[HPforGrownups] Re: Will HP become classic?

[Bernadette M. Crumb]

No: HPFGUIDX 38145


----- Original Message -----
From: "Philip Nel" <philnel at ksu.edu>

>>Furthermore, there are several _Potter_ essay collections in
the works -- at least one of those collections will be out this
fall.  (Again, in the interests of honesty, I must admit to
having an essay in one of the collections.)  >>

Would it be inappropriate to ask what the name of the collection
will be or who is putting it out?  As a Communications Student
with a love for literary commentary, I'd love to see what
Academia is saying about the HP books.

<<<One often sees papers and even entire panels on _Potter_ at
conferences.  The "Harry Potter" panel at last year's MLA (Modern
Language Association) conference -- the *big* annual conference
for English and Language profs. in North America -- was packed.
There were people sitting on the floor.  I'd guess that a room
that holds one hundred was hosting about 150 people for that
session.>>>

Would it be possible for you to do a separate report about the
panel and the things that were discussed there?  I'm sure I'm not
the only Potter fan on this group who would find it very
interesting.

<<The role that Professors play in creating literary canons is,
of course, a separate question.  However, I'd be willing to cite
the prominence of Potter in academe as evidence of its eventual
status as "classic."  Why does it appeal to profs?  Because it's
literary (love those allusions!), there are many layers to the
novels, and because it's fun to read.  I could add a longer list,
but I've got to run.  Just my two cents (or knuts, if you
prefer).>>

I, for one, really appreciate reading the discussion that is
springing from your questions that are being posted each week.  I
just regret that I have not been able to participate fully in the
discussions (for I do have my ideas about the various topics!)
due to my own end of semester workload.  Hopefully after finals
are over (I think I understand what panic Hermione must feel when
exam time comes along!) I'll be able to intelligently express my
ideas and opinions on the questions.

Thank you for enriching our discussion of the HP books.  As I
re-read them, I'm looking at them with new eyes--eyes open for
the allusions and layers and hidden things that pounce out at me
that I hadn't noticed were there before.

Bernadette

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art. It has no
survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value
to survival."
-- C.S. Lewis (1898-1963).