Coming of Age- Hermione and Ron

Throughout the series, I think Rowling emphasizes a lot with coming of age. I think she demonstrates a sense of coming of age in every character in the book because naturally, everyone is getting older. You can see progress and growth in all of the characters through their years spent at Hogwarts. I think two characters that have demonstrated the most growth and changing throughout the years are Hermione and Ron. Hermione is first portrayed as the one who is always right, works hard to achieve positive remarks and strives to achieve perfection in all of her classes. Throughout the series, Hermione is still achieving those same expectations in her school work, yet she becomes more involved in what her friends are doing. Hermione becomes the “go to girl” when her friends are in trouble, or need help or advice. She develops into a more dynamic character throughout the series. In the first book, she tries to stick with the rules and advises Harry and Ron to follow her advice. However, she sticks up for her friends and takes the blame for the troll in the school, which readers wouldn’t suspect her doing (or Ron and Harry either). As the books progress, she becomes more of a challenge seeker and she wants to be involved in most of the things her friends are doing. While she still keeps her love for school and the wizarding world her first priority, she is interested in helping others like the house elves at Hogwarts and everywhere in the wizarding world. Hermione is also one of the characters in the book to show affection towards the opposite sex. She shows interest in boys like Victor Krum and Ron at a very early point in the series. Rowling uses coming of age to show the development Hermione shows to readers. Naturally, people who are the characters age, are starting to like and develop feelings for classmates, friends, etc. and Hermione is a prime example. Hermione and Ron can demonstrate how friendship and relationships may be crossed and confusing for anyone who isn’t used to dating before.

Ron is another character who demonstrates coming of age throughout the series. Ron is first portrayed as a self conscious character that is overshadowed by the accomplishments of his brothers. Ron tends to be jealous of other peoples accomplishments and gets embarrassed easily when he doesn’t do things correctly. He seems to be more immature and careless compared to the others in the series. He has potential, but cares too much about what others are saying about him, like during Quidditch matches. Ron gets jealous of other peoples accomplishments, such as when he thinks Harry entered himself into the Triwizard Tournament or when Hermione develops feelings for Victor Krum. Throughout the series he then becomes interested in girls and starts dating Lavender Brown, but realizes his real affection for Hermione. Ron becomes more mature and is there when his friends need him the most. I think that in order to captivate readers, Rowling depicted coming of age in such a way that is interesting to readers because they can relate to what is going on.