Thank you! I am starting to think, as a result of discussions like this one, that the reason I cannot simply let go of these books - the reason I am so disturbed by them - is that the mixed and negative messages in them are so darn appalling. And what you say about Harry - brrr!
It would be a huge relief to me if I could think (as I postulate in the brief essay below this one) that Rowling intended us to be critical of Harry, and of the wizarding world generally. Unfortunately, I cannot be sure of this at all. And absolutely everything she's said in interviews goes against such a reading. That leaves us with a text that actually seems to encourage fascism, racism, blind obedience and the cult of personality while paying lip-service to love, freedom and responsibility. It's all quite chilling, really.
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Re: Thanks
Date: 2009-08-10 02:35 am (UTC)It would be a huge relief to me if I could think (as I postulate in the brief essay below this one) that Rowling intended us to be critical of Harry, and of the wizarding world generally. Unfortunately, I cannot be sure of this at all. And absolutely everything she's said in interviews goes against such a reading. That leaves us with a text that actually seems to encourage fascism, racism, blind obedience and the cult of personality while paying lip-service to love, freedom and responsibility. It's all quite chilling, really.