On a different note

[mamadeb]

Molly Weasley is not the most loved character in HP fandom - some people think she's terrible. Just like other mothers in literature. I'm thinking, right now, of several of Jane Austen's mothers.

Molly Weasley was channeling them all. Lady Catherine (who would do anything for her daughter), both Mrs Dashwoods, Mrs Jennings, Lady Middleton, the older Mrs. Musgrove - all of these ladies, so often despised by reader and child. And leading them all - Mrs. Bennet. Yes, she's often silly and certainly short-sighted and no one can play favorites like her, but she loves all her daughters *that* fiercely. I can so see her wielding that wand.

Comments

[kadymae.livejournal.com]

Agreed.

She's a very flawed character, almost a caracature, really.

But hot DAMN! I loved that scene of her wielding that wand and dealing out death and destruction to anybody who tried to harm her girls.

[mamadeb.livejournal.com]

One of the strengths of Rowling's writing is that her characters are all flawed in some way.

Molly's flaw? She's overprotective to the point of oppression.

She's also a skilled healer, brilliant with household spells (which can't be simple) and I suspect she does most her knitting by hand. (Maybe I'll write that story.) I also believe she made her clock and broke the all-boy Weasley curse.

And she can let her kids go. She doesn't want to, but she can.

[ceilidh]

yes yes, agreed!

Becoming Jane Austen

[kerryp.livejournal.com]

It is interesting, in light of your observations above, that the actress who plays Molly Weasley in the movies, was also chosen to play Jane Austen's mother in the movie "Becoming Jane" (which I just saw Sunday for my birthday). Someone else must have been watching the movies and come to your same conclusion. I am glad you are feeling better and wish you a refuah sh'leimah for your remaining ailments.

[kressel.livejournal.com]

I love Molly, and I love her a million times more than Lady C or Mrs. Bennet, who are both hateful. Mrs. Musgrove, Mrs. Dashwood, and Mrs. Jennings are all right, though. Still, they have nothing on Molly Weasley. I even agreed with her in her fight with Sirius at the beginning of Book V. Yeah, she's fiercely overprotective, and that's a good thing.

I suspect Molly is disliked mainly by teenage fans who have conflicts with their own mothers.

[mamadeb.livejournal.com]

I'm no fan of Lady Catherine, but Mrs. Bennet - I've been changing my mind about *that* lady.

It started a couple of years ago when I did a closer reread of the scene where Lady Catherine goes to Longbourne to order Elizabeth not to marry Darcy.

Mrs. Bennet acted exactly as a gentlewoman should (which is actually surprising.) For all of Elizabeth and Darcy's apprehension, she said and did nothing that would embarrass her daughter - making Lady C look even more ill-mannered. I was quite proud of her.

And in the latest rereading - there is no doubt she is silly and gossipy and often childish, and very superficial. On the other hand, she has a very real fear governing her life - her daughters *must* marry, or they would have no means of survival. She in all likelihood had nightmares about this, about her daughters dependent on relatives or worse.

Did she go about this wisely? No - she's still very silly and childish. But her heart was in the right place. And I do believe she'd kill for her daughters.

[kressel.livejournal.com]

BS"D

Between this discussion and my lack of success in professional publishing, I'm seriously considering going back to "To the Chuppah."

[vass]

Just like other mothers in literature.

Yes. I didn't think of that, but you're right. No wonder people are conflicted about her. (Thank goodness she's not like Sons and Lovers.)