It’s time for the (almost) once every book occurrence of the chapter title being the same as the book title! Alice and Martha debate whether Sirius or Harry had a worse summer, analyze gender roles within the Order of the Phoenix, and feel sorry for poor baby Ginny.
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Hey! I was the one who suggested comparing gender roles. Thanks for talking about it. I had completely forgotten I even made that comment so it was a fun surprise to hear you mention it (I’m a little behind on the show, so I just listened to this chapter).
I had always noticed that Mrs. Weasley does a lot of household chores and mothering. It’s not at all a bad thing – she seems like a phenomenal parent and it’s totally fine to choose to have more traditional gender roles. She reminds me a lot of moms I have spent time around, tbh! We see that same traditional household structure with the Dursleys, too.
I agree, like you said, that the trouble is perhaps that J.K. Rowling set up those dynamics without examining them. It shows some of her internalized social biases, but those probably reflect where we were socially at the times the books were written. I agree she could have challenged those norms more to critique or deconstruct them, but perhaps her portrayals of women were pretty groundbreaking at the time? (https://www.bitchmedia.org/post/iconography-harry-potter-and-the-girls-who-weren%E2%80%99t-chosen-ones)
Looking forward to future the podcast looking at the role of women as the books continue!
So here’s other things to ponder: I’ve been re-listening to all the audiobooks, especially books 4 and 5. I’m really struck by how she characterizes / talks about non-human magical creatures. It’s odd to me and in some ways problematic, especially the house elves, the scene that introduces Grawp, and the scenes with the centaurs.
Last fall I read this article, which I’m still digesting six months later, but I think has really stuck as I’m re-evaluating the books. It’s interesting to look at them with an equity / social justice lens – not a perfect exercise by any means – but just interesting practice for analyzing what pieces of media do or don’t reflect about the real world, and why.
https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/cloaking-white-supremacy/harry-potters-legacy-blood-purity
Titular chapters always come with fun banter about it.
I got resentfulness from Sirius as well.
I never even thought abot Bill and Tonks. I think that Charlie and Tonks were in the same grade.
I never thought about gender roles and it turned out to be a great conversation.
I thought that Sirius had the worse summer until I remembered the threat of expulsion looming over Harry.
Martha’s impression of Mundungus was precious. 🙂
I actually liked the flash of vindictive Harry. Maybe his bad mood through out the chapter won’t be a downer for me after all.
The weapon part kind of confused me at first but I have a better understanding now.
I love how Lupin is preventing loopholes when talking about the Order.
Woo, go Canada! I’m happy that your friend sent you the Canadian reviews.
With all of the massive cleaning, I hope the House of Black isn’t getting blacker!!