Harry Potter Speculation

DIVA1177 · #1 10-23-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christiangirl

O. M. G.

I never thought...never even wondered.

I have to admit I was SHOCKED when I heard this yesterday. Then I thought about it. I have read every book at least twice and it TOTALLY makes sense. My husband was surprised that I was surprised. It's no big deal really. It just helps you to understand him more as a character. There is no reason on the planet to get caught up in him being gay.

As for her doing this as a publicity stunt, I highly doubt it. She has said on SEVERAL occasions that the bio for each character is written out and there are things about each character that helped HER write the books that she would not necessarily tell the public. I wouldn't be surprised if Neville didn't come "out" of the proverbial Greenhouse(LOL).

christiangirl · #2 10-23-2007, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIVA1177

I have to admit I was SHOCKED when I heard this yesterday. Then I thought about it. I have read every book at least twice and it TOTALLY makes sense. My husband was surprised that I was surprised. It's no big deal really. It just helps you to understand him more as a character. There is no reason on the planet to get caught up in him being gay.

Yes and no. There aren't many children's books with a prominent, gay character. HP is controversial enough without that piece, so I wouldn't be surprised if a) the planet explodes or b) this gets squashed out in a week and people just pretend they didn't hear it. The latter is actually more possible, as the series is *sniff* over and done. I don't "mind" exactly...I mean, as this is a children's book, I don't agree. Yes, I know that children interact with people of all orientations on a daily basis and that, if books are to reflect real life, it's not plausible to make every literary character straight. I will admit that those are both totally valid points, but I still think should've just been one of those private jokes in her own head, that's just me. The series is over--what was the point of bringing that up? This doesn't ruin the whole series for me or anything--it could be worse, it's not like he was hitting on Harry in the broom cupboard. I'm still passing my books on to my nephew when he's old enough! I just think (and this is a little selfish) that a lot of people make it really hard to be a Christian who likes Harry Potter--I had to defend myself all the time on that (until I just started telling people where to go stick their wands) so I'm a little resentful with old Jo right now. If I'm going to defend myself against family and friends because I'm in support of you and your work, it'd be nice if you didn't hand them another stone to throw at me.

MysticCat · #3 10-24-2007, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christiangirl

I just think (and this is a little selfish) that a lot of people make it really hard to be a Christian who likes Harry Potter--I had to defend myself all the time on that (until I just started telling people where to go stick their wands) so I'm a little resentful with old Jo right now.

I think it needs to be made clear that not all Christians had or have a problem with Harry Potter. I think that was mainly limited to the particularly evangelical wing. (Okay, the pope got in on the act, too.) There are lots and lots of Christians, me included, whe have long seen the books as having a very Christian foundation to them and who were somewhat astounded that some Christians couldn't see that. I never had to defend myself.

BTW, did you see this article that came out last week on the subject of JKR and Christianity? You also might want to check out this book: Looking for God in Harry Potter, by John Granger.

The Dumbledore thing is interesting, but not earth-shaking to me. Doesn't bother me at all.

SydneyK · #4 10-24-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christiangirl

I still think should've just been one of those private jokes in her own head, that's just me.

I don't think Rowling ever saw that aspect of Dumbledore as a joke.

Quote:

Originally Posted by christiangirl

a lot of people make it really hard to be a Christian who likes Harry Potter

This line of thought has always bothered me. Of course, everyone interprets Christianity (or any religion for that matter) in their own way, but in my opinion, love has always seemed to be the cornerstone of Christianity (New Testament, anyway). And that's the cornerstone of HP. I never once read a passage of HP and thought, "Wow, this really contradicts Christianity." If anything, I found the ultimate message of HP to be remarkably Christian.

Drolefille · #5 10-24-2007, 12:47 PM

I'll never understand how it is unChristian to read a book about or including a gay person and like it. Or even have him be your favorite character.

ETA: How is it a joke? HA HA DUMBLEDORE HAS TEH GHEY!
See? Not funny.

christiangirl · #6 10-24-2007, 06:04 PM

Okay, you all touched on the same point, so there's no point in quoting anybody (well, except you MC--I've already read and enjoyed both of those). I'm glad people understand my rationale for these books. The reason I've been given for HP being bad is because supernatural power either comes from God or Satan and if the books don't say God, then it must be demonic, there's no other choice. I say that's ridiculous. If you don't tell your kids not to watch Snow White, the Little Mermaid, or anything else that has witches, then what's the point? The whole heart of the series is that goodness, innocence, and love will always conquer any other power out there, so if it's wrong to fill my head with thoughts like that, then there's not hope for humanity.

Also, "joke" was the wrong word. I didn't mean a literal haha funny joke, let's call it a "fact" instead. I just think she should have kept that to herself because I don't see the point of having said it. Being "gay" was never brought up in any of the novels and, therefore, didn't contribute to the plot or his development as a character (except in her mind only, but not concretely obvious to anyone else). Why bring it up now that the series is over? It seems to be causing more "upset-ness" than happiness or could possibly the more people think about it.

Drolefille · #7 10-24-2007, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christiangirl

Okay, you all touched on the same point, so there's no point in quoting anybody (well, except you MC--I've already read and enjoyed both of those). I'm glad people understand my rationale for these books. The reason I've been given for HP being bad is because supernatural power either comes from God or Satan and if the books don't say God, then it must be demonic, there's no other choice. I say that's ridiculous. If you don't tell your kids not to watch Snow White, the Little Mermaid, or anything else that has witches, then what's the point? The whole heart of the series is that goodness, innocence, and love will always conquer any other power out there, so if it's wrong to fill my head with thoughts like that, then there's not hope for humanity.

Also, "joke" was the wrong word. I didn't mean a literal haha funny joke, let's call it a "fact" instead. I just think she should have kept that to herself because I don't see the point of having said it. Being "gay" was never brought up in any of the novels and, therefore, didn't contribute to the plot or his development as a character (except in her mind only, but not concretely obvious to anyone else). Why bring it up now that the series is over? It seems to be causing more "upset-ness" than happiness or could possibly the more people think about it.

I understand what you're saying about the "OMG Magic EVIL!" thing. I don't much understand the logic behind it either.

It was explained in the other thread about this, if not also in this one, that the director/writers for the HP6 movie wanted to include a love interest in a flashback scene. She had to say something to stop that from happening, because it wouldn't be true to the character. Also, fans have asked simply because you haven't ever seen him romantically attached to someone, so they want to know if he ever had a girlfriend/wife/lover/etc. So she told them the truth.

Think of it this way: Would it have mattered if she'd said he was straight and had never married, but loved this woman from her past? Is that different?

lauralaylin · #8 10-24-2007, 07:47 PM

Don't forget that there are psycho fans (myself included) who want to know every single little inconsequential detail about everyone and everything in the HP books.

AlethiaSi · #9 10-26-2007, 01:13 PM

I thought this was interesting:

Quote:

Thatcherite Britain, a French philosopher said Friday on the day of the last novel's publication in French.

"It must be said from the start that Harry Potter is deeply political and that the books speak of today's England," Jean-Claude Milner told the left-wing newspaper Liberation.
"Reading it, one can see that J.K. Rowling -- like many cultured English people -- believes there was a real Thatcherite revolution, that it was a disaster, and that culture's only chance is to survive as an occult science."
According to Milner, Harry's world of magic -- and especially the elite public school setting of the Hogwarts school of wizardry -- offer a means of resistance against a triumphant middle-class represented by the non-magic Muggles.

the rest is here

Drolefille · #10 10-26-2007, 03:05 PM

And the winner of the "reading things into Harry Potter that aren't there unrelated to the evils of witchcraft award" is.....

I'm not saying there aren't societal parallels, but that it isn't some sort of "statement" on today's England and what have you.