[HPforGrownups] What is Canon?

[Katy Cartee]

No: HPFGUIDX 55482

K wrote:

> Other than the pure pointlessness of the change the thing that really gets
> me is that the Philosopher's Stone is an artifact in history/mythology,
> whereas the sorcerer's stone is something the publishers made up! Alchemists
> throughout the ages searched for the Philosopher's Stone, a mythical
> artifact that would turn base metals to gold and be used to create an elixir
> of life. Nicholas Flamel  was rumoured to have discovered it (and actually
> did in the books) and his grave is apparently empty, prompting the idea that
> he did discover it and is living on somewhere in secret. 

I'm a nasty little English-botching American ;) So i'm curious as to what a "Philosopher" is in Britain? I haven't looked it up in a dictionary, but when i hear the word "Philosopher" i think of someone who reads a lot, is very intelligent and gives lectures on different subjects...like Socrates. And to a young person, they're considered very BORING and uppity. Heck, i'm 23 and it still sounds like a boring occupation to me :P So basically, to a young person (who the first book was originally targeted at), it would certainly have a negative connotation. I'm glad of the change.

Now a Sorcerer on the other hand is an evil, powerful, magical wizard where i come from. I'm not sure why, but the word "Sorcerer" has always had an "evil" connotation to me. So perhaps it wasn't the best choice of words either. Maybe "HP and the Wizard's Stone" would've been more appropriate.

That's my two sickles ;)

~Katy~

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