So I have come across this quote before but never thought on it too much.
I’ve met a lot of girls who say they recognize themselves in Hermione. I think it’s a very female way of coping, to try and be the best. Hermione is a character I understand really, really well. I consciously try to make it clear that underneath the aggravating surface is someone who is actually quite insecure, hence her constant struggle to be the best. I think boy readers can grudgingly see the point of Hermione. Girls tend to identify with her a lot more. It probably is a particularly female characteristic for young girls to cover up their insecurities about feeling plain, or whatever inadequacy, by trying to get the best marks. “–J.K. Rowling, September 1999
Ok best marks and all that jazz with the coping and whatnot.
But can you imagine coming from a family of dentists in the muggle world and being shown this whole universe of magic and amazing creatures and having it all taken away because you didn’t have the absolute best marks, because you didn’t try hard enough? Sure thats an insecurity but whenever I see this quote I always read it in a way that applies to the trouble of growing up, and Hermione is so much better than that.In my head Hermione is just working her very hardest to earn what was given to her.
Just saying.
