Finding one's views in the author's mind was Christianity and HP

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 112672

Amy Z.:
> It is very interesting to me how badly I want JKR's views to 
reflect 
> my own.  Sometimes they just clearly don't.  (For example, a 
couple 
> of the chapter titles in Umbridge's DADA text annoyed my would-be-
> pacifist soul deeply.)  Usually I don't mind, but sometimes it 
> bothers me . . . silly, I know, but if I'm honest I want JKR and 
her 
> wonderful creations to be On My Side.  
> 
> So if I may lift this conversation to a meta-level, do we read the 
> books to be affirmed in our views, challenged in them, a mix, or 
> neither?


Jen: I actually find this list challenges my views more than the 
books do! Since I read all five books and had my own interpretation 
of characters and events before joining the group, the sheer volume 
of differing opinion was daunting. My strong desire to understand 
OOTP within the context of the series is what kept me reading and 
posting, even though certain theories were hard to read and consider 
as a possible outcome. So, in a way, I gravitate toward like-minded 
posters to feel assurance that JKR is On My Side as Amy pointed out, 
but I also read and ponder theories that make me uncomfortable. Sort 
of preparing myself for the worst, I guess. As for the books 
themselves, well, I'm open to a few surprises, but in the end want 
to "be affirmed in my views."

Jen Reese