JKR=MAC (Was: Slytherins come back WAS: Re: My Most Annoying Character)

[witherwings999]

No: HPFGUIDX 180167

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Lee Kaiwen <leekaiwen at ...> wrote:
Posted by: "Lee Kaiwen"  leekaiwen at yahoo.com      leekaiwen 

Lee Kaiwen:
 "My version" could encompass anything, including thoughts 
 she's never spoken aloud. And that is problematic, to say the least, on 
 so many levels. She's attempting a level of control over her works -- 
 and even her readers' experiences of her works -- that is both 
 unprecedented and impossible. It's sheer hubris.

Witherwing: 
Unprecedented? Does anyone know of another comparable case of an author/artist 
making overtures/interviews, trying to keep their work *theirs*? I am familiar with the old 
problem of the artist's intent versus the interpretation of the viewer/critic... Back in my 
Film Studies days, I was first exposed to this dilemma reading the Francois Truffaut 
interview with Alfred Hitchcock. Truffaut, clearly a devoted fan, asks Hitchcock about the 
moment when a character walks out of the frame, and then walks back in, moments later. 
This had waxed poetic for Truffaut. The director explains that this was done for practical 
reasons, not artistic - something about the actor or set necessitating the break... Does 
that mean the critic is a fool for singling out that moment for its artistry?

The dilemma for the audience/reader/viewer is clear. We CANNOT know the intention. 
Even if the artist is there to tell us their intention, can it be believed? However, as a fan, I 
tend to want to know everything, and ravenously seek out the interviews.  As well as the 
views of fans who spend time with a critical eye on Canon, and so thanks to all of you who 
contribute to this list;o) There are countless posts on this list that have made me exclaim 
aloud, or given me fuel for many ponderings. My experience of the books is inseparable 
from the consensual information I've absorbed from you all! 

I guess I view JKR's post-publication riffs on parr with the views of you all! And I thank 
you!

Lee Kaiwen:
 I've said this before, but the WW of MY experience is not entirely of JKR's creation. We all 
bring our own backgrounds, imaginations and personalities to bear on the interpretation 
of what we read, and no two of us can read the same book and come away with the same 
experience (imagine if we did; there'd be no need for discussion.  <SNIP> I, through my 
imagination and experience, played a creative role as well. And JKR's attempt to read over 
our shoulders, correct every interpretive act we perform that doesn't meet with her 
approval, and dictate the reading experience we must have is patronizing.

Witherwing: 
I don't view JKR's pronouncements as patronizing. For one thing, she (and Warner 
Brothers) have been very generous with the fans in allowing anyone who wants to, to 
rewrite, appropriate, skew and reinvent the characters and the world of HP, for creativity of 
every kind! The fanfic, the knitting patterns, the recipes, the paintings, videos, etc. I guess 
I can forgive an occaisional "It's my world," from JKR. But believe it? 

In the meantime, happy new year to you all, and keep the posts rolling in!

-Witherwing