I chose to look at Hermione from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Hermione has always been one of my favorite characters. She faces adversity in many ways throughout the book. Hermione, first and foremost, is female. She is the sole female in her group of friends, she proves throughout the book that she is more than capable of handling both of her pals and is usually the source of reason during their escapades. Hermione also faces ridicule due to her lack of pure background when it comes to magic. Discrimination against her types becomes more powerful throughout the book and the rest of the series.
One of the scenes I both liked in the book and the movie is after they have all been almost eaten by the three headed dog. Hermione shows her intelligence as well as her values. She plainly tells her cohorts that they must go to bed before they get killed or worse, in her mind, expelled from Hogwarts. This little part of the book shows her concern yet stern side and also shows what she values most, knowledge. To her, being expelled from Hogwarts is the worse punishment. Hermione from day 1 exhibits strength and book smarts which help them to survive through their many obstacles. Acquiring knowledge is not difficult for her, she immediately gives Ron and Harry the sense that she is a "know-it-all" when she first meets them. Her book smarts prove to be most useful in navigating the treachery beneath the castle. Hermione can be taken as an arrogant know-it-all but it seems her intense base of knowledge is her way of proving she can be a great witch without the pure blood that some feel is required.
JK Rowling actually said that she wrote the character of Hermione based on herself, and that she put the scene in the book where Hermione is attacked by the troll because she felt that she made her too unlikeable-too much a know it all. Throughout the book you see her progression from an unlikeable know it all to the go to girl.
ReplyDeleteKatherine,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your blog entry. Hermione was a great selection of character for this article. She takes a lot of ridicule for not being a pure blood, however she finds strength and can outsmart many wizards with her skills of acquiring knowledge. Hermione is very book smart and can also apply the knowledge when needed most, which in her case is very important while having friends like Ron and Harry. I think that you did an excellent job describing how she does not let her unpure background get to her. I also like how you described her skills that she applies in the real situations thanks to her knowledge. She may be a know it all, but it pays off instead of getting killed or worse expelled!
Great Job, I think that your summary on your close read was very informative and to the point. Hermione is a perfect character to study for this close read. The assignment was to close read a character and show what they have learned. What better character than Hermione Granger who is constantly learning and is constantly trying to figure things out. In this stage of the book she is extremely juvenile and can only focus on one hing which is herself. This passage really highlights that the only thing she is concerned about is her education and most importantly herself.
ReplyDeleteI really like your perspective on Hermione Granger. I also chose her because I found the way she faces adversity very compelling. Most of her knowledge comes from books, so obviously she values her education. You brought up an excellent example in regards to Harry, Ron, and Hermione facing a danger—the three headed dog. Here, we see how all three react. Harry and Ron both got themselves into the danger, and were willing to face it even when incredibly fearful. Hermione, however, shows her fear and expresses how she values her education, almost more than her life. You brought up great points, and explained Hermione’s character very well.
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