Professor Minerva McGonagall
An example that shows why McGonagall is a strong female character in the series is in the Order of the Phoenix, when she shows that she won’t back down to anyone, no matter who they are or what they demand. When Dolores Umbridge assumed control of Hogwarts, it is Professor McGonagall that is the only one who took a stand against her. When Umbridge made the remark that Harry hadn’t been doing well in school, McGonagall responds “I should have made my meaning plainer . . . He has achieved high marks in all Defense Against the Dark Arts tests set by a competent teacher” (Rowling 664). She continues to weaken Umbridge’s authority when the argument about Harry becoming an Auror is brought up. McGonagall insists that Harry has a chance of becoming an Auror, a very influential wizard job, but Umbridge asserted that Harry had no chance of ever being one. Even though Umbridge was McGonagall’s boss at the time, she didn’t have a problem standing up to her, and she fought her on this issue and McGonagall states “Potter, I will assist you to become an Auror if it’s the last thing I do!” (Rowling 665) She decided that she would coach Harry, and help him with whatever he needed to learn in order to become an Auror. The fact that Professor McGonagall successfully defends her beliefs that Harry can be an Auror and that she stands up to Umbridge, even though no other professor will, demonstrates what an important character McGonagall is in the series. The fact that Professor McGonagall always sticks up for Harry, no matter what the circumstances are and how much trouble she could get in for doing so, she still does it, and that demonstrates such strength in a person, and shows that McGonagall is a true leader.
McGonagall is a feminist because her every actions and every decision she makes don’t depend on a man in her life. Her reality does not center on behavior of any man, or anyone that she loves. Also, the other thing that contributes her attributes to feminism is the fact that all of the fighting that she does in her life is to protect the students and Hogwarts, instead of fighting to defend or shield a man she is in love with. This fact that a woman is not blinded by love, and can fight and make her own decisions in life, makes her a feminist because, just like Storey’s definition, she is a woman who has her own power, and does not need a man in her life to tell her what to do, or to fight for, or to do anything for at all.
McGonagall is a feminist because her every actions and every decision she makes don’t depend on a man in her life. Her reality does not center on behavior of any man, or anyone that she loves. Also, the other thing that contributes her attributes to feminism is the fact that all of the fighting that she does in her life is to protect the students and Hogwarts, instead of fighting to defend or shield a man she is in love with. This fact that a woman is not blinded by love, and can fight and make her own decisions in life, makes her a feminist because, just like Storey’s definition, she is a woman who has her own power, and does not need a man in her life to tell her what to do, or to fight for, or to do anything for at all.
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This is a video of a scene from The Order of The Phoenix. It shows McGonagall standing up to Umbridge when no one else would, and she is protecting the students. McGonagall is a strong role model because she shows that she won’t back down to anyone, no matter who they are or what they are demanding. The fact that Professor McGonagall sticks up for her students, especially Harry, demonstrates strength and courage, and shows that she is a leader.
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This video is a scene from the last Harry Potter movie, where Harry Potter confronts Snape about Dumbledore's death in front of everyone, and when Snape takes out his wand to potentially fight Harry, McGonagall steps in front of Harry. She protects Harry, just like his mother did when he was a baby, and fights Snape.
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