Hermione Granger
Hermione Granger | |
---|---|
Harry Potter character | |
First appearance | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997) |
Last appearance | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007) |
Created by | J. K. Rowling |
Portrayed by | Emma Watson |
Voiced by |
|
In-universe information | |
Full name | Hermione Jean Granger |
Spouse | Gryffindor |
Born | 19 September 1979 |
Hermione Jean Granger (/hɜːrˈmaɪəni ˈɡreɪndʒər/ hur-MY-ə-nee GRAYN-jər) is a fictional character in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. She first appears in the novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997), on the Hogwarts express as a first year student on her way to Hogwarts. After Harry and Ron save her from a mountain troll in the girls' restroom, she becomes best friends with them and often uses her quick wit, deft recall, and encyclopaedic knowledge to lend aid in dire situations. Rowling has stated that Hermione resembles herself as a young girl, with her insecurity and fear of failure.[2]
The character has had immense popularity. The version of Hermione portrayed by Emma Watson in all eight Harry Potter films from Philosopher's Stone in 2001 to Deathly Hallows – Part 2 in 2011 was voted the best female character of all time in a poll conducted amongst Hollywood professionals by The Hollywood Reporter in 2016.[3]
Character development
Hermione is a
Rowling said the character of Hermione has several autobiographic influences: "I did not set out to make Hermione like me but she is a bit like me. She is an exaggeration of how I was when I was younger."
Hermione's first name is taken from a character in William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, though Rowling has said that the two characters have little to nothing in common.[12] Rowling said that she wanted her name to be unusual since if fewer girls had the name, fewer girls would get teased for it and it seemed the sort of name that "a pair of professional dentists, who liked to prove how clever they were" would give their daughter.[12] Her original surname was "Puckle", but Rowling felt the name "did not suit her at all", and so the less frivolous Granger was used.[2]
Harry Potter books
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Hermione first appears in
Hermione is the brains behind the plan to enter the place where the Stone is hidden. She responds to Harry's wariness of Professor Severus Snape and is also suspicious of him. She reveals to Harry and Ron that she does a lot of research in the library, which helped her defeat the Devil's Snare and work out the logic of the potions.
Rowling said on her website that she resisted her editor's requests to remove the troll scene, stating "Hermione is so very arrogant and annoying in the early part of Philosopher's Stone that I really felt it needed something (literally) huge to bring her together with Harry and Ron."[2]
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Hermione (along with Ron's mother
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Hermione buys a cat named
While filling in for
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Hermione is horrified by the cruelty that house-elves suffer, and establishes
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Hermione becomes a Gryffindor prefect along with Ron and befriends Luna Lovegood, but their friendship has a rocky start after Hermione chastises the publication of
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
New Potions professor
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
In the
Hermione later uses Polyjuice Potion to impersonate Bellatrix when the trio steal
Epilogue
In the epilogue of Deathly Hallows, which is set nineteen years after Voldemort's death, Hermione and Ron have two children:
In other material
In
Characterisation
Appearance
The books describe Hermione as having "bushy brown hair"
There is controversy[44] over whether Hermione's skin colour is ever categorically established in the books. Some take as proof a line from Prisoner of Azkaban: "Hermione's white face was sticking out from behind a tree."[45] They interpret this as a direct description of her skin tone. Others interpret it as a description relative to her usual complexion, arising due to fright and anxiety as she watches Harry Potter's attempt to save the hippogriff Buckbeak from execution. J.K. Rowling herself says Hermione "turned white" in that she "lost colour from her face after a shock."[44]
Another description from early in Prisoner of Azkaban is: "They were there, both of them, sitting outside
Personality
Hermione's most prominent features include her prodigious intellect and cleverness. She is levelheaded, book-smart, and always very logical. Throughout the series, Hermione uses the skills of a librarian and teacher to gather the information needed to defeat Voldemort, the "Dark Lord". When in doubt, she always turns to the school library.
Hermione is extremely compassionate; and very quick to help others, especially the defenceless, such as
Magical abilities and skills
Hermione is portrayed during the whole series as an exceptionally talented young witch. J.K. Rowling has said that Hermione is a "borderline genius."
Hermione's
Reception
Hermione is viewed by many as a feminist icon.[64] In The Ivory Tower and Harry Potter, the first book-length analysis of the Harry Potter series (edited and compiled by Lana A. Whited), a chapter titled "Hermione Granger and the Heritage of Gender" by Eliza T. Dresang, discusses Hermione's role in the series and its relation to feminist debates.[65] The chapter begins with an analysis of Hermione's name and the role of previous characters with the same name in mythology and fiction, and the heritage Hermione has inherited from these characters due to her name. Dresang also emphasises Hermione's parallelism with Rowling herself and how, as Hermione has some attributes from Rowling herself, she must be a strong character.
The chapter also points out that, despite being born to Muggle parents, Hermione's magical abilities are innate. Her "compulsion for study" helps both the character's development, which makes Hermione "a prime example that information brings power", and the plot of the series, as her knowledge of the wizard world is often used to "save the day". Dresang states that "Harry and Ron are more dependent on Hermione than she is on them." However, she adds that Hermione's "hysteria and crying happen far too often to be considered a believable part of the development of Hermione's character and are quite out of line with her core role in the book."[65]
UGO Networks listed Hermione as one of their best heroes of all time, saying, "Most of us can probably recall having a classmate like Hermione when we were in grammar school"—one who "can at first be a little off-putting, but once you get to know her, she's not a bad chick to have on your side".[66] IGN also listed Hermione as their second top Harry Potter character, praising her character development.[67] In 2016 The Hollywood Reporter did a poll of Hollywood professionals, including actors, writers and directors, into their favourite female characters of all time; Hermione topped the poll.[3]
However, in an analysis for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Rowland Manthrope states that "seven books on, we still only know her as swottish, sensible Hermione—a caricature, not a character."[71] In 2014, Rowling admitted that the finale of her story should have featured Hermione paired with Harry instead of Ron (Harry ends up marrying Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister).[72]
Portrayals
Film series
Emma Watson played Hermione in all eight
Rowling herself was supportive of Watson after her first screen test.[73] When asked if she thought actors suited the characters, Rowling said, "Yes, I did. Emma Watson in particular was very, very like Hermione when I first spoke to her, I knew she was perfect from that first phone call."[8]
Watson was well-received for the first film; IGN even commented that "from Hermione Granger's perfect introduction to her final scene, Watson is better than I could have possibly imagined. She steals the show."[77] IGN also wrote that her "astute portrayal of Hermione has already become a favourite among fans."[78]
Before the production of Half-Blood Prince, Watson considered not returning,[79] but eventually decided that "the pluses outweighed the minuses" and that she could not bear to see anyone else play Hermione.[80]
Watson has said that Hermione is a character who makes "brain not beauty cool," and that though Hermione is "slightly socially inept," she is "not ashamed of herself."[81] When filming Chamber of Secrets, Watson was "adamant" that she wasn't like Hermione, but she reflects that "as I got older, I realised she was the greatest role model a girl could have."[82] In 2007, before the release of Order of the Phoenix, Watson said, "There are too many stupid girls in the media. Hermione's not scared to be clever. I think sometimes really smart girls dumb themselves down a bit, and that's bad. When I was nine or ten, I would get really upset when they tried to make me look geeky, but now I absolutely love it. I find it's so much pressure to be beautiful. Hermione doesn't care what she looks like. She's a complete tomboy."[80]
Screenwriter Steve Kloves revealed in a 2003 interview that Hermione was his favourite character. "There's something about her fierce intellect coupled with a complete lack of understanding of how she affects people sometimes that I just find charming and irresistible to write."[10]
Theatre
In Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hermione is played by Eswatini-born actress Noma Dumezweni, known for her work in Linda, A Raisin in the Sun and A Human Being Died That Night.[83] Dumezweni described the role as a "privilege and a responsibility" and said that "we all aspire to be Hermione."[84] The choice of a black actress to play her led to criticism on social media, which J.K. Rowling described as being by "a bunch of racists", adding that the books never explicitly mention her race or skin tone and that she has been portrayed as black in fan art.[44] Dumezweni herself called the backlash "so unimaginative",[85] stating that "So many young actors and actresses have told me that they’re so pleased I’m playing Hermione because they can see a version of themselves on the stage."[86]
Dumezweni got praise for her performance; The Independent said that she "did a tremendous job as the stern witch."[87] At the 2017 Laurence Olivier Awards, Dumezweni got the Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Hermione.[86]
In popular culture
Hermione has been parodied in many sketches and animated series. On
In Harry Cover, a French comic book parody of Harry Potter by Pierre Veys (later translated into Spanish and English), Hermione appears as Harry Cover's friend Hormone.[95] Hermione also appears in Potter Puppet Pals sketches by Neil Cicierega; and in the A Very Potter Musical, A Very Potter Sequel, and A Very Potter Senior Year musicals by StarKid Productions played by Bonnie Gruesen in the first two and Meredith Stepien in the third.
Hermione is the focus of the fan-created web-series, Hermione Granger and the Quarter Life Crisis.
Notes
- ^ The scene in which Hermione solves the puzzle during the entrance to the Philosopher's Stone was not included in the movie.
Bibliography
- Page numbers are shown as (UK/US) where applicable
- ISBN 0-590-35340-3.
- ISBN 0-439-06486-4.
- ISBN 0-439-13635-0.
- ISBN 0-439-13959-7.
- ISBN 0-439-35806-X.
- ISBN 0-439-78454-9.
- ISBN 0-545-01022-5.
References
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My feminist conscience is saved by Hermione, who's the brightest character. I love Hermione as a character.
- ^ a b "Hermione Jean Granger's name is more a reflection of her parents than her own personality". Insider. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
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- ^ a b c Rebecca Ratcliffe (5 June 2016). "JK Rowling tells of anger at attacks on casting of black Hermione". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
Author says Noma Dumezweni is 'best for the job' in West End play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child ... JK Rowling has revealed her frustration at online reaction by "a bunch of racists" to news that the role of Hermione will be played by a black actress in the eagerly awaited new play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. ... Rowling has pointed out that there is no reason why Hermione should be white. The books don't explicitly mention her race or skin colour, and she is often portrayed as black in fan art.
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- ^ Rowling 1999, p. 46.
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- ^ Tan, Monica (21 December 2015). "Noma Dumezweni cast as Hermione in new Harry Potter stage play". TheGuardian.Com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
- ^ Trueman, Matt (26 February 2016). "Noma Dumezweni on playing Hermione in Harry Potter: 'we all aspire to be her'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- ^ "Black actress Noma Dumezweni reacts to Hermione Granger casting". BBC Newsbeat. 12 January 2016. Archived from the original on 31 December 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- ^ a b Furness, Hannah (9 April 2017). "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child casts its spell over the Oliviers with a record-breaking nine awards". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- ^ Shepherd, Jack (25 July 2016). "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, review: A magical experience tailor made for the stage". The Independent. Archived from the original on 29 July 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
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Sources
- ISBN 9780313320675.
- Horne, Jackie C. (2010). "Harry and the other: answering the race question in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter". ProQuest 221753179.
External links
- Hermione Granger on Harry Potter Wiki, an external wiki
- Hermione's entry at Harry Potter Lexicon