Jo's OWN Words about Political and Religious Overtones in...

[Donna Staub]

No: HPFGUIDX 174061

As I recall, the rumor of Rowling being a Wiccan was
started by The Onion, a satirical publication (see
Onion.com), much like a Mad Magazine for adults and
contempory issues. Going off of the concern of
conservative religious groups shortly after HP
originally came out, the Onion published an article
with a fictional interview (and fictional quotes) with
Rowling who supposedly stated that she was a witch,
her goal in life was to convert the children of the
world to witch- and warlock-dom.  As with Jonathan
Swift's "A Modest Proposal," the target audience
didn't get the fact that the piece was satire, and
many continued to boycott and use the "interview" as
fact and support for HP boycotts, when it was really
meant to be humorous. As a result, a lot of kids
weren't allowed to read HP because their authority
figures had it on "good word" that Rowling was the
devil in disguise.  I use this as an example when I
teach satire to my senior English classes -- always
check the sources before deeming something as fact.

Donna S.
 


       
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