Hermione Jane Granger Character Analysis

For young gals everywhere, literary heroines have become symbols of inspiration, opportunity, and courage in a time where, in spite of how far society has progressed, girls are still undervalued. The characters who exhibit traits of capable leaders are those who these young women admire. It is characters like Hermione Granger from Harry Potter who influence girls is the zenith of exemplary characters in the literary universe.

Hermione Jean Granger was born September 19, 1979, to non-magical parents, both of whom were “quite proud” of their magical daughter, although “a bit bemused” by her oddities (Rowling, “2004 Accio Quote”). She is elated upon her acceptance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and memorizes “all of [their]

set books off by heart” (Rowling, “Sorcerer’s Stone,” 105). This action is the first of many that designates Granger as a brilliantly gifted witch. During her study at Hogwarts, she is, to say the least, an overachiever.

In just her second year at Hogwarts, she brews a Polyjuice Potion, a concoction used to change the appearance of a witch or wizard. J.K. Rowling says “the fact that Hermione is able to make a competent Polyjuice Potion at the age of twelve is testimony to her outstanding magical ability, because it is a potion that many adult witches and wizards fear to attempt” (“Polyjuice Potion”). Granger, undoubtedly, cares deeply about academics. In “The Sorcerer’s Stone,” when the trio (Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger) is roaming the halls in search of Draco Malfoy to carry out a wizard’s duel, they come across a beastly three-headed dog. Although they manage to escape unscathed, Hermione tells the others, “I hope you’re pleased with yourselves. We could all have been killed—or worse, expelled” (Rowling, “Sorcerer’s Stone,” 162) In “Prisoner of Azkaban,” Professor Remus Lupin uses in one of his

lessons a boggart, a creature which takes the form of a person’s greatest fear. For Hermione Granger, the boggart took the form of Professor McGonagall, telling her she had “failed everything,” referencing both her final exams and failure in general (Rowling, 319). Granger’s fear of failure drives her to perfection in all her schooling, and this genius quality is pivotal in her achieving role model status as a literary character.
That drive which fuels Hermione Granger academically also propels her socially and emotionally. Granger stands by her convictions and does not take well to people insulting her or others’ character. Her stubbornness is clear in “The Prisoner of Azkaban,” after the gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid anguishes over the loss of his dear pet hippogriff Buckbeak, Draco Malfoy mocks Hagrid’s tears and Hermione slaps Malfoy “with all the strength she could muster” (Rowling, 293). Hagrid is a close friend to the trio and insulting him affects Granger personally. Her convictions are so deep-rooted that she smacks another student.
Apart from pure stubbornness, Granger’s adamance stretches past her fears and allows her to commit acts which she may have been leery of doing. In turn, her adamance transforms into bravery—the defining characteristic of Gryffindor house, of which Hermione is a member. As a matter of fact, Granger herself acknowledges this quite famously to Harry Potter before he faced the series’ villain: “Books! And cleverness! There are more important things—friendship and bravery” (Rowling, “Sorcerer’s Stone,” 287). In “The Deathly Hallows,” Granger alters her “parents’ memories … to make it more difficult for Voldemort to track them down and interrogate them” (Rowling, 96-97). She makes her own parents forgot who she is in order to keep them safe from crisis. In this instance, Granger exhibits true bravery by separating herself from her family, cutting off all ties from the people who love her most dearly, to ensure they stay alive. Hermione Granger’s adamance empowers her to stand by her beliefs and to stand firmly in the face of danger.
Last but certainly not least of Hermione Granger’s defining qualities is compassion.

Throughout the series, Granger acts as a maternal figure to the trio and to those who do not have the power to defend themselves. Her empathy radiates like no other, touching every lost soul she encounters. In “The Prisoner of Azkaban,” Granger buys a feisty ginger cat that had been in the shop for ages; “no one wanted him,” Granger said (Rowling, 61). Later in the same novel, a classmate, Neville Longbottom, is having difficulty brewing a shrinking potion; despite their professor’s warning that Longbottom should complete his task alone, Hermione Granger helps him avoid failure and embarrassment (Rowling, “Prisoner of Azkaban,”

126-128).
In the next volume of the series, “The Goblet of Fire,” Hermione Granger starts an organization dedicated to improving the lives of house-elves in Hogwarts. S.P.E.W., which “stands for the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare,” is meant to “secure house-elves fair wages and working conditions and … to get an elf into the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures because they’re shockingly underrepresented” (Rowling, 224-225). Despite the fact that the house-elves did not quite appreciate Granger’s assistance, it is believed that the house-elves’ free will grew considerably after the implementation of S.P.E.W., as the elves were seen fighting at the Battle of Hogwarts (Rowling, “The Deathly Hallows,” 734-735). Hermione Granger’s benevolence outweighs every piece of cruelty in the wizarding world—this trait is necessary to survive the harsh wizarding world and the naïve Muggle world and truly exemplifies her as a paragon for young ladies worldwide.
Hermione Jean Granger started simply as a nose buried in a book and ended as the “cleverest witch of [her] age” (Rowling, “The Prisoner of Azkaban,” 346). Her brilliance, resolve, and good will mark her as the poster child for accomplished women and establish her as the epitome of magnificence in her world. Hermione Granger was, is, and will always be an outstanding example for young and old women alike to admire.