I've got nothing to say...

[donnaimmaculata]

Hm. I haven't updated for about two weeks. I haven't commented much, either - I have been reading my flist regularly and have begun writing comments in several instances, but haven't posted them in the end, feeling as though I had nothing relevant to say *points to subject line* I'm not ignoring you. You're all wonderful people who say interesting things; it's only my mind that's completely blank...

...Nevertheless, it's still able to come up with some fannish thoughts every now and then:

With the release of HBP drawing ever nearer, there's been a lot of speculation about whom Harry will end up with. I've always been a supporter of the Harry/Parvati pairing - yes, I like Parvati - and here's something to support this theory: [Parvati] is usually described as very beautiful. She showed a keen interest in Shiva from the outset, repeating his name to herself and taking delight in hearing about his appearance and deeds. While she is a child a sage comes to her house and after examining the marks on her body predicts that she will marry a naked yogi. When it becomes clear that she is destined to marry Shiva, her parents are usually described as feeling honored. Parvati too is delighted.

Names mean something in Rowling's universe. Clearly, Parvati is destined to become the wife of a major deity hero.

I'm not entirely sure how I've came to like Parvati. Having analysed the way she's characterised throughout the novels, I realised that Rowling portrays her as a very outspoken girl who stands up for people and against injustice - believe it or not. Her behaviour is strikingly different from Lavender's, who is much more timid. But that's not the reason why began liking Parvati. I don't base my likes or dislikes on an analysis of the characters. I like or dislike them instinctively, and then I start looking for reasons for my preferences and aversions.

So what is it that makes me like or dislike characters? It's by no means connected to any moral issues - I see plainly Hagrid's prejudiced and dangerous, but it doesn't make me dislike him. Remus is a liar who compulsively dodges responsibility, and yet I love him. I understand Molly's reasons for being overprotective, but she annoys the hell out of me.


Sad as it is, I think I'm simply superficial and like characters who are a) pretty, b) cool, or c) have a sense of humour.

Let's see.

Pretty:

Cho.
I like Cho. I like the way she flirted with Harry during their first Quidditch match together, it was neatly understated and playful. Of course she used her charm to trying to win, but she wasn't obsessed about it. She also obviously likes Harry for being Harry and not for being the Hero. And during all their interactions in OotP, it was Harry who was the annoying one, not Cho. She even came to apologise for Marietta after the sneak incident. ("No, it was only... well, I just wanted to say... Harry, I never dreamed Marietta would tell..." (OotP, Snape's Worst Memory)) It was Harry who was angry and resentful and didn't accept her apology and made her angry in turn.

Fleur.
While I can't say that I like Fleur, I don't dislike her, either. She's got every reason for resenting Harry's being accepted as the fourth champion - it is blatantly unfair - and apart from that, she's merely mildly arrogant, which is not an attribute that puts me off.

Sirius.
I love Sirius. Yes, he was a teenage asshole, yes, he's not exactly sensible, and yes, he can be an annoying prick. But he's got redeeming features aplenty, and they're suffice to make me like him. Plus, there's the casual elegance, which he has not lost after Azkaban. Rowling never said he did, did she?

Bill.
Oh yes, Bill! I really am quite a Bill fangirl. The hair, the freckles, and the casual arrogance he displays in interaction with his brothers really do it for me.

I don't care for Bellatrix and Cedric, though, the other canonically pretty characters.

Cool:

Remus.
Yes, Remus is definitely very, very cool. Even Dean acknowledges it. He deals with difficult situations effortlessly, and he never lets others get to him. Remus, in fact, is the epitome of coolness in my eyes.

Snape.
The voice, the sarcasm, the long swishing cloak. Oh yes.

Sirius.
Not because of the motorbike and the leather collar. But the no-one can deny he's the textbook example for rebel attitude.

Bill.
Because - yes.

Minerva.
She just is, and not only since OotP. Plus, I've always had an affinity for the strict-yet-secretly-warmhearted old spinster type. I think they rock.

Kingsley.
Tall, black and cool. Deep, slow voice.


Sense of humour:

Minerva.
I don't know why, but I think she's secretly got a great sense of humour. Quite possibly because of the connotation with similar characters from other children books, such as Marilla Cuthbert from the Anne of Green Gables series: "Marilla was a tall, thin woman, with angles and without curves; her dark hair showed some gray streaks and was always twisted up in a hard little knot behind with two wire hairpins stuck aggressively through it. She looked like a woman of narrow experience and rigid conscience, which she was; but there was a saving something about her mouth which, if it had been ever so slightly developed, might have been considered indicative of a sense of humor."

Ginny.
I've always liked Ginny. She's about the only female character in the whole series who laughs at seriously silly things, and I do appreciate it. She giggles a lot - so what? I giggle like a hyena at the most stupid puns, and I'm not even a teenager any longer.

Remus.
Remus' gives the impression of being secretly amused about things that go on around him almost all the time. And a man who dressed up Snape in Mrs Longbottom's dress cannot be suspected of not having a sense of humour.

Bill.
He indulges in silly table banging with his brother (GoF) and jokes in the face of Evil (OotP). And he's pretty and cool, too.

Sirius.
"Call me Snuffles." *cracks up*

Ron.
"Animal magnetism." *cracks up even more*

Harry.
"Harry thought Dudley looked like a pig in a wig." Harry's really got some excellent one-liners; pity they drown under all the teenage angst.

I also like Arthur and Hagrid, who don't fit into any of these categories. Hm. Can we say "cuddly"?

The characters I dislike most are not the evil ones, but those who annoy me, i.e. Hermione, Draco and Molly. Their behaviour ranges from interfering, through loud to whiny, and they make me want to slap them and gag them and lock them up in some dark, forgotten dungeon.



And just so you know: I'm definitely not going to use Frienditto, and I'd greatly appreciate if none of my flocked posts would be made available to the public.

Comments

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Frienditto sucks, and I assure you I will never make any posts public. *g*

That said... I like this theory. *g* I like Parvati, and disagree with the 'bimbo' portrayal that she usually gets in fanfic.

Now, speaking of the Shiva-Parvati myth, it also involved a lot of worshipping and self-adjustment on Parvati's part to make herself worthy of Shiva. I wonder if our Parvati would require to do the same? And then there's the myth of Durga, the demon-killing warrior goddess, who's also another incarnation of Parvati...

Swatkat

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

Oh, of course you're familiar with the Parvati myth! I wasn't, but I quite like the idea of Parvati becoming important at some point. Even though I'm not sure what sort of self-adjustment she'd have to make to be worthy of Harry, the naked yogi.

And then there's the myth of Durga, the demon-killing warrior goddess, who's also another incarnation of Parvati...

Padma? Rowling would not have created identical twins for nothing...

Re: PS - Go on, grab Hermione and get her out of here! *g*

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Oh, of course you're familiar with the Parvati myth!

I am, but it would've never occured to me. *g*

Even though I'm not sure what sort of self-adjustment she'd have to make to be worthy of Harry, the naked yogi.

*is slightly distracted by the thought of yogi!Harry*

Hmm. She's a part of the DA, so she's not as frivolous as Harry thinks she is. Maybe she'll contribute something significant that would make Harry sit up? He isn't exactly the most observant person in the world.

Padma? Rowling would not have created identical twins for nothing...

Hee. Does she get to kill someone with a trident?

The name Padma doesn't suggest anything to me as such, (lotus... Laxmi? Goddess of wealth and well-being? Also a daughter of Shiva and Parvati? nah) but I do like the idea. LOL

Re: PS - Go on, grab Hermione and get her out of here! *g*

*grabs Hermione and takes her to a safe place*

There, girl - no one will touch you here. *pets*

Swatkat

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

See, it only occured to me, because I've never heard of Parvati-the-Goddess before, and when I came across her name, I immediately connoted her with Pavati Patil.

Maybe she'll contribute something significant that would make Harry sit up?

I still think that she'll turn out to be a Seer. Because there must be a true Seer in the series, what with prophecies being so important, and Trelawny said that Parvati has the Inner Eye.

Does she get to kill someone with a trident?

Heh! I like this idea! Padma the demon-killing warrior goddess. Reads a bit like a SuperPower!Mary Sue.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

I still think that she'll turn out to be a Seer. Because there must be a true Seer in the series, what with prophecies being so important, and Trelawny said that Parvati has the Inner Eye.

Oh, I do like this idea!

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

(I'm too lazy to look up the exact quote now.) After the Divination exam in PoA, Parvati says something along the lines of: "I saw lots of things. Professor Trelawny says I've got the makings of a true Seer." This is of course dismissed by Harry and Ron, but I think it's too good a throw-away line to not become true at some point.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

I agree. I can't imagine how a Seer fits in the scheme of things, though - mostly because I'm a bit uncomfortable with the whole prophecy deal. In JKR I trust. *g*

Swatkat

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

I don't like the whole prophecy plot, either, but it is there and I've got to deal with it. And surely Dumbledore's Army need a more reliable Seer than the very whimsical Trelawney?

P.S

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Their behaviour ranges from interfering, through loud to whiny, and they make me want to slap them and gag them and lock them up in some dark, forgotten dungeon.

*snatches Hermione away from teh evol grasp*

Swatkat

[seventines.livejournal.com]

Yes, I agree with the Parvati assessment, I think the constant association with Lavender Brown has meant that most people think they're identical. She's been acting independently since book 1 and usually not just following the flock. I do hope she's developed a bit more, I'd actually like to know some more backstory on both Padma and Parvati.

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

So would I. It's interesting that they're in different houses, and I'd like to know the reason for that. Parvati was first introduced quite early in PS, when she told Draco (or Pansy) to leave Neville and his Remembrall alone. I think this means something!

[scarah2.livejournal.com]

More canonical hotties:

Roger Davies
Lily


Harry's really got some excellent one-liners; pity they drown under all the teenage angst.

Ah he still cracks me up. The thing about Quirrell being a really excellent teacher except for the part about having Voldemort on the back of his head was great.

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

I forgot about Roger Davis. I'm not sure how I feel about Lily, because this character has been contaminated by fandom more strongly than most - she's very important, but we hardly know anything about her. I can't separate fanon!Lily from canon!Lily anymore.

The thing about Quirrell being a really excellent teacher except for the part about having Voldemort on the back of his head was great.

Oh yes, it truly was! Harry doesn't realise how funny he is. He's often spot-on on facts and delivers his lines in such a dry and understated manner.

[entiice.livejournal.com]

I love the theory on Parvati. :) I've never really known about the mythology of Parvati the Goddess. I knew that Parvati was a goddess of that name, but that analysis about how names are important to JKR just makes sense. I support Harry/Parvati as well *maybe you can tell by my icon? lol* and like Parvati. I hope HBP expands her and her sister's characters.

Since you're a fan of Parvati and the Harry/Parvati ship, maybe you'd like to check out these sites: http://floo-powder.org/parvati and http://floo-powder.org/potterpatil
I was thinking of putting up some theories and stuff about why Harry and Parvati could end up together in the books, so, if you have anything you want to contribute, let me know! :)

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

I was never aware of the myth myself; I only stumbled across it quite by accident. I'd like to see more of Parvati and Padma, too. It must be of some significance that they're identical twins who are in different houses, right?

Seeing as JKR insists that there are more Gryffindor girls in Harry's year than Hermione, Parvati and Lavender, I assume that those who get mentioned by name will be of some importance. At the moment (and until Rowling proves me wrong) it is my personal conviction that Parvati will turn out to be a true Seer. *points to comments above* After the Divination exam in PoA, Parvati says something along the lines of: "I saw lots of things. Professor Trelawny says I've got the makings of a true Seer." This is of course dismissed by Harry and Ron, but I think it's too good a throw-away line to not become true at some point.

I have no defined theory on why Harry and Parvati should end up together (I don't care much about shipping theories in general), apart from the fact that I like Parvati and I think it'd be quite neat. - They already were a couple at the ball, and she'd be a better, because more surprising, choice than Ginny or Hermione.

Thanks for the links, I'll make sure to have a look!

[mafdet.livejournal.com]

Here via d_s:

While I don't ship Parvati with Harry - I really, really would like to see her get together with Neville - I like Parvati. I think that there is more to her than the physically attractive, boy-crazy, giggling exterior would suggest. (It's unfortunate that the actress cast as Parvati in the PoA movie was so homely, as, canonically, she and her twin Padma are really supposed to be attractive.)

Parvati sticks up for Neville in PS/SS, questions Binns about the history of Hogwarts in CoS and doesn't sit around pining that Harry won't dance with her in GoF. (I love Harry, but let's face it - he does need to brush up on his date etiquette.) She goes off to chat and dance with the boys from Beauxbatons who seem more interested in her. And, in OOtP, we see her wielding a mean Reductor curse, reducing a table to sawdust with a flick of her wand. Parvati is, beneath the bangles and cosmetics, a smart and powerful witch who isn't afraid to speak her mind.

Why Parvati/Neville? The idea that Neville comes into his own and has the attraction power to get the prettiest girl in his year would make me cheer. Both are underestimated, for different reasons.

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

See, I don't care about Neville, and off the top of my head, I couldn't think of any interactions between Neville and Parvati in the books. - Apart from the one you mentioned in your comment, when she sticks up for him in the Remembrall scene.

I'm not sure - is she portrayed as boy-crazy in canon? I know she giggles a lot during the time leading up to the Ball, and she fancies Firenze, but apart from that? (This is an honest question, I really don't remember any other boy-related behaviour on her part.)

I love the examples you've named. There's also one instance in PoA, when Parvati is the only person aside from Harry and Hermione to stand up to Snape during class. I think it's when he covers class for Lupin.

Parvati likes Professor Trelawney, who's not a very good teacher, but I don't think this is in any way worse than Harry, Ron and Hermione liking Hagrid, who's not a very good teacher, either, and whose lessons are far more dangerous than Trewlaney's.

[cmere.livejournal.com]

here from the snitch.

Harry/Parvati is my one and only het ship (am a slasher at heart :P) I don't know why, I just like them together. Your analysis of characters is great too :D

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

I don't even actively ship them (I read and write mostly slash focusing on the older generation), but if Harry was to end up with any of the girls we've met in canon so far, I'd like it to be Parvati.

Heh! As I said, I seem to like characters just because they're pretty/cool/funny! No in-depth analysis here!

[spiffariffic.livejournal.com]

Also here from the snitch.

Good points about Parvati. I'd never noticed that she and Lavendar have interesting and (in my mind, since I've not studied either of them closely) subtle differences. You're right, Parvati does stick up and speak up a lot more than Lavendar. She even spoke out in Umbridge's first lesson, along with the trio and Dean, while Seamus, Neville and Lavendar didn't say a word. I've never understood why some people think that pretty=airhead. Giggling, reading Witch Weekly and liking Divination don't make you stupid, either, and neither does not liking to be ignored by your date, in my opinion.

I'd love to see more of Parvati in the books, and Padma too if possible.

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

Lavender is very often portrayed in connection with animals - she cries when her bunny dies, she is squeamish about mice in Transfiguration - while Parvati is more outgoing and outspoken. She also speaks up (alongside Harry and Hermione) in one of Snape's lessons in PoA (when he covers the lesson for Lupin, I think).

I've never understood why some people think that pretty=airhead.

I've got a sneaking suspicion that this view is somewhat influenced by teenie movies, where a bespectacled, ugly, yet clever heroine is bullied by the pretty, sexy, popular cheerleader harpies *shrugs* I'm not sure whether this is the scenario that Rowling tries to create in her novels,too - making Hermione the belle of the ball and all that. I hope it's not, because this would be just too shallow.

I hope to see more Parvati and Padma as well. Unfortunately, there's only so many characters Rowling will be able to flesh out.

[funwithrage.livejournal.com]

I was never a big fan of for pretty much those reasons--known too many girls who took the horoscopes and women's magazines too seriously, and anyone who behaves that way goes down a notch or five with me--but the differences you point out are interesting. I'll have to go back through them now.

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

Parvati doesn't have much screen time, but she voices her opinion in several instances quite unabashed. Personally, I have no problem with her girly attitude: she's pretty and she likes Trelawney, but this doesn't make her a bad person. For the record, Hermione "oohs" just like all the other girls when Grubbly-Plank shows them the unicorns.

I think Rowling's strength is to sketch characters with a few well-chosen attributes and to generate immediate connotations with people the readers have known in real life. This is probably why we react so strongly to her characters. We instantly recognise certain behaviour patterns that either attrackt or annoy us.

[karaz.livejournal.com]

here via the snitch too...

I have much love for Parvati. I really thought she'd have a bigger part by now. I love the scene in OoTP during OWLs when Harry's staring at her hair. Very reminicent of James doodling Lily's initials. While I doubt Jo plans to put them together - I'd love to see it too.

*wonders why all the ships I'd prefer are NEVER going to happen in Canon*

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

It's nice to see that there are people in the fandom who like Parvati. I don't remember that scene with Harry and her hair - but as I'm re-reading OotP right now, I will make sure to pay closer attention to it.

I am not very much interested in the question of ships in canon; I like the fact that it's all open and that I can try out different pairings without contradicting canonical facts. But if a Harry ship is going to happen, I'd defnitely choose Harry/Parvati.