JK Rowling and Introversion

[sweettalkeress.livejournal.com]

So here’s something that just occurred to me as I was pondering stuff. I’ve recently gotten interested in a book called Quiet, which is designed to be empowering for introverted people, especially in the US where they’re often marginalized. And one of the things it mentioned is that Rowling is an introvert. So how do you guys think that’s influenced her writing (if it even did at all)?

It sometimes seems like she doesn’t think very highly of introverted people in general, since Snape (for example) is an introvert generally regarded with disdain, while Harry always hangs out with his friends and Ron has a large family, which we’re supposed to think of as charming (to say nothing of how the Marauders’ friendship is portrayed). Not to mention, Gryffindors are portrayed as being virtuous because they’re bold, charismatic, and hang together in packs, rather than because of any virtues that a more introverted person might have (Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, the most introverted houses, are treated as little more than window dressing).

On the other hand, it seems like many supposedly sympathetic characters also have traits in common with negative introvert stereotypes. For example, Hermione is a neurotic bookish know-it-all whom nobody likes, Harry treats his friends as people he can use and summarily ignores or pushes away anyone he fails to accept as equally special, and Ron argues and fights with his family constantly and wishes to be better than all of them. And then, of course, there’s Dumbledore, who thinks himself too good to fraternize with anyone other than Harry and the like, it seems. Meanwhile, Voldemort had many acquaintances over the years, but never cared for them, and we're supposed to think of this as ultimate moral degeneracy.

So what are your thoughts on this? Anyone care to comment?

Incidentally, I'm not trying to offend anyone here. I'm an introverted person myself, which is why I got interested in the book in the first place.

Comments

[the-bitter-word.livejournal.com]

I think it's a truism that in order to be a writer, you have to be somewhat introverted, to be able to sit with only yourself for company for hours, listening to your inner thoughts and following your inner direction. Extroverts need an audience for validation. This is probably why some actors and politicians hire ghost writers: they can perform for an audience while dictating, rather than isolating themselves to write (not that all actors or politicians are extroverts).

I agree with condwiramurs about the alignment of the houses. I also don't think Hermione is much as much of an introvert as Harry, who with rare exception can't really seem to get out of his own head enough to understand others or try to see the world from their perspective, and who with rare exception doesn't seem to like being around others or receiving a lot of input from them. He seems fine on his own, more so, I'd wager, than Hermione or Ron would be. He theoretically makes a good leader in Quidditch and in Dumbledore's Army, but giving instruction isn't the same as socializing.

I'd be interested to know why you think Severus was an introvert. I'm aware that it is a popular opinion.

I think Rowling had contempt for some characters and love for others, and this had little to do with their introversion or extroversion. We see giggly gangs of girls, for example, whose names I can't remember if they were given, who are probably extroverts, as well as Fudge and Lockhart, again probably extroverts, and she seemed to have a lot of contempt for all of them. If many of her characters come off as introverts, it's probably because that is the head space she is most comfortable occupying and she just doesn't "get" what it is to be extroverted.

[darth-eldritch.livejournal.com]

Harry, who with rare exception can't really seem to get out of his own head enough to understand others or try to see the world from their perspective

Inability to see the perspective of others is not a sign of introversion, as some can be highly empathetic.

[the-bitter-word.livejournal.com]

True, and many extroverts are not empathetic. Empathy is probably a different dynamic.

[sweettalkeress.livejournal.com]

RE: Snape, I guess it's because we see him by himself in flashbacks a lot, he never seems to be socializing much on screen, and because he's shown to be interested in pursuits which I would think of as solitary, such as coming up with new ways to make potions (which, note, he probably wasn't extroverted enough to promote, thus explaining why they never became common knowledge). And don't Harry and Sirius laugh at Snape because as a teenager he had no friends (which is not in and of itself a sign of introversion, but considering he was abused, it probably would not help him to be introverted and withdraw)?

Granted, it's possible that we've just never seen him be extroverted, and that actually he spends all his evenings playing Parcheesi with the Slytherin kids, but I sort-of don't think that was Rowling's intention.

[condwiramurs.livejournal.com]

Yes. Also, going with the batteries analogy (which always seemed to me to be the most useful way to describe introversion/extroversion, personally), I'd say Severus clearly recharges his batteries by doing things by himself. Dealing with people drains him. Of course he wants and needs a certain amount of social contact and, more basically, love, like anyone, but actually interacting with people takes energy from him rather than giving him energy.

[nx74defiant.livejournal.com]

introvert stereotypes. For example, Hermione is a neurotic bookish know-it-all whom nobody likes

Because of that Hermione is usually labeled an introvert. But I don't think she is.

Look at when we first meet her:

She takes it upon herself to go from car to car talking to people, most of whom she knows will be older and more experienced than her, in a search for Neville's toad.

It probably took all of Nevile's courage to ask Hermione if she had seen his toad. Notice Nevil didn't go with her.