Joining the posting dots (was Re: Manifesto?)

[mooseming]

  I 
> suspect it's rather not your part of the fandom.
> 
> -Nora notes that it isn't hers either, but it's fascinating to 
observe

It is fascinating isn't it?

When I first came to hpfgu I hadn't even thought about SHIPS, I was 
amazed to discover the intensity and popularity of these debates. 
Nor had I contemplated the issues of `abuse' as discussed on the 
site. Considerations on the `science' of magic hadn't entered my 
head. HP as morality tome and religious guide  - not on the radar. 
Psychoanalytic interpretations of character`s (oh alright Snape`s) 
motivations entertained but didn`t thrill me. My reading came 
predominately from a plotaholic perspective, I wasn't disappointed, 
I found posts which focussed on events and hints that I'd missed or 
written off as inconsequential, I found witty, insightful, 
intelligent readers and as a bonus I found creativity and a 
willingness to play fast and loose with the canon for the sheer joy 
of it!

It seems fitting to me that a series of books, for which one theme 
is inclusiveness, has generated such a disparate yet shared 
obsession. The books and the online community reflect, in a largely 
positive way, the western society in which I live. Inherent are the 
problems of that society specifically how to manage, direct and 
adjudicate for the entire community. In other words conflict is just 
another name for a social gathering. Which brings me on to the 
subject of men. More particularly patriarchy. In the 21st century  
hereditary patriarchy has allegedly been replaced by, or at least we 
aspire to, a democratic meritocracy. We will be led by 
representatives of the brightest and the best, whatever their 
origin, gender, race or creed. Yet in HP this transformation is 
(mostly) still to occur. Harry's orphan status is symbolic of the 
need to identify and choose ones own authority figures. The choices 
he makes will reflect JKR's views on what that might be. 

James (the personification of patriarchy) is Harry's actual father 
but is somewhat compromised by virtue of being dead. Note this 
doesn't apply to Lily. Not to say she isn't dead but she is all 
present (virtually divine)  in a way James isn't. Harry's emotional 
and physical health, surviving Voldy and the Dursleys, his ability 
to form meaningful relationships are all attributed, directly and 
indirectly, to Lily's love. JKR's fantasy, in which she encourages 
us to partake, is that in the one year Lily raised Harry plus her 
subsequent sacrifice she managed to protect, nurture, educate Harry 
sufficiently that he becomes the well balanced 11 year old that 
first attends Hogwarts. Credible, no, but integral to Harry's 
character. James on the other hand doesn't feature at all, the one 
time he appears in Harry's life in POA it turns out not to be him 
but Harry himself. In a way this makes him doubly absent. Further 
along in the story James becomes a negative influence (Snape's worst 
memory) whilst Lily's role expands to balance James' flaws. James 
the father is both deceased and a bit of a git.

However, HP is stuffed to the rafters with alternative father 
figures, what of them? I give you, in no particular order:

Voldy: non starter, evil, homicidal, obsessive, may or may not be 
dead, probably will be soon anyway
Lockhart: non starter, vain, foolish, selfish and now addled
Vernon: non starter, bully, muggle, Dudley's dad
Quirrel: non starter, weak, possessee, probably dead
Arthur: contender but geek and somewhat overburdened with kids 
already
Hagrid: contender, cuddly but dumb and lacking judgement
Sirius: contender, caring, supportive but rebellious, egotistical, 
rash, probably dead
Lupin; contender, understanding, educational, supportive but sick 
and conforming and possibly evil
Snape: contender, educating and physically protective but overly 
critical, not overly affectionate, possibly evil

On one hand we could congratulate JKR on the depth and breadth of 
her male characters, on the other we might think she was having a 
bit of a laugh at the expense of the boys.

I leave until last of course the strongest contender, Dumbledore: 
understanding, educating, supportive, caring, talented, respected, 
powerful, wise. Are we to believe then that Harry's search for a 
father will bring us right back to the beginning. The king is dead, 
long live the king! Does JKR really want us to accept that there is 
nothing wrong with benign dictatorship as long as the right dictator 
rules? At the conclusion will Harry inherit DD's (invisible) mantle 
and lead the world forward ever improving but fundamentally 
unchanged? New labour here we come, Hermione tweaking the laws 
against magical creatures (countryside alliance representative 
Lucius Malfoy threatens revolt), Hogwarts Commission for the 
Regulation of Interhouse Competition publishes a two volume draft of 
directives for discussion.

I gather from the posts of Kneasy and Talisman that at least some 
hope not. For them Harry will reveal 
cynical, machiavellian, puppet master!DD and the world will be 
turned on its head. Harry will abolish all school houses, possibly 
the school itself, and send Fawkes to torch the Ministry of Magic. 
At least I think that's what they want
..

Regards
Jo

(who appears to be reading the posts as a living novel)