I'm so mad at JK Rowling because i feel like she just didn't know how to utilize Ron's character to the fullest. In other media I've seen/read a character like Ron, if treated right, would be (and he used to be) a fan favorite. There's series that have brought fan favorite characters back to life for God's sake! I can't believe Rowling treated Ron so badly cause he was so loved and her self insert wasn't at first
Though I think it’s mostly due to Steve Kloves… Rowling used to be more reasonable, but the moment Kloves arrived and convinced her to 1. drop her editor, 2. make Hermione the greatest thing since sliced bread, it was over for Ron.
Oh, he is wonderful, but he was shortchanged by his own author who lost sight of who her characters truly are. It’s utter bullshit.
Rowling is like that person in your life who tells you “oh I love you so much, I adore you, my dear" but… does nothing to prove it…
She says “I adore Ron" - great! - then immediately starts talking about everything that’s wrong with him. What the hell?
That’s not how you express your love for someone! She is very much like Hermione in that sense - Hermione is absolute crap at expressing her love for Ron. Comparatively, it’s easier to see Ron’s feelings for Hermione shine through because that boy wears his heart on his sleeve.
I wholeheartedly agree that Ron needed to mature- he was a kid, every child needs to grow up and mature. He could be petty, passive-aggressive, sulky, bratty and his immense insecurity is also the wellspring for the intense jealousy he has towards Viktor Krum. But from his insecurity also stems a bucketload of qualities, such as how he cannot stand it when someone is bullied, his humility, his compassion, his self-sacrificing nature - which even goes to the point of self-denial, and at worst to suicide (chess set).
It’s just… Rowling can’t stop coming up with qualities for Hermione and Harry. And Ron? She seems to only define hum through his flaws; she can’t come up with anything positive without talking about his flaws first! This completely destroys what Ron stands for - that your mistakes don’t define you, that you’re more than your insecurities! That’s the keystone of Ron’s character - that he has more virtues than he has flaws, ultimately!
Rowling reads like a passive-aggressive neg whenever Ron is mentionned. “Oh, yes, I adore you, even though you are so immature and petulant. You’re an asshole but you’re my asshole. Heehee, you really are someone difficult to get along with, aren’t you glad I love you so much?”
I’m probably projecting because I’ve seen that… I’ve been prey to that. I was made to feel worthless and as though everyone else was doing me a favour by tolerating my presence. So when Rowling does that to the character that has been pretty much confirmed in canon to be suffering from depression and low self-esteem… I know firsthand how damaging that can be.
jacobvanloon
gummygunk
stormborns
