Critical Magic Theory – EP 73: Prof Responds – Fleur Delacour

Host: Professor Julian Womble
Date: February 11, 2026

Episode Overview

In this Prof Responds installment, Professor Julian Womble dives deeply into the character of Fleur Delacour from the Harry Potter universe, using listener feedback to interrogate both the internalized and systemic biases that color our understanding of this often-misunderstood character. Womble guides listeners through thoughtful, nuanced reflections on internalized misogyny, the workings of pretty privilege, the nature of female rivalry, and Fleur’s actual heroism. The episode is rich in both self-aware humor and incisive social critique, encouraging fans to be lovingly critical of the texts—and themselves.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Interrogating Internalized Biases Against Fleur

(01:35 – 16:51)

• Listener Reflections: Womble shares listener confessions about having negative opinions of Fleur for no substantive reasons, highlighting comments from Olivia, Rachel, and Fenty describing how media and the writing of J.K. Rowling ("JKR") influenced their perceptions.

• Media Impact: Womble argues that "it's written so that we do" internalize biases against Fleur, explaining that JKR imbued the series with many of her own prejudices. He urges listeners to recognize how privilege, especially "pretty privilege," is distributed—and resented—based on how society rewards certain traits over others.

• Empathy for Hermione: Prof. Womble examines why so many readers identify with Hermione and how our own feelings of not fitting in can amplify negative perceptions of someone like Fleur.

• Humor & Honesty: "It felt nice to watch her not succeed, because it's like they always get everything, and... that's why that skirt caught on fire, right? Like we were children. Pettiness is part of childhood. It's still part of my life and my lived experience." (13:23)

2. The Mechanics & Misunderstandings of Pretty Privilege

(17:23 – 31:57)

• Privilege is Bestowed, Not Earned: Womble clarifies, "You can't be privileged unless you're privileged. The privileging is something that is given," emphasizing that recipients often aren't even aware of it (18:40).

• Blaming the Wrong People: He notes the tendency to blame women for the privilege bestowed upon them, repeating how the series—through characters like Ginny, Molly, and Hermione—invites us to lay blame on Fleur rather than on the men who grant and enforce those privileges.

• Broader Implications: Womble ties this dynamic to social phenomena—like school dress codes—showing how institutional structures force the unprivileged to police themselves instead of holding the powerful accountable.

• Notable Quote: "The biggest tool of the patriarchy tends to be women who have bought into it. Because now it doesn't seem like it's rooted in sexism. It seems like it's rooted in the protection of women. Sound familiar?" (24:52)

• Comparative Privilege: He draws contrasts between how privilege works for other characters, pointing out that white privilege and other forms of societal advantage are deliberately rendered invisible, both in the text and in real life.

3. Female Rivalry: Projection, Insecurity, and Patriarchal Structures

(32:36 – 45:29)

• Listener Observations: Contributors like Jaquea and Sari highlight how Hermione and Ginny's criticism of Fleur often serves as a projection of their own insecurities—a microcosm of how women are often set up to compete under patriarchy.

• Hypocritical Critique: Womble points out the hypocrisy in criticizing Fleur for behaviors (e.g., missing home or complaining about castle conditions) that are perfectly accepted in the main trio.

• Constructed Rivalries: He argues these rivalries are "one-sided," with Fleur largely unaware, and that the system incentivizes women to reinforce patriarchal standards while allowing men to evade responsibility.

• Notable/Funny Moment: "Maybe he's born with it. Maybe he's Diggory... that's brilliant." (42:28)

• Clever Insight: "The gag is, is that Fleur doesn't even recognize it's happening. She's just flitting around the house, living her best life in Half-Blood Prince. She's not even paying any attention to these girls because she is like, whatever." (42:07)

4. Recognizing Fleur’s Loyalty, Bravery, and True Heroism

(46:03 – 54:22)

• Listener Praise: Eric, Denish, and Will contribute praise for Fleur’s actions: fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts, providing refuge at Shell Cottage, and quietly demonstrating resilient bravery.

• Beyond the Surface: Womble emphasizes that Fleur was always a hero, even if the narrative (and readers) were slow to recognize it. He notes her sacrifices—having her wedding in the UK, risking her life, tending to Harry’s allies—as vital, selfless contributions.

• Comparison to Neville: "I think Fleur is outrageously brave and outrageously generous. And I don't think those are new things. I just think that we were invited to not see it." (47:15)

• Challenges Stereotypes: Womble challenges the assumption that a beautiful woman cannot also be capable, generous, and heroic, pushing listeners to ask why Fleur had to "prove herself" in ways others did not.

• Final Reflection: “I think we have to give her her flowers and not just because her name is Fleur, but because she deserves them.” (54:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Critical Re-examination:
  "Loving something doesn't mean you can't be critical of it. And that includes yourself." (16:48)

• On Privilege:
  "You can't be spoiled unless someone spoils you. ... In that same way, you can't be privileged unless you're privileged." (18:40, paraphrased)

• On Systemic Blame:
  "The strictures placed on it are not for the privileged people. ... So when we think about the idea of pretty privilege, it's really, really important to not only think about the recipients ... but the institutions, the structures, the people, the powerful, the powers that be that are bestowing that privilege. Because it's them. They're the problem." (22:36)

• On Rivalries:
  "The rivalry that Ginny and Hermione are in has nothing to do really with anything that Fleur is and everything that she represents, and all the things they feel they don't have, or all the things that they don't have that they feel she does have." (42:13)

• On Fleur’s Heroism:
  "What bar does she need to clear? She did more for the war than a lot of people who just fought in the battle. ... We have to give her her flowers, and not just because her name is Fleur, but because she deserves them." (53:45 & 54:10)

Structure & Timestamps

• (01:35) — Episode welcome, framing the Prof Responds approach
• (03:30–16:51) — Theme 1: Internalized biases and initial impressions of Fleur
• (17:23–31:57) — Theme 2: Pretty privilege, societal structures, and misplaced blame
• (32:36–45:29) — Theme 3: Female rivalry, hypocrisy, and the illusion of competition
• (46:03–54:22) — Theme 4: Fleur’s overlooked bravery and heroism, listener affirmations
• (54:22–55:03) — Closing remarks (no additional reflection, as reflection is woven throughout)

Tone and Style

Womble’s style is humorous, confessional, and scholarly, mixing personal anecdote, sharp cultural critique, and lively engagement with his audience. He references both academic concepts and pop culture ("fairy smut or hockey smut"), keeping the conversation approachable yet thought-provoking.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is an essential listen for any Harry Potter fan interested in examining the biases embedded within the series and within themselves. Professor Womble, through listener feedback and his own incisive commentary, challenges us to move beyond first impressions and ask difficult questions about how power, privilege, and patriarchy shape our views of characters like Fleur Delacour. In the process, he makes a strong, well-supported case for giving Fleur her due as both a hero and a fully-realized character—while inviting all listeners to apply this same critical lens to the stories, and the world, around them.