Subverting the genre?

[Talisman]

--- In the_old_crowd at yahoogroups.com, "pippin_999" <foxmoth at q...> 
wrote:
>
>   
>>Send ups make fun of the genre. IMO, subversion makes fun of the 
>reader--it's a different kettle of newts. Subversion is Shylock's 
>speech, it's Shakespeare making you like the old Kate better, it's 
>Cervantes driving his lance so firmly into the fantasy reader's 
>posterior that no one dared to take the genre seriously again for 
>hundreds of years.

Talisman:
I'll agree with you, to a point. Subversive texts run counter to the 
prevailing ethos, and necessarily on the sly, so that some readers 
will undoubtedly feel the slow burn.  However, there are always 
enlightened readers who welcome the revolutionary ideas of 
subversive texts, such as Shakespeare's feminism, moderation, and 
tolerance.   By the same turn, there are those readers who will 
never "get it" at all.  

I'm quite sure there were/are anti-Semites who enjoyed The Merchant 
of Venice for all of the wrong reasons.  Likewise I've discussed the 
play with some Jewish folks who despise Shakespeare because of 
Shylock's sufferings.  If either of these groups come to understand 
Shakespeare's point, they may well feel that they have been mocked; 
but, really, the playwright is aiming his arrows at benighted 
attitudes. Folks whose heads are in the right place have nothing to 
fear, and everything to enjoy.

Itfs true that in a gsend uph the author counts on sharing the 
laugh with his reader--thatfs the mark of his success.  Because 
subversive literature is trying to slide by the gate-keeper, the 
question of whether the reader is a dupe or a compatriot is 
determined by the perceptiveness and mentality of the individual 
reader.  Surely every author hopes their text will find the safe 
haven of a like mind, no matter how many barbs theyfve set for the 
adversary.

In all such considerations, I agree that Rowling is a subversive 
author.

Kneasy  wrote:
>Now if you can dig up some evidence that DD was once play-thing
>of Morgan-Le-Fay, or that his honed and slightly-oiled torso was at
>one time chained, prostrate and helpless at the feet of old Mrs 
>Black, subject to her slightest whim or vilest desire, then you'll 
>get a round of deserved applause from the membership.


Talisman:
Ah K, up to your usual naughty tricks?  Once again youfve caused me 
to stop caring about what Rowling is up to, at all.   Ifd much 
rather follow the antics of your slightly soiled imagination.  Now 
that's true subversion.