What JKR's up to (was: Bad news ... for Slytherins- The Good Slytherin)

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 98595

Carolyn wrote: 
> Finally, prompted by thoughts of Voldemort's agenda, a general 
> point on what we may, or may not have learnt from the new JKR 
> website. Personally, although I joined in the fun filling my 
> scrapbook, on reflection I think that the site is part of a very 
> sophisticated PR strategy to manage and control expectations about 
> the last two books. The expectations are now so great that it is 
> almost inevitable that people may be disappointed by what 
> eventually happens. By leaking bits and pieces, and judiciously 
> despatching a juicy theory or two by controlled denials, the number 
> of options as to what might happen in the end become inevitably 
> more limited over the next couple of years. Whilst I don't think 
> for a moment she will give away the central kernel of the plot, by 
> adopting this strategy she can nevertheless create a climate which 
> guides the reader to seeing that the series is really about XXX. It 
> will be interesting to see if the ploy has any effect on the fans!
> 

Siriusly Snapey Susan:
I know that this was not the main point of Carolyn's post, but I 
wanted to pull it out & highlight it, to be sure it didn't get lost 
in the discussion of Theodore Nott.

I think Carolyn is *definitely* onto something with this assessment 
of one of the purposes of JKR's website overhaul.  Did she do it to 
bring some fun to the fans?  I believe so, yes.  Did she also do it 
so that she could "gently" debunk some ideas and shoot down a few 
theories?  I believe she is doing this, too, yes.  

Carolyn wrote, "Whilst I don't think for a moment she will give away 
the central kernel of the plot, by adopting this strategy she can 
nevertheless create a climate which guides the reader to seeing that 
the series is really about XXX."  And I would add to the end of that 
sentence, "..and NOT about YYY."  Yes, I think this might be a way of 
trying to keep people from being too disappointed later [or maybe 
helping them decide to give up now if they're too attached to their 
pet theories??], by showing them some things that definitely aren't 
going to happen.

I think this will tick some people off.  I've already heard concern 
[and maybe a stronger word should be used] being expressed that JKR 
is TELLING people how to react or feel about characters and 
situations.  

I don't quite agree.  I think she's *cautioning* us about the series 
which, after all, is HER series and which is still a work in 
progress.  She alone knows how it will end.  Clearly she knows that 
thousands & thousands of people are investing tremendous time & 
energy into trying to figure out the ending and into analyzing her 
characters & their world.  That has to be flattering, but it might 
also be a little disconcerting if she sees large groups of people 
becoming attached to things which she knows won't happen.  Is it so 
bad to let us down gently along the way?

Siriusly Snapey Susan, who's a little worried about opening a can of 
worms with this, but....