Sexuality as a theme in HP (long)

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 119566


 Carolyn wrote:
> Olivier, what a thoughtful post. I hope it generates adult 
discussion.
> 
> I'd just like to add a point that has always struck me every time 
> that I read the books - the sexual imagery of the entrance to the 
> Gryffindor common room. It is necessary for the children to climb 
> through a hole behind the fat lady, into a warm, round womb-like 
> room, decorated in warm reds. It is noticeable how often Neville 
has 
> difficulty with this, but Ron and Harry are cool and confident 
with 
> her - often leading her to complain 'are you going to leave me 
> hanging wide open ?'.
> 
> This aspect was sanitised in the films, as with so much else - 
after 
> all, it would be so much easier for a portrait to simply open like 
a 
> door for them to walk through. However, JKR didn't choose that 
option 
> in the books, consciously or not, I don't know.
> 

Potioncat:
Interesting point...and of course fits with McGonagall having to 
struggle to get into the common room.  So, how does the Slytherin 
common room fit into this theme, or does it?  And do you see any 
connection to Gryffindor and Ravenclaw common rooms being in towers 
and Slytherin and Hufflepuff being below ground?