Ginny -- Why don't some people like the way she's written? v4

[oxymoron]

Originally posted by Cyran Ca
Hang on... please don't be mistaken that I'm a crazy fangirl of Daniel Radcliffe or anything... My favorite character is Albus Dumbledore. I like or dislike a certain character with real reasons.

It's kind of funny that Dumbledore is your favorite character, it appears as though you have failed to learn anything from his character. Also, these "Real" reasons you mentioned, I haven't read any "Real" reasons, only your blanket opinions. I don't mean to offend you I'm just hoping to better understand what you've said.

Well this statement is a little silly. Just because he has a flaw, doesn't mean he is any less likable


I didn't like Ginny in the sixth book, mostly because i found her a little to all over the shot. She is too impulsive for my liking (e.g. just cutting sick at ron, snapping what ever she thinks about something), perhaps i am supposed to view this as courage or her 'fiesty' nature, but frankly it just irritated me, i don't think Harry needs someone else who goes off at the slightest instance (i am basing this from what we saw of her in the book, she may be usually quite level headed, but when she ran into the stands at Zacharias Smith, when she snapped at Hermione 'Oh don't pretend you know anything about quidditch' (or something of that sort, perhaps in book five), with Ron in the corridor, Hermione a few times throughout the book, seems to show she acts impulsively). Perhaps we didn't see enough of her to sympathise with her when she shouts or snaps at people, like we did in book five with Harry.

This was kind of sealed for me at the end, when Harry breaks up with her because he's running off after Voldemort, and she says that she thought it was that part of him that made her love him...i don't know, but to me that sounds like she's fallen in love with the Hero image.

Purely my feelings as each piece of text was presented to me, don't hurt me!

[ComicBookWorm]

She's fallen in love with the traits that make Harry a hero. That is not the same thing as loving the hero image.

[pygmY_PufFer]

Originally Posted by BadEyeBella

Ginny was laughing at Luna for reading a magazine upside-down. The next day, she stood up for her when some guys called her 'Loony'. Doesn't that prove the fact that she's saying one thing and doing the complete opposite?

Ginny didn't laugh at Luna at that moment, technically. If you read that part again carefully, it says that Ginny "suppressed a giggle". Which means she felt like laughing, but she resisted the urge because it felt a bit mean. And actually, I'm not sure if she wanted to laugh because Luna was reading the magazine upside-down. I think it has more to do with Luna saying, "Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure," in a sing-song voice, when responding to Ginny saying that she is in Ravenclaw. It was just kind of a weird response, even Harry and Neville looked at each other with their eyebrows raised. It doesn't equate to teasing Luna, calling her 'Loony' in groups. That's just making fun of people for the fun of it.

Originally Posted by caryn_ca

she is portrayed like a slut... what's more... she seems to be proud of being a slut. So, how can I like her? I think it's an insult to the females, I know this sounds very funny or even ridiculous, coz some of you might think "what's wrong with being a slut?" but I just can't like a slut, coz a slut is even worse than a prostitute... u know... it's like a "free for all" thing.

She is not a slut, as far as I know. Do you think going out with 3 guys in 2 years makes you a slut? Ron was the one who thought she was some kind of slut(or something like that, we never got to know the exact word he was going to say). Don't let his opinion confuse yourself. According to the dictionary, the word slut means "a woman who has many casual sexual partners". Nowhere in the books said that Ginny was someone like that.

Originally Posted by EleanorRigby

hmmm even though she did go out with other people, it was probably something to make Harry slightly jealous. It worked didn't it? :-P

This already has been explained earlier. No, she did not go out with other people to make Harry jealous. Pay close attention to what Ginny said about what Hermione told her. To get on with life, see other people. One main thing was so that Ginny would be able to talk to Harry, because she had always been too embarassed to do that when she was crushing on him. Once she got that out of the way, the awkwardness diminished so she was able to talk to Harry, and at least be friends with him.

Originally Posted by random_musing

There are plenty of people who don't like Ginny who don't ship Harry/Hermione AT ALL. When will people realize this?

I do realise it, I'm sure lots of people do. But generally, most of the people who really hate Ginny, not the ones who are indifferent to her or just don't like her, but those who absolutely loathe her prefer Hermione to her and for this, they ship H/Hr. They are annoyed at Ginny because they really love Hermione and would like her to be Harry's love interest(considering that most readers care a lot about Harry, because he is the main character after all, etc.). I think some of them even deliberately find faults with Ginny's character in order to justify their thoughts. Or maybe some of them don't, but they apply a double standard towards her, maybe even without realising it. This is an unfair judgement towards her character.

Originally Posted by random_musing

Unfortunately there aren't enough people around here who don't ship Harry/Hermione to make that known!

Which goes to show that only those who ship H/Hr in a big way are really disliking Ginny that they feel the urge to let it all out in online forums.

Originally Posted by random_musing

I dislike her becuase, in my humble opinion, she presents normally good personality traits in a way that I loathe.

Can you explain what you mean about that? How is the way she presents normally good personality traits loathsome to you?

Originally Posted by BadEyeBella

There's nothing wrong with her and yet she's wrong in so many ways in my mind. I don't think she's perfect, but I hate mixes of certain personality traits. She's reminds me of some people I know and dislike for the very same reasons.

Why do you hate mixes of certain personality traits? Why exactly do you dislike people like that that you know?

[Snivelly]

Originally Posted by oxymoron

Well this statement is a little silly. Just because he has a flaw, doesn't mean he is any less likable

Originally Posted by oxymoron

I didn't like Ginny in the sixth book, mostly because i found her a little to all over the shot. She is too impulsive for my liking

Contradictory much?

Ginny has her flaws, no one's denying that. I didn't particularly like her attitude during her fight with Ron, (but being the eldest sibling, I'd be normally biased against younger ones) even though I can't deny that I have fought even worse with my sisters and brother. She's impulsive, alright. She tends to leap before thinking. This is a possible flaw, I agree. But what I don't understand is how some people hate her, because of these few flaws; what about her other traits? Love, compassion, the way she befriends even the supposedly 'uncool' people, the way she stopped pitying herself and moved on, regained self-confidence and stepped past her insecurities...these are things to be truly admired for. I am sure, even confident, that people would have still hated her had she not had her temper and apparent recklessness. Of course, they would have another reason to criticise her, and for once, I would have agreed, had JKR made Ginny a Mary-Sue. I'm glad, even relieved to find that yes, Ginny has her flaws. Harry does, Ron does, Hermione does...so why should Ginny not?

[YellowRose]

I still think that a lot of the situations that Ginny was in, in book 6 were meant to be funny, in a dark English sarcastic way. Ginny and Ron shouting at each other..and out comes the Aunt Muriel line, I also thought that Ginny crashing into Zacharias Smith was also very funny. That's why I get surprised when I read how judgemental some posts can get. Ginny was never made out to be this perfect person, but then because she laughs at the wrong moment her character gets slaughtered..
Also, just after the book came out, we, the peeps that like Ginny, read from certains quarters that Ginny was a slut..but then she was a Mary-Sue(which is a perfect charater that can do no wrong), then she was this, then she was that.
I still say... woah-ho Like her, hate her or just meh, good on you Ginny for causing such heated talkbacks and confusion
Well, I'm confused, (not by her character, but by the reactions her character gets) but that's normal

[Alastor]

Originally Posted by oxymoron

Well this statement is a little silly.

I little more respect for the opinions of others, thanks. That wasn't exactly in the spirit of forum rule 2a.

[SSJ_Jup81]

Originally Posted by handsomeb

EDIT: To avvoid misunderstandings: Neville's final role is also pretty much out in the open at this point.

To be completely honest, I find Neville's situation a bit more interesting than say, Ginny's. Though the whole Horcrux aspect for Ginny is interesting...I'm more curious as to what Neville's role is going to be in the final book as opposed to Ginny's.

Originally Posted by random_musing

I don't think she is promisuous or anything like that and I get a bit confused why people think so.

I didn't say you did, by the way. Just mentioned it as one of the reasons I see that keep popping up around here.

Frankly she just bothers me to no end and I frankly don't understand all the hype about her and her fiestyness.

But it's so Weasley-ish.

I don't dislike her because shes popular, I dislike her becuase, in my humble opinion, she presents normally good personality traits in a way that I loathe.

You totally lost me here. Could you please explain that? It seems oxy-moronic, in a way.

Ginny has been in contact by a horcrux and manipulated by its creator in book 2, but to be honest, I really don't think that Ginny's role in book 7 would be as big as people believe it will be. She may be significant, sure, but I think people overdo it a bit. And I'll be honest here, I was never really that interested in the whole horcrux thing in the first place.

Aww man, how can you not find the whole Horcrux plot interesting? I'm dying to know exactly what the other ones are, and what role it'll play later.

That aside, I do feel taht Ginny will have a significant role because of the references to the number "7", but that's for a whole 'nother discussion and thread.

[FaceofBoe]

Originally Posted by oxymoron

This was kind of sealed for me at the end, when Harry breaks up with her because he's running off after Voldemort, and she says that she thought it was that part of him that made her love him...i don't know, but to me that sounds like she's fallen in love with the Hero image.

There is a very important difference, actually - a difference which was a big idea throughout HBP.

Remember that in Book II, when Harry gets all the attention from the press and everyone, and Malfoy taunts him about it, Ginny retorts "leave him alone, he didn't want all that!" So, that moment of "the first time Ginny had spoken in front of Harry" is a moment of her defending him from his fame. It's not necessarily the fame which attracts her, even as early as CoS - she sees the negative of it.

What Ginny says at the end is "I knew you wouldn't be happy unless you were hunting Voldemort. Maybe that's why I like you so much."

So, it's because of the hero instinct, not the hero image. It's because, she believes, Harry will not be happy unless he's finished Voldemort off. Is she correct? Yes, she is. HBP makes a big, big point of this, through Dumbledore:

"Got to (kill him)? Of course you've got to! But not because of the prophecy! Because you, yourself, will never rest until you've tried!"

Harry goes on to admit that even if he had never heard of the prophecy, he would "want him finished. And I'd want to do it." The prophecy is no longer a burden to Harry, because whatever happens, he wants to kill Voldemort.

Ginny sees exactly what Dumbledore and Harry (and, we can assume, Ron and Hermione) see - that Harry will not be able to rest, and will never be happy with himself, until he's gone out there and tried to kill Voldemort. That is what Ginny finds attractive. Not the "boy who lived" image, but the thing that has made him a hero - his capacity to love, his will to help people, and to finish it.

Originally Posted by pygmY_PufFer

She is not a slut, as far as I know. Do you think going out with 3 guys in 2 years makes you a slut? Ron was the one who thought she was some kind of slut(or something like that, we never got to know the exact word he was going to say). Don't let his opinion confuse yourself. According to the dictionary, the word slut means "a woman who has many casual sexual partners". Nowhere in the books said that Ginny was someone like that.

Exactly. That is one "argument" which really baffles me, because it's simply not true. I'd say Ginny has shown to be quite committed to all of her boyfriends, and has treated them all pretty well.


As for the moment of Ginny telling Hermione to shut up about Quidditch, personal opinion, but it was one of my favourite moments in the book. Hermione was particularly annoying at that point, she does embarrass herself when she talks about Quidditch (wonky faints), it's no more mean than Harry's jibe at Ron in OotP about dreaming that Ron will reach the Quaffle for once (so, if you dislike Ginny for that and you see yourself as fair in your judgement, you should dislike Harry, too), and it's about time somebody put Hermione in her place and made her realise she's not the reigning expert on everything, and that her nagging is often an irritation to Harry more than a help. Go Ginny!

[Bayou]

Originally Posted by cgold

Betrayal:
1. to harm or be disloyal to a country or another person by helping an enemy or giving information that is confidential

2. surrender somebody or something treacherously: to deliver somebody or something to an enemy

Your simplified understanding of the word does not necessarily make what I'm saying incorrect just like your interpretation (or misinterpretation in my opinion) of canon does not necessarily make what you're saying about Ginny correct. Betrayal does not exist simply among "best friends foreva". Many words have more than one meaning and can be used in more than one context. Perhaps this also further helps my understanding your Ginny animosity. Draco betrayed Hogwarts, he betrayed Dumbledore, and yes, everyone should have seen it coming.

By your logic, I am correct then in my post-- Draco didn't betray Dumbledore since I used one of the definitions of the word. This is so fun. And I don't have a "simplfied understanding of the word betrayal". I just offered a simplified definition because I didn't feel like grabbing my dictionary in my bedroom. Ha. And the part my post that you quoted had nothing to do with Ginny at all. I was talking about Draco.

[pavasa]

so, if you dislike Ginny for that and you see yourself as fair in your judgement, you should dislike Harry, too

I never said I was fair in my judgment. I clearly said I was completely biased. Hence I understand and acknowledge that there is a double standard, but there you have it. If you read the post carefully, I also agreed that Hermione deserved to be told off, she had it coming to her.

But in general I think most of you are right. As Meesha1971 pointed out earlier, Ron couldn't be the one to shut Hermione up; they had just recently made up, and besides, Hermione would have just started arguing with Ron instead. I KNOW I was way more judgmental/less forgiving towards Ginny than I would have been towards, say, Ron. I also said I understood, in those instances, why Ginny did what she did.

I'm glad I posted here, though. Some of you did understand where I was coming from, and even admitted that Ginny may have been out of line. Thanks to Meesha1971, FaceofBoe, Powerof7, Random Musings, Folly54, who in some way or another, have helped me see things about Ginny in a different light (e.g. that maybe her reaction in her fight with Ron also had a lot to do with the fact that Harry was there, that with Hermione she started first by saying "Give it a rest" but Hermione would not stop, and that Hermione might have implied that Ginny might be worried about Quidditch, when in reality she was only worried for Harry). Again because of my bias for Ron and Hermione, I had overlooked these details/"attenuating" factors . I also agree that her flaws make her a more believable character. I still would like her to control her temper a little more though . But I guess you are, again, right (I think Folly54 mentioned this), when you say maybe someone with her personality is what was needed to deal with Harry.

I guess what I'm saying is that I've "converted" Maybe she will never be one of my favorites, but I will try to be more objective about her. She certainly is important in Harry's future.

[meesha1971]

Originally Posted by pavasa

I never said I was fair in my judgment. I clearly said I was completely biased. Hence I understand and acknowledge that there is a double standard, but there you have it. If you read the post carefully, I also agreed that Hermione deserved to be told off, she had it coming to her.

But in general I think most of you are right. As Meesha1971 pointed out earlier, Ron couldn't be the one to shut Hermione up; they had just recently made up, and besides, Hermione would have just started arguing with Ron instead. I KNOW I was way more judgmental/less forgiving towards Ginny than I would have been towards, say, Ron. I also said I understood, in those instances, why Ginny did what she did.

I'm glad I posted here, though. Some of you did understand where I was coming from, and even admitted that Ginny may have been out of line. Thanks to Meesha1971, FaceofBoe, Powerof7, Random Musings, Folly54, who in some way or another, have helped me see things about Ginny in a different light (e.g. that maybe her reaction in her fight with Ron also had a lot to do with the fact that Harry was there, that with Hermione she started first by saying "Give it a rest" but Hermione would not stop, and that Hermione might have implied that Ginny might be worried about Quidditch, when in reality she was only worried for Harry). Again because of my bias for Ron and Hermione, I had overlooked these details/"attenuating" factors . I also agree that her flaws make her a more believable character. I still would like her to control her temper a little more though . But I guess you are, again, right (I think Folly54 mentioned this), when you say maybe someone with her personality is what was needed to deal with Harry.

I don't know whether I should say thank you or your welcome - perhaps both?

I guess what I'm saying is that I've "converted" Maybe she will never be one of my favorites, but I will try to be more objective about her. She certainly is important in Harry's future.

Do we get a free toaster for converts?

I'm just kidding.

[SarahSue0808]

I really don't understand why some people don't like Ginny, I've always absolutely loved her. I'm sure I may be repeating things that have been said in the last 12 pages, but I don't have the time now to go back through them all.

I really don't understand why some people find Ginny to be promiscuous or slutty. As someone already mentioned above, she has had three boyfriends in two years, all of which have been long term (or would have been without extenuating circumstances, as in Harry's case). By many standards in today's world, especially in the high school world, that is positively pristine. I think a big part of the problem is that people are paying too much attention to Fred, George, and Ron's comments...they're her older brothers, of course they're going to blow the situation out of proportion in the process of being over-protective of their little sister. As for it being demeaning to girls, I actually find it complimentary. Ginny's a strong independent girl who doesn't put up with ****. A boy acts like a jerk and she says see ya later. I say, Go Ginny.

As for her comments in the argument with Ron, I wonder if some of you who are saying this makes her mean and annoying have siblings. I know my siblings and I have been just as mean, if not meaner to each other, than Ginny was to Ron. Similarly, don't forget Ron's comment..."I don't want people thinking my sister's a..." --I think it's pretty obvious what word he was going to finish that with. I remember an instance when I was in high school when my older brother tried telling me how to handle my love life, and I can promise you that the blowout we ended up having would have made some of Ginny's comments look positively sweet. This is what siblings do...it's part of growing up, part of being siblings. You say things that might seem a bit harsh (or really harsh), and then the next day you're friends again. Personally, I don't think Ginny was out of line at all. I think it's a pretty justified reaction as Ron was about to call her a slut.

I see Ginny as a "I don't take no **** from nobody" kind of girl. She's strong, she says what's on her mind, and puts people in their place when it's neccesary. I think Jo has done a good job here of creating the "modern woman" in Ginny.

[FaceofBoe]

Originally Posted by pavasa

I never said I was fair in my judgment. I clearly said I was completely biased. Hence I understand and acknowledge that there is a double standard, but there you have it. If you read the post carefully, I also agreed that Hermione deserved to be told off, she had it coming to her.

That's OK, I wasn't necessarily referring to you in that part of the post - it was just a general comment. I find it a bit frustrating, that's all, because I could find examples of each of the trio saying something equally as biting and cruel at some point.

There are times when Ron and Hermione infuriate and frustrate me as a reader, and sometimes it's good to see them put in their place (as a man, I'm not afraid to say I was cheering on Hermione in the canary incident, scary as it was!) but I don't love them any less for it. Some of the main "good" characters do annoy me a bit from time to time, but I have to say, I don't think I actually dislike any of them. Maybe I'm just lucky.

[BbyHdedDthEater]

Originally Posted by powerof7

Maybe when people who don't have "proud Harry/Hermione shipper" in their signature say it.

hahaha.... high five.

Originally Posted by handsomeb

Out of curiosity: Don't you find Ginnys close connection to a horcrux and her knowledge of Riddle interesting in the slightest, or wonder how this plotline will play out in the final book? Ginny is closely tied up with the main plot of the books, and her future role is in my opinion more mysterious than any other of the young generation due to the CoS events. Her part is more open to speculation than that of, say, Ron, Hermione or Neville, who are also key players. I'd belive that this would make her interesting even if one doesn't care much for her characterization.

I completely agree. I have a feeling she is going to play a much bigger role than any of us think. She may reveal something she found out while being posessed by voldemort that might be key in finding a horcrux... who knows?!

Ginny is interesting.

Originally Posted by FaceofBoe

As for the moment of Ginny telling Hermione to shut up about Quidditch, personal opinion, but it was one of my favourite moments in the book. Hermione was particularly annoying at that point, she does embarrass herself when she talks about Quidditch (wonky faints), it's no more mean than Harry's jibe at Ron in OotP about dreaming that Ron will reach the Quaffle for once (so, if you dislike Ginny for that and you see yourself as fair in your judgement, you should dislike Harry, too), and it's about time somebody put Hermione in her place and made her realise she's not the reigning expert on everything, and that her nagging is often an irritation to Harry more than a help. Go Ginny!

I love that part, too! Not only does it make Harry feel better because Ginny stood up for him, but it shows Ginny's willingness to stand up for him, even though the argument didnt really involve her.
I just love her Weasleyish, spunky attitude.

[random_musing]

Originally Posted by SSJ_Jup81

You totally lost me here. Could you please explain that? It seems oxy-moronic, in a way.

Hm, I'll try to explain this better (but don't count on it! I confuse myself sometimes!).

I think its alright for even someone who dislikes Ginny to at least ackowledge that she does have some aspects of her personality which are generally admireable. I just feel as though those good aspects are smothered in little temper tantrums and horrid impudence. There is plenty there that would easily make her a likeable character, but it just doesn't work out for me (and a lot of other people as well).

Originally Posted by SSJ_Jup81

Aww man, how can you not find the whole Horcrux plot interesting? I'm dying to know exactly what the other ones are, and what role it'll play later.

I mean, I'm interested too but not to the extent of doing some hard thinking as to what they may be. I can wait for the horcrux stuff in the books. I'm in no hurry for that (I'm in a hurry to discover other things though!)

Originally Posted by SSJ_Jup81

That aside, I do feel taht Ginny will have a significant role because of the references to the number "7", but that's for a whole 'nother discussion and thread.

Yes...I believe there is a thread about Powerful!Ginny. I've lurked a few times and regret doing so to this day!

[PotionA]

Originally Posted by oxymoron

I didn't like Ginny in the sixth book, mostly because i found her a little to all over the shot. She is too impulsive for my liking (e.g. just cutting sick at ron, snapping what ever she thinks about something), perhaps i am supposed to view this as courage or her 'fiesty' nature, but frankly it just irritated me, i don't think Harry needs someone else who goes off at the slightest instance (i am basing this from what we saw of her in the book, she may be usually quite level headed, but when she ran into the stands at Zacharias Smith, when she snapped at Hermione 'Oh don't pretend you know anything about quidditch' (or something of that sort, perhaps in book five), with Ron in the corridor, Hermione a few times throughout the book, seems to show she acts impulsively). Perhaps we didn't see enough of her to sympathise with her when she shouts or snaps at people, like we did in book five with Harry.

This is exactly what Harry needs: a girl who goes off instantly because a girl like that can put him in his place whenever needed. And so far, she's had valid reasons for shouting and snapping at people, not to mention that her fiery nature derives from growing up in a family where she needed to make her own stand and find her own voice. Ron had said himself in CoS that it was unusual of Ginny to act shy and awkward, which means that she had always been like the person she was in OoTP and HBP. Her traumatizing experience with Riddle's diary surely had made her a stronger person, therefore we have enough on her character to fully understand it.

This was kind of sealed for me at the end, when Harry breaks up with her because he's running off after Voldemort, and she says that she thought it was that part of him that made her love him...i don't know, but to me that sounds like she's fallen in love with the Hero image.

On the contrary and as CBW had mentioned, it's one of the many things that makes Harry the hero. Harry's hero image would be how he's viewed by people like Romilda Vane and her friends. But Ginny, on the other hand, knows him personally and is friends with him and she's the last person who would fall for him because of his hero image.

[BadEyeBella]

Originally Posted by pygmY_PufFer

Why do you hate mixes of certain personality traits? Why exactly do you dislike people like that that you know?

This is like trying to explain why do you prefer strawberry ice-cream to vanilla ice-cream. I'd like her to be more rational and less emotional. She has great qualities which are ruined by her over-emotional behaviour. That's my opinion. I don't have canon to prove it. Ginny's dominant personality traits don't suit me. I pretty much agree with random_[B]musing[/b]'s opinion.

[Yoana]

There is a discussion going on about her character features, as I see, but to me, what I don't like about Ginny, is not her character traits but the way she is written - I mean I don't think something's wrong with the girl Ginny, if we imagine she really exists, but the way her part is written, to me it's totally unconvincing and compared to the other major characters, she lacks depth, or, rather, she lacks the flesh-and-blood quality that makes the others so vivid, convincing and almost alive. I feel most of her character traits are somehow cliches - all this fiery nature stuff, her feistiness - to me it feels as if the author has tried hard to make her special, unusual, she needed to upgrade her in order to make her Harry's ideal girl. I don't think my English is good enough to explain exactly what I mean and I realize I am not making myself clear enough but I hope you can see what I mean. By cliche I mean, she is meant to be cool in all situations, she is meant to be admired by the reader, UNLIKE any of the other characters. That's why I totally hated the scene where she snaps at Hermione, because it feels to me Rowling needed to make Ginny's commitment to Harry visible, she needed a scene to state it, and she used Hermione for it. What I mean to say is, it's not Ginny's attitude in this situation that annoys me, but the way she is made to do something like this by the author in order to exemplify her care for Harry. I sympathized with Hermione then.

I'm sorry for the lack of clarity, but I found myself unable to express my thoughts any better.

[FaceofBoe]

Originally Posted by Yoana

There is a discussion going on about her character features, as I see, but to me, what I don't like about Ginny, is not her character traits but the way she is written - I mean I don't think something's wrong with the girl Ginny, if we imagine she really exists, but the way her part is written, to me it's totally unconvincing and compared to the other major characters, she lacks depth, or, rather, she lacks the flesh-and-blood quality that makes the others so vivid, convincing and almost alive. I feel most of her character traits are somehow cliches - all this fiery nature stuff, her feistiness - to me it feels as if the author has tried hard to make her special, unusual, she needed to upgrade her in order to make her Harry's ideal girl. I don't think my English is good enough to explain exactly what I mean and I realize I am not making myself clear enough but I hope you can see what I mean. By cliche I mean, she is meant to be cool in all situations, she is meant to be admired by the reader, UNLIKE any of the other characters. That's why I totally hated the scene where she snaps at Hermione, because it feels to me Rowling needed to make Ginny's commitment to Harry visible, she needed a scene to state it, and she used Hermione for it. What I mean to say is, it's not Ginny's attitude in this situation that annoys me, but the way she is made to do something like this by the author in order to exemplify her care for Harry. I sympathized with Hermione then.

First of all, lacking depth. I would argue that Ginny has more depth than a lot of characters in the books, and that includes fan favourites (and one of my favourites!) like Luna. We've talked about this again and again in this thread, but basically, we see a huge emotional development for Ginny. She starts out as an insecure young girl who doesn't seem to have any real friends, and who pours out her heart to a mysteries diary, and then suffers an awful experience because of it. But she doesn't fall into depression, she pulls herself together, and deals with all her insecurities, so that by OotP, she has overcome them. That doesn't seem like "lack of depth" or "not flesh and blood" to me. She's gone on what every well-realised character goes on - an emotional journey and development - and its one which makes her a particularly good role-model. Everyone should try to overcome their insecurities.

How is being fiesty a "cliche"? I don't understand that at all. If we're talking in that way, what is Dumbledore if not a cliche? Hermione is also a cliche - bookworm who suddenly takes of her glasses (in in this case, straightens her hair) and because beautiful at the ball - that's the biggest cliche in the book! Even Harry, the downtrodden boy who becomes a hero? Character-traits, like being fiesty, are character traits - I fail to see how they can be cliched. The point is, Ginny has always been fiery and fiesty, even from ther beginning - she was just too insecure and shy around Harry to show it. She had to develop, grow and mature until she finally because confident enough to show her true nature, and when Harry saw it, he fell for her. Otherwise, Harry would have fallen for her in CoS and PoA, and the story wouldn't be as interesting!

No, I don't think we're meant to admire Ginny's coolness in situations UNLIKE other characters. We're meant to see that Ginny has a combination of character traits which makes her, comlpetely and utterly, Harry's ideal woman. Everything he needs. He needs somebody who is strong, fiesty, will stand up to him and for him, and won't collapse emotionally, because of the life he leads. His girlfriend had to be like that, so JKR wrote Ginny like that, right from the beginning where she told Malfoy to "leave him alone" in CoS. The point is, every romance writer does that, if they're writing about a serious romance. JKR is simply showing why Ginny is the right girl for him, more than anyone else. If she didn't, people would be baffled as to why he chose Ginny. All authors use plot devices like the Ginny-Hermione argument to establish and further their romance. I don't see anything wrong with it at all. Hermione didn't seem particularly hurt by it, and she had it coming - she was being overbearing and annoying. As Ginny herself would say - Harry and Ron were too scared to shut her up, so somebody had to do it.

[handsomeb]

Originally Posted by BadEyeBella

This is like trying to explain why do you prefer strawberry ice-cream to vanilla ice-cream. I'd like her to be more rational and less emotional.

In my opinion Ginny can actually be quite rational; in particular she has the ability to keep her head cool in a crisis. Some examples:

• She uses dungbombs on the door to see if extendable ears can be used
• After the famous "Lucky you"-comment she immediatly returns to calm reasoning to convince Harry
• She easily breaks up the beginning argument between Hermione and Luna at the Hogs Head to get the meating back to more relevant matters
• When Arthur has been hurt and his kids want to go to the hospital she is the only one who adresses Sirirus rationally and accepts his reasoning. The twins are very emotional and mutinous while Ron is completely silent in the background. (I see this as a key scene for Ginny btw)
• She comes up with the plan to divert students before entering Umbridges office in secconds
• She uses calm reasoning about the thestrals before going to MoM
• She again faces Harry with reasoning when he wants to leave them behind at the entrance to MoM
• She accepts Bill's damages more readily then Ron, who seems bitter and blames Dumbledore