JKR's Opinion

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 179910

> > >>a_svirn:
> > <snip>
> > And hasn't the history of literary criticism proved that 
poor      
> > authors can be at the mercy of critics' (or more broadly 
readers') 
> > subconscious? 
> 
> Betsy Hp:
> Hmm, not that I've seen, really.  Could you provide some examples?  
> (I'm asking this honestly and without malice.  I'm not sure I 
> understand what you're saying here, so an example or two would be 
> helpful.)

a_svirn:
Oh, just think about all those changes of scholarly fashion: Marxist 
criticism, feminist criticism, deconstructivism, Freudian criticism 
etc. If you read proponents of these schools you learn as much (and 
very likely more) about their own views and beliefs than about 
authors they analyze. And when I read something like, say, "Bestial 
Buggery in A Midsummer Night's Dream" I feel sure that I get a 
glimpse into the critic's own subconscious rather than that of 
Shakespeare's. (Or *unconscious* as someone-or-other would say, no 
doubt a wise person). 

> Betsy Hp:
> Because I don't have as much invested as the author.  Not if the 
> author is any good anyway.  So I feel I can detach from the text in 
a 
> way the author should not be able to.  

a_svirn:
Funny you should say that. When many members of this very list have 
spent literally *years* discussing the HP books, sometimes at the 
rate of five posts a day. I call a pretty heavy investment. 

> Betsy Hp:
(Though a good author will try 
> and detach I think before doing a rewrite.  Give themselves the 
space 
> to take a clear-eyed view of what they've written to make sure 
> there's conscious order to their creation.)  As a reader, I don't 
> need to become that attached in the first place. <snip> 

a_svirn:
You don't *need* to, but here we all are – discussing Rowling's works 
and intents. For years on end. 


> a_svirn:
> > I haven't seen the film, but judging by what you've said, it was 
a 
> > failure (at least in your view, sorry if I misunderstood what 
you   
> > are saying).
> 
> Betsy Hp:
> On the contrary, I enjoyed the film. <g>

a_svirn:
Oops! Beg pardon. 


a_svirn