Five More Underrated Feminist Moments
There are so many empowering feminist moments within the Harry Potter series, such as Hermione starting SPEW to get equal rights for house-elves. Here at MuggletNet, we have already looked at underrated feminist moments, but in honor of International Women’s Day earlier this month, here are five more moments we love.
1. Professor McGonagall Versus the Aurors
There is no shortage of iconic Professor Mcgonagall moments within Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The most well-known scene has to be when she stands up to Umbridge by saying she will support Harry in becoming an Auror. Throughout the book, she continues to stand up for those being harassed by Umbridge, such as looking out for Trelawney when she is fired. However, one of the moments we love so much is when McGonagall stands up for Hagrid when Aurors come.
This situation leaves McGonagall in St. Mungo’s after taking four Stunning Spells to the chest. Following this attack, most of the school is horrified, and Madam Pomfrey even says that if it weren’t for the students at Hogwarts, she would leave the school due to what happened. Even though McGonagall ends up injured, it is a moment we appreciate since it shows that the rest of the school supports her. No matter what, McGonagall stands up for those she cares about – even if others hold stereotypes or prejudices against them, such as Umbridge does with Hagrid – and she will fight for them.
2. Augusta Longbottom Defying Stereotypes
Augusta Longbottom is a character who appears briefly in the series, but she is one we love nonetheless. From her iconic fashion sense to being someone who is not afraid to speak her mind, she is such a strong character. She stands up for what she believes in and doesn’t take any nonsense from anyone. Though she is a strict woman, she is very proud of herself, where she comes from, and her family. She also is not one to back down from a fight.
Source: Pottermore
When Dawlish was sent to take her hostage to ensure Neville behaved in Hogwarts, she sent Dawlish to St. Mungo’s and went on the run. Dawlish wrongly presumed that Augusta wouldn’t be able to fight back and that he had the advantage in this situation. We find this moment empowering since even though Augusta is an older woman, she isn’t portrayed as weak or feeble. It is so refreshing to see this stereotype broken – age isn’t something that stops her.
3. Ginny Playing Quidditch
When she was younger, Ginny was never allowed to play Quidditch with her brothers whenever they played it during the summers at the Burrow. However, she never let this stop her – she broke into the shed, stole broomsticks, and taught herself how to play Quidditch. This was a secret that she kept for years, and her brothers only found out when Hermione told them. They were shocked at the level of skill that she had, and in her later life, Ginny made a career out of Quidditch. Playing Quidditch was something that clearly always interested her, and even though her family didn’t let her play, that never stopped her. It is so inspiring because it shows that if we work hard, we can achieve our goals.
4. Luna’s Return to Hogwarts
Luna is a character we love for various reasons. She’s someone who isn’t ashamed to be who she is even when others make fun of her. Luna also stands up for what is right constantly and is someone everyone should look up to. However, one moment we love and think deserves more attention is Luna returning to Hogwarts after her capture at Malfoy Manor. After being imprisoned for months, she still returns to Hogwarts to fight. We love this so much since it shows just how strong a character Luna is. Despite the fact that she went through some unimaginable traumas, she doesn’t let anything stop her.
5. Tonks Fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts
Tonks is a character who isn’t afraid to be herself; she is very proud to be who she is. But one underrated part of her story we love is her decision to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts instead of staying with Teddy. So many of the other characters expected her to stay at home with her son since it was seen as too dangerous for a new mother to fight. But she chooses to fight for something much more important instead. She chooses to fight to help make a better world for her son. We love this moment so much since it shows Tonks defying society’s expectations of what a mother is expected to do, and she goes above and beyond in helping to create a better world.
Are there any more moments that you think deserve more recognition? Let us know in the comments.
