It is often the female characters in books that get overlooked or underdeveloped. This is not the case with the Harry Potter series. In it, the main character, Harry Potter, has two equal friends. Unlike many other series, Hrry’s friendship is not just reserved for someone of his own sex, but he has both a male and female friend, Ron and Hermione. What makes this dynamic even more unique is that Hermione is not relegated to the batty-lashed, dizzy girlfriend role. She plays a truly equal and loyal friend. Above this, she is the “brains” so to speak of the trio.
Many girls over the past several decades (if not centuries) have been forced to deal with girls who play somewhat diminished roles. They are usually portrayed as beautiful girls, who may or may not be smart. Even if they are portrayed as smart, 9 out of 10 times they are not smarter than the male lead above them.
This is not the case in the Harry Potter series. In more than one situation, J.K. Rowlings makes it a point to highlight that Hermione is the brains of this operation. The only thing Harry really has going for him is to have the (ill) luck and distinction of being the mortal enemy of the most evil wizard to have ever lived, Voldemort. It is not his brains that normally get him out of situations, but rather his luck, kindness and courage.
Enter Hermione Granger. For all of his luck and courage, he would not be able to overcome many of his tribulations without the brainy help of his friend, Hermione.
Hermione is also an atypical female character in that her stubbornness is not explained off as “bitchy”. Even at the beginning of the series, the two boys, Harry and Ron, learn early and quickly that even though Hermione may be a strong personality, that does not mean she should be written off as mean. This in turn teaches both girls and boys who read the book that women are entitled to their opinions and are allowed to stand their ground without the need to be labeled bitch.
Hermione Granger is a character that has made a statement about the way female characters should be treated in books for children.
For more information about Hermione Granger, visit Hermione Granger’s Wand fan website