 10. This does not mean that I am unaware of her faults, or the aspects of her personality that can be annoying or grating. It means that I accept those things as the inevitable flip-side of all the things I value in her. I think that she is an incredibly sincere person who always does what she thinks is right, no matter the consequences. I think she cares deeply for her friends, and constantly demonstrates this through her actions. I think she is genuinely kind, though often awkward. I admire her convictions and her perseverance, even while recognizing that she can be abrasive and overly-cerebral. Personally, I think she gets seriously shortchanged in fanon, but obviously many would disagree. ;)

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

I agree with you completely. I love Hermione as a character and as I person and I know that she can jump into things without thinking, can be cruel, can be overconfident in her abilities, but I believe that she has always had a reason to do so, and it is precisely her faults that make her so human.

What I really can't understand is why people dislike her, hate her even. The hatred for most other characters even if I don't agree with, I can understand. But the only reasons for the Hermione hatred that is so widespread that I can see are fanish, to do with her being a girl and thus often dismissed, and to do with her being in the way for people's favourite pairings. Reasons that for me are invalid. I am not saying that there aren't perfectly valid reasons to dislike her, I just want to know what these are. That is why this poll and another one I will probably have tomorrow.

Thank you for taking the time to explain your answer :)

[rhiannonmr.livejournal.com]

I like her. She makes mistakes and despite her intelligence still has a lot to learn. I disagree with some of her methods but that's because in anyone other than one of the golden trio the methods she uses would be roundly condemmed. I do think she is an interesting character and I hope JKR continues to develope her. She is probably the most developed female character in the books and for that I do like her.

She has faults in her rigidity at times but that's real enough. I think she relies on the books too much sometimes without looking beyond the written word. She tends to buy into the all Gryffs good, all Slyths bad thing that annoys me.

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the detailed response. My opinion is pretty much on the same line as yours. The reason for this poll is that I wanted to see whether a lot of people dislike her, because I really want to know why. The last part of your comment about the way she sees the world as black and white and Slytherins are as all bad all the time is something I hadn't really considered before. Thinking about it now, it is definitely true, and something that will hopefully change in the last two books, as someone like Hermione should see that people are different.

[xylodemon.livejournal.com]

*blush*

J

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

:D!

[anna-bonita.livejournal.com]

Hey, i answered the poll, even though you already know what i think of Hermione, but if you want a reason, i would say that it's mostly because i'm very jealous of her, because she has all that i want, and probably very, very influenced by fandom, since i'm pretty sure that i used to like her before. But she's never been a favourite character. I don't think that i can associate with her much, either, even though there are many similarities between her personality and mine. I find her character stereotypical of ass kicking smart girls around the world, which i know there's a lot of, and there's nothing wrong with that, but i think her capabilities are too exaggerated in places and somewhat unrealistic. But i would say the main reason is because for me, her character lacks that little pinch of magic. She's interesting, and smart and brave, but so well calculated and spelled out, that she seizes to be magical.

Sorry, i know you love her>

[anna-bonita.livejournal.com]

PS, I went to the open evening at your school yesterday and i really liked it. Well, we couldn't find our way there first, but apart from that it was good.
I need some help with my choices now, so please help !
I think i might take history of art, what do you think, it sounded really good. Oh and did you have these option blocks? There's one of them, where i don't want to take any of the subjects and i'm not sure if i can just put down anything. Well, basically i would really really appreciate some advise, preferably in person, so what are you doing this weekend?

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

First of all I would advice against taking History Of Art, because my school does not have a capable teacher and most people hate it. On the other hand there is a trip to Florence I think, which is nice, but you can also go on the trip if you are taking Italian. Why don't you do that? You don't need a GCSE and you are very good at languages. And there are 5 option blocks, so if you don't want to do any of the subjects in one, you just don't. Most people do only 4 subjects. As for more advice, I will tell you as much as I can, Saturday I can't but Sunday I am free.

Oh and where in the school was it? What was it like? Did you hate the head?

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

No need to appologise, that is what I was looking for. A reason. And your reasons are something I have never heard before. Yay! I don't mind people having different opinions, I just want to know why!

Apart from the fandom influence (DV!Hermione?) which I still don't count as a real reason, everyhting else you said makes so much sense. And I find myself nodding along with some of your reasons, she can be almost like an authorial insert sometimes, which is not a very good thing, and can be a bit generic in her actions. But can you please give me a canon reference as to when her capabilities have been unrealistic? I can't really think of any.

[ahneta.livejournal.com]

Hello. I saw your comment in chains_of_irony's journal and liked the sound of you. I've friended you; friend me back? I'm also going to Oxford, grades permitting of course. My name's Heather, and you can find out about me by reading my userinfo. It's not fantastically written, but I do not profess to be eloquent. And I really hope that as a potential PPEist you don't laugh at all my crude and misinformed political opinions. ;)

Oooh, and I voted "yes". I do like Hermione. I don't read much fanfiction, so perhaps my mind has not been perverted by the fanon portrayal. I think she's a really nice girl, although a tad unconvincing as a character at times. When I was 12/13 I was very like early!Hermione, though as we've both grown up our personalities have diverged. Still, I identify with her.

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

Hi, I've just added you. I am Katia. And don't worry, your userinfo is really well written and informative, and wow you do maths and further maths! You must be so smart. I am so bad in maths, but I need an A in it, as it is part of my conditional offer.

And I won't laugh at your political opinions, as the fact that you have some, unlike the vast majority of our peers is something :) Also I quite agree with you, even though I am more Lib Dem, than Labour, because I am more liberal than most. And I don't think I'd ever want to be an MP, it is just so difficult to become one and if you do, you might never get anything done, however I wouldn't say no to a senior adviser job. :D

And now to Hermione, I am very pleased that you like her. Because clearly everyone should ;) The fact that I identify with her is probably the main reason I forgive her faults so easily. Also we have the same hair.

[anna-bonita.livejournal.com]

hey, do you want to do something tommorow?

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

Sure, what? But can't waste too much time, as my mum won't be too pleased. I watched Ocean's 12, it was brilliant.

[anna-bonita.livejournal.com]

was it? I loved the first one and will probably go to see this one in half term.

My mum won't be pleased either, but i'm so extremely bored at the moment, i can't cope. My plan was to not go out anywhere, so that next week i can beg to go out, as in to a club, but i can't take it any longer, i need to do something, and i relly want to buy something to wear to non uniform day. So maybe we could go shopping in the morning so that we don't waste too much of the day.

(frozen) (no subject)

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

I am not sure, I am going out today, will probably sleep till late. And might feel too tired. I'll text you or something. We should talk at some point about your A levels like you wanted.

[clementinecloud.livejournal.com]

Just passing through!

Yes, and 8 from me because:

Well, I like everyone really. But apart from that, it's nice to see a 'clever' character flourishing. In all too many books, especially fantasy-based ones, clever means bad, to be beaten by the lucky dumb hero. And it's generally interesting to hear about Hermione in the stories. I've no doubt she helps them.

No higher than 8 because, well, I'm not actually much of an HP fan at all...

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

Hi! Thank you for explaining your answer. :) I have never considered this before, but you are right, the hero is often lucky and somehow surprisingly survives, but there is abundance of dumb villains too, old Voldie for example.

Also I love your icon *steals it* *adds an 's' to it* :D

[clementinecloud.livejournal.com]

The icon is from http://www.explodingdog.com/ - I thought you'd appreciate it, having read the other comments on this post.

And yes, I say it with an s too, just didn't want to change the guy's artwork. Though, I doubt he'd care.

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

Ooh, that's some awesome artwork *adds to bookmarks* Thanks! And I wouldn't change it either, but math is one of those american words I can't stand, it just looks so uncomplete, even worse than color :))

[clementinecloud.livejournal.com]

You think that? I am a mathematician, and it sticks in my throat...

Breeeeaaaaaathe...

The picture's just to perfect for me not to use, though.

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

Heee! It does, doesn't it? But what are you doing with an icon like that? If you are a mathematician, you should have a "maths is easy" icon! Leave this one to the poor non-maths type people like mee!

[clementinecloud.livejournal.com]

No! Mine!

Prethious... ::slimy voice::

Seriously though, I just feel it captures the way that JUST AS YOU THINK YOU'VE GOT IT ALL SORTED it all gets so. much. harder.

I'm still recovering from an illness, it makes me think slowly when I'm tired. But suffice to say, I spent three hours on a question sheet last Thursday, and answered one question.

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

OMG, yes! You think you know exactly what you are doing but somehow your answer is wrong! And you do it again and again and then suddenly notice a stupid little mistake and you feel so stupid. And to think I'd considered taking further maths *shudders*

I admire your persistence, I'd have given up after an hour or so. And I haven't done my stats hwk for monday...

[clementinecloud.livejournal.com]

I'd have given up after an hour or so

Well, I was doing it for a supervision on the Friday... that's where you spend an hour with a top-notch lecturer and only one other student. Nowhere to hide is an excellent motivational tool.

then suddenly notice a stupid little mistake and you feel so stupid

&I remember in my interview, I just couldn't get this problem, so the guy told me to "read the question again" - I did this three times before he told me I was missing the same line every time. Can't they just give us marks on goodwill? Effort points? Or better still: LET US GO! PLEASE!

I haven't done my stats hwk for monday...
Tell me about it. I was in London today, to see my parents, and tomorrow's work was done on the train... at least they've actually got some for once!

I think most people find maths a bit annoying, from time to time. I didn't say that, though.

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

What interview was that? For university? If so, I know what you mean, there is something about the situation that means even if you aren't panicking it is impossible to think. It does help if the interviewers are nice, I don't do maths, but there was maths in my economics inteview and it was so horrible I answered the question and didn't realise until they told me, because I had forgotten what the question was!

I suppose doing hwk in a train is more interesting than doing it at home, at least you have changing scenery. I'll be going to London on Tuesday for Westminster day. Now politics I like, there is no wrong answer there.

[clementinecloud.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it was uni, the guy had the maths equivalent of a nobel prize and he sat there the whole time with an 'amused' smile on his face. Not good, though he was nice - just intimidating too.

&Yes, I love politics too. Sometimes I go down to Sarah's room (Social and Political Sciences) and just chat about that kind of stuff, globalisation and history and psychology. What I really want is to be a polymath (old-style word for an acaddemic into everything). And no, there isn't an 's' on that ;)

Where are you going? Somewhere in Oxford, did you say?

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

Ouch, that would be intimidating. Did they make you an offer?

I have an offer for University College in Oxford, for PPE, but that offer is AAA including maths, so I wouldn't say I am definitely going there. Apparently I really fucked up on the maths part of the written test, or as they put it, "performed disappointingly" so I have to demonstrate I can cope with it. But even if I don't get in, at least I will be doing PPE somewhere else, which I know I will love.

[clementinecloud.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm here now (Trinity College, Cambridge) - I already had Maths and Further Maths by then, so I guess they were willing to forgive a bit. I've also been sucked into the Cambridge rowing circle, hence a 6:30 outing tomorrow morning - so I think I'm going to sign off now.

Still, "Just passing through!" seems rather inaccurate - I guess I might drop in again sooner or later.

Good luck in your exams - and remember, if they gave you an offer, that means they think you can make it. Otherwise it's a waste of their time.

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

Wow, I guess it is a bit late for saying well done :D

Have fun with your rowing, and thank you for the luck, I will so need it.

I guess I might drop in again sooner or later.
Please do! I want to friend you, but I am afraid the slash part of my LJ will scare you. :))