Why Ginny Is Just As Inspirational As Hermione
Hermione is a hero, there’s no denying that. She’s proved that book nerds are cool and that girls can be warriors too. Since the release of the final book in the Harry Potter series, fans have been praising Hermione as an inspirational heroine. Hermione has been getting all the attention. Fans neglect to mention the other fantastic women in the series, such as Tonks, Luna, Fleur, Mrs. Weasley, and Ginny. Ginny Weasley is constantly referred to as Harry’s love interest and nothing more. However, even though Ginny isn’t a part of the golden trio, she’s just as inspirational as Hermione.
What most impresses me about Ginny is that even though she’s not a main character, she has a tremendous impact on all the other characters. The plot of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets had Ginny at its center. Ginny also fought against Voldemort, even though she thought he was Tom Riddle at the time. Ginny fought against Voldemort’s magical hold on her as best she could, even trying to flush a Horcrux down a toilet. Ginny’s strong will, even at the age of 11, is enviable. She had a strong sense of right and wrong even then, and she always stands up to evil.
While I relate to both Ginny and Hermione, the older I get, the more I understand Ginny better. On the surface, I seem more like Hermione. However, I interact with people like Ginny does. I hang out with friends like Luna, and I’m an open-minded person. Where Hermione is stubborn and proud to a fault, I try to listen to other people’s perspectives. This is something that Ginny seamlessly does as a character. Whenever she and Harry talk, she listens patiently and always responds with kind words. Sometimes being loyal and kind is just as important as being clever.
What’s important to recognize when reading the Harry Potter books is that not every Potterhead will relate to Hermione Granger. Not all of us have frizzy hair, witty comebacks, and a sharp tongue. It’s easier to relate to Ginny sometimes. When we first meet Hermione in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, she’s bossy and cold to others. Ginny is shy, but mostly friendly and occasionally clumsy. I was more like Ginny when I was younger. Even though I could be bossy sometimes, I was mostly quiet and klutzy around people I wanted to impress. I’m sure that other Potterheads can relate to Ginny as well.
When I hear negative comments about Ginny as a character, they’re concerned with her not being included in the books enough, and then when she is, she’s obsessed with Harry. To me, Ginny has always been present in the important scenes in the Potter books. Yes, Ginny does have a crush on Harry, but as she grows up, she finds other interests and becomes her own person. She’s a strong female athlete, she dates other people, and she always stands up for herself.
Ginny doesn’t take crap from anyone, and she’s been like that from day one. Ginny never avoids confrontation, even before her first year at Hogwarts when she stood up to Draco at Flourish and Blotts. Ginny’s sass improves as the series progresses. When she stood up for herself in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix when Harry dismissed her, I wanted to cheer on Ginny’s behalf! She made it clear to Harry that he’s not the only person who’s been possessed by Voldemort and that she does understand him. Few people have dared to stand up to Harry, but Ginny is never afraid to do so.
Ginny Weasley is not a better or worse heroine than Hermione. Ginny and Hermione each have their own strengths. For Hermione, she’s logical, book smart, and clever. Ginny is smart too, but in other ways. She’s more kinesthetic and she’s a gifted Quidditch player. Ginny is more open-minded in her beliefs, which is probably why Ginny gets along so well with Luna. Both Ginny and Hermione are equally capable witches, each with their specific strengths. To the Potterheads out there, I say, let’s share our love for Ginny, the red-haired goddess of Quidditch.
