The next article in the Harry Potter and Philosophy collection is by Patrick Shade (Associate Professor of Philosophy at Rhodes College, TN ), and is entitled “Heroic Hermione: Celebrating the Love of Learning.” As the title suggests, the spotlight here is on Hermione Granger. Gather ’round all ye bookworms, because Prof. Shade does justice to Hermione’s dedication to reading and study.
Here’s an abstract of his article (below the jump).
Using American Pragmatist William James’s insights into the blindness that our practical nature can cause in pursuing narrow purposes, Shade argues that Hermione Granger stands out as a unique character in the Harry Potter series due to her liberatory love of learning. Her devotion to learning helps her to transcend the limits of narrow purposes, providing Harry and Ron much needed information and insight.
After characterizing the habits that constitute the love of learning (including curiosity, discipline, and self-direction), Shade draws out two significant lessons about Hermione that James and fellow American Pragmatist John Dewey help us to appreciate. The first is that her intellectual virtues fund her moral character, especially her commitment to the cause of “elf justice.” The second is that she eventually integrates the benefits of theoretical and practical thinking, showing that the love of learning is both liberating and effective. While not entirely free of certain blindnesses herself, Hermione’s love of learning provides her with the qualities needed to overcome her own limitations, much in the way that Dumbledore overcame his blindness as a young man vis-a-vis Grindelwald.
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Great post and ideas represented therin. On the most recent re-read of the series (just finished up Thursday) I found myself very drawn to Hermione this time around (which, incidentally, is what makes the series so fantastic- I find different tidbits and characters touch me every time). Hermione is a favorite character among many of my profession (librarians) for the obvious reasons, and my recent journey through HP highlighted to me how much Hermione represents the ideal learner. While at first her knowledge of the Wizarding World seems driven by her insecurity as a Muggle-born, her knowledge is also liberating. While sometimes her bookishness keeps her narrow-minded, more often than not she acknowledges there is more to learn and continues to use knowledge and information to her advantage. And because her knowledge is balanced by her love of friends and loyalty to them, Hermione becomes an irreplaceable asset on all of the Quests throughout the story.
Cbiondi, thank you SO much for providing the link to the article “Heroic Hermione: Celebrating the Love of Learning” by Patrick Shade. I read it with great interest and really enjoyed it. As a life long learner, the article makes so many points that are near and dear to my heart.
I appreciate that Shade makes the point that just because a person is a life long learner, if much of the learning is in one narrow area or supports the learner’s beliefs, “learning may close in one itself so that directive beliefs ossify into dogma” (p.96). Although she is not perfect, Hermione has an open mind that branches in many directions.
Hermione is possibly my favorite character in the series, and I loved the compilation of so many of her amazing qualities and the descriptions of instances exemplifying her growth as a person. Shade points out how Harry receives individual instruction and attention from several teachers, whereas Hermione does not, except in the instance where Professor McGonagall secures the time turner for her. In fact, Shade adds, “Hogwarts offers Hermione little direct nurturing” (p.102). I’m not a writer of fan fiction, but the one story that I would love to write would be of Professor McGonagall mentoring Hermione and the two of them sharing a special connection like Harry and Dumbledore have. Minerva McGonagall has a lot more potential as a character than the uptight, irritable spinster stereotype she is often (not always) portrayed as. I’d like to see what magic her and Hermione’s minds could conjure up together. McGonagall providing the time turner seems a promising start.
I don’t appreciate the way that Dumbledore speaks to McGonagall at times, nor that he leaves her in the dark about information that she is worthy of knowing and capable of protecting. I think it is pointed out in the books (by Aberforth, maybe?) that one of Dumbledore’s flaws is his secretiveness, his tendency to act alone. Shade points out in a footnote on p. 101 that “Harry falls into the more traditional hero mode near the end of the series, discovering truths for himself and making decisions without much input from his friends.” But “Hermione shares her knowledge and develops plans of action collaboratively.” She has all the wonderful traits of a lover of learning and is a caring and sharing person, besides.
I appreciate those who appreciate Hermione!
I’m so glad that you both enjoyed Pat Shade’s article!
His analysis and understanding of Hermione is so wonderful in all of the ways that you explain, phoenixsong58. While I’ve read some articles about Hermione before, this one is one of the most sustained, nuanced, and lovingly done. It was a joy working as Pat’s editor on this and seeing how the project developed under his vision of Heroic Hermione as a truly life-long learner.
Yes, a fanfic piece on McGonagall mentoring Hermione would be awesome, especially with a collaborative dimension present. If you ever choose to write that, or come across a well done example of that, please let us know!
Cbiondi, I agree with you that this article on Hermione is special compared to most others. I didn’t realize you had edited it! Congratulations on a job well done! It’s a beautiful piece of writing. Thanks again.
Thanks, Phoenixsong58! I edited a collection called Imagining Better: Philosophical Issues in Harry Potter that came out this past June in Reason Papers. It grew out of an HP conference I organized at my college in Fall 2011. Here’s the link to the entire collection:
http://www.reasonpapers.com/pdf/341/rp_341.pdf
By mid-Fall, each of the essays will have been posted serially here at THH so as to give a chance for folks to read and comment on them (there are four to go after Pat’s). Sometimes, the authors have joined us to participate in discussions of their articles.
Cbionidi, thanks very much for that link. Now I realize that I have seen some of them posted on this site. If I were even more like Hermione I would challenge myself to read them all. (Maybe I would have at her age.) This semester I’ve had some of the ancient Greek philosophers in my class, and unfortunately I have to admit that reading them sometimes makes me go cross-eyed!
I do think about the meaning and purpose of human life every single day, but still I find the subject of Philosophy difficult. I admire your abilities and knowledge!
Thanks for the link to the full collection cbiondi It is already added as a library resource for any interested students who come my way.