Sexuality in HP:The "Mirror of Erised" thread

[jkusalavagemd]

No: HPFGUIDX 40216

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "rosie" <crana at n...> wrote:
Isn't one of the "points" being made here that love can come in many 
different forms, e.g. romantic love, sibling love, friend love?
> 
> "rosie"

I have been following these multiple interweaving threads about 
sexuality in HP for the past week, and, by and large I have found the 
arguments to be respectful, referencing textual evidence for the most 
part, and not inflammatory.  I hope to continue in this vein.

I tend to agree with the member (Sorry, I lost your post and there 
are too many posts for me to find it again) who posted that there 
seem to be those who want to find homo-eroticism in HP in order to 
proclaim it, and there are those who want to do the same thing in 
order to attack it.  I personally have observed a lot of self-
fulfilling textual criticism in these arguments, hence my 
characterization of this thread as "The Mirror of Erised" thread:  
what you want is what you get.  For example, long slender fingers 
have been cited as textual evidence of homo-eroticism in HP.  Long 
slender fingers evoke aristocracy, dexterity, sensitivity-- but 
unless you think all concert pianists are gay, this physical 
attribute doesn't prove any connection with sexuality, straight or 
gay.

Another item that has been made much of is the wand.  While I agree 
that the wand symbol is in itself phallic, JKR's use of this prop is 
not in itself phallic in intent.  Wands have already been long 
associated with spells and magic, and the phallic baggage can be just 
that:  unwanted and unintended.  To quote another perceptive poster 
(and Freud), "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."-- and "penetrate" 
is not always used in a sexual context.

Lastly, I would like to address the relations between and within the 
sexes.  At least through the middle of GoF, the students in Harry's 
year appear to be in somewhat of a latent phase of development.  A 
boy's best and most intimate friend is another boy, and there is 
absolutely nothing sexual about it.  A boy can have a crush on a 
girl, without any intention of procreative or recreational sexual 
activity.  It is entirely possible that these kids have not had their 
talk about "the birds and the bees" as yet.  Who indeed would have 
told Harry?  Not Uncle Vernon!  JKR has shown no reticence in 
speaking of romantic matters when she so desires.  She has Snape 
patrolling the grounds at the Yule Ball to prevent excesses of 
passion.  She has shown the stirrings of sexuality in Harry, Hermione 
and Vikto Krum.  She even has shown it in Ron, although more by his 
excessive anger at Hermione than explicitly.  

I, for one, would like to reserve judgment and see how JKR handles 
relations between/within the sexes in future books, when Harry Ron, 
Hermione et al pass through puberty.  She has said that she will 
address this in her interviews.  If she has Remus making a pass at 
Sirus, or Ginny at Hermione, I would say that those contending that 
HP is rife with homo-eroticism had made their point.  Absent that, 
continue to look into the Mirror of Erised, boys and girls,  I 
guarantee that, though you may be completely wrong, you won't be 
disappointed.

Haggridd