Using Fanfic in support of canon arguments

[Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 16313

Hi --

Magda Grantwich wrote:

> Several times I have read that a particular character is
> such-and-such because this and this and then this happened as
> detailed in someone's fanfiction and thus this is what that section
> of PS/CoS/PoA/GoF refers to or means.  Just where does fanfiction sit
> in terms of discussion of the books?

I don't think anyone is saying "well, such & such happened in fanfic;
therefore, the canon absolutely means such & such."  I think what you're
thinking about is that some people do use fanfic to view canon
situations in a different light.  Draco is a perfect example of this.
There are several "alternative, redeemable" Draco fanfics that are very
popular.  I didn't see much to like in Draco prior to reading those
fics.  Now, I can go back to the *CANON* and look at it differently.  I
can think to myself, "Yeah, I agree with Cassie & Heidi; Draco *could*
be redeemed."  OR, I could say, "Well, those fics are well-done, but I
still don't see the canon evidence all that clearly."

Heidi pointed out to me that she'd found a message from me in the
Archives from way back when in which I clearly said, "Draco/Hermione is
about the *last* pairing likely to happen and here's why."  Now, it's
way preferable to me than Ron/Herm.  Not only is it preferable, but I
can see where it's plausible.  Those authors took their interpretations
of the canon & convinced me to look at it in a different way.  However,
I still must ultimately make the call whether they've ultimately
convinced me of canon evidence for a particular interpretation of a
character or foreshadowing of a certain event.  Fanfic just gives you
the ability to look at a character or sequence of events through the
eyes of another person, and as Carole said, the fictional medium of
fanfic can be more entertaining & expansive than a posting to this
group.  Some fanfics don't persuade me of anything in particular.  When
I read others though, I find myself thinking, "Wow!  That's a really
intriguing take on XXXX; I need to go back & read the books again with
that in mind."

Amanda said:

> I have a lot of fun speculating on the
> canon, and I want my "take" on the flavor and "feel" and well, character
> of the characters to be strictly based on JKR, at least during the
> production of the seven books.
>
I'd like to think I'm still using JKR as the ultimate interpretation,
but fanfic can open you up to other possibilities of where JKR herself
*might* be going with a character or sequence of events -- possibilities
you might not have dreamt up on your own.  <g>

Penny


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