[HPforGrownups] What is Canon?

[Katy Cartee]

No: HPFGUIDX 55463

K wrote:

> I know that views on authors' comments vary 
> between fandoms so I don't know how widely 
> held my opinion is in this particular fandom. 

I can't speak for the others, but for me, i partially agree with your assessment. But i believe that the author's interviews/comments ARE canon UNLESS they are contradicted by the books. For instance, she's already said that Harry and Hermione are "platonic" friends. But if, in the future books, that does not hold true, i will obviously believe the books over what she said several years ago. Or if she says "Harry will die" and then he doesn't...well it's obvious which of the two options would be "canon." I believe that there are different "levels" of canon and most won't be explored until the series is finished. For example:

Level #1 - The Books
Level #2 - What that author says
Level #3 - The Movies
Level #4 - Comic books, cartoons and god knows what else they'll end up coming out with in the future ;)

So if, after the series is finished, the cartoon says that Dumbledore has a grandaughter named Lemondrop, and it does not contradict or "mess with" any plots from the book series, then i would say that Lemondrop's existance is "canon" at that point. Does that make sense?

I've had to think about this a lot in the Rainbow Brite fandom that i am hugely involved in. Here is the "canonical order" we've established:

Level #1 - The Cartoon
Level #2 - The Books
Level #3 - The Comic Books/Doll Inserts/Playing Cards
Level #4 - The German radio plays
Level #5 - What the original voice actors say in interviews

That's my opinion anyways :)

And everytime i see your name Kathryn, it freaks me out! Your name is Kathryn Cawte and my full name is Kathryn Cartee...spooky! ;)

~Katy~

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