Judith Butler Stereotypes

The notion that gender is socially constructed is an idea that Judith Butler argues against, instead she suggests that gender does not exist. Butler states that gender cannot exist until performed, these acts that are performed are merely repetitions of pre-established behaviour. Instead we impersonate what we believe to be gender and gender appropriate, these gender conventions that are impossible to maintain as every person is different. (Butler 2009) It is these learned behaviours that establish gender stereotypes. It is these gender stereotypes that children learn, which they then adapt to suitability of personality, culture etc. J.K Rowling is a writer who has caused much argument as to whether her books reinforce negative gender stereotypes
The example is that used of the troll in the dungeon, where Hermione is reduced to a cowering and powerless which is typically seen as a female trait. Although Hermione does gain her power back, she does need saving but her logic challenges this binary as she saves her friends twice. Rowling with the character of Hermione also challenges the irrational, emotional binary that is often found in children’s literature. Not only can Hermione be vulnerable and emotional but she is rewarded for her ‘cool use of logic in the face of fire’ What Rowling seeks to do is to develop the gender stereotypes, specifically with female characters. The use of logic negates her powerlessness, challenging the stereotype as ‘cool’ and ‘logic’ are in juxtaposition to her ‘sobbing’ character. The first book of the series is a beginning of a journey for each character, Hermione begins by seemingly being bossy and a know it all “Are you sure that’s a real spell?” Said the girl. “Well it’s not very good, is it?’(Rowling pg. 79) Yet it is her intelligence and gift for magic that does what is stereotypically seen as a male role to ‘save the