Letters to the Editor
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Not "an announcement"
There's a reason that Rowling made this announcement.
Except she didn't announce anything. Someone in the crowd asked her about Dumbledore's lovelife, and she answered the question.
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Sunspot is correct, of course.
Sunspot: Except she didn't announce anything. Someone in the crowd asked her about Dumbledore's lovelife, and she answered the question.
Agreed. I just figured I'd yammered enough; I should have been clearer.
On the other hand, I'd watched Olbermann's piece on this Monday night, and he'd included a quote from Rowling, backstage at Carnegie, that the books were "a plea for an end to hatred, to bigotry." Although that was presented in the context of the "don't always trust authority" subtext of her books, I viewed her revelation about Dumbledore as part of that plea for an end to hatred and bigotry. So, no, it wasn't a planned "announcement," but I imagine Rowling is glad the news is out there.
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@RachaelAnne, about Neil Gaiman's reaction
As someone with a novel in the drawer, one on the hard drive, and innumerable fiction classes in my past, Neil Gaiman is spot on.
There are many, many things I know about my fictional characters that will never see the light of a story. As the author, I must know these things, so I can see the world through their eyes, feel their reactions, hear their voices. I have to know their histories, what like to eat for breakfast, who they loved in high school, what their most embarrassing moment was.
A tiny scant part of this ever makes it to the page. Most of it is entirely irrelevant to the story at hand. I remember one writing instructor saying that every scene has to connect to the "spine" of the story. It has to advance the story and be relevant. If it's a case of "this cool thing happened to my character once," then take it out. It might belong in some other story, but not this one.
With that in mind, I think the question of Dumbledore's sexuality is consistent with his character, but irrelevant to the HP story. J.K. Rowling did it right by leaving it out of the main story. The "spine" of HP, in the end, was Harry overcoming Voldemort. All the rest were sub-plots. Good ones, rich ones, satisfying ones, but they were sub-plots. Harry vs. Draco Malfoy, the question of Snape, Harry connecting with Ginny, Ron connecting with Hermione. All sub-plots.
And Rowling isn't announcing Dumbledore's sexuality, she answered a question in an interview. She didn't buy billboards or take out an ad in the Sunday Times. She answered a question asked by a fan.
If I'm ever so lucky to get one of my novels published, I'll have the same voluminous character histories. Some of my character histories are written down, some are in my head, but in order to make characters into real people, the author must know everything about them down to their toenails. That includes something as fundamental as sexuality, even if the character is celibate during the time span of the story (which Dumbledore was).
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Hmm, Caesar Salad....
Where is this Caesar Salad?
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DUMBLEDORE IS A FICTIONAL CHARACTER
We have MUCH more important things to discuss, like how Paris Hilton's old sex-tape partner is engaged to Pamela Anderson?!? These are REAL people and therefore MUCH more necessary to American dialog!
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BD said it
...very well, I thought.
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Please don't tease us or thwart our memory!
The books undoubtedly touched many, but the thoughts we are left with should indeed be our own. That is the fun of drawing conclusions and dicussing them among other fans. These further bits of information simply dim the afterglow of an era gone by. If indeed it is. In one's own mind, the story can go on. Piecemeal revelations take away some of that imagination. By all means, keep writing if that will keep things at bay. Nothing would make us happier!
As a gay person, I couldn't care less if Dumbledore was gay despite what many would speculate as an opportunity for validation. To me, these "obvious hints" as to his sexuality did not occur to me any more than the possibility of McGonagall being a lesbian. I don't need this info to help tell a story any better, especially after the story is over, thank you very much.
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Hilarious
Rowling seems to have had to explain a lot about Harry Potter to the Yanks. Lee Jordan had to be clarified as black-British for example. Same with various other ethnicities that were just taken for granted by the British (or indeed non-European) readers.
Frankly, even a half term worth of experience would reveal Dumbledore's "gayness." Many of us were taught by brilliant teachers who were very similar in character (if not endowed with the same sort of magic) to Dumbledore. The whole point about his sexuality is that it DOESN'T matter except that it may have obscured his judgement at some point in his youth. Its an important lesson - along with various others.
Btw, its funny how Rowling makes her more "scandalous" announcements out state side. I think she just likes winding up you Yanks. And you rise to the bait every time...
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But R.T., Rowling's not an American so the edge you posit doesn't apply.
Look, I haven't read but 1/10 of a Potter novel, and only that in an attempt to teach myself Spanish. Nonetheless, I'm drawn to this series. It has a vibe both positive and encompassing that from what I can tell uses youth to deliver fantasy. From there you break into the core of things with innocence, energy. Children the world over are drawn to Potter for that reason, I think, and I'm hoping like hell they use Rowling's work as a way to see the world.
Heaven knows we've got to get the planet people that comprehend perspectives that bind for the better.
If Rowling has struck such a chord let her follow it to its end. Let her preach, even. Definitely let her work with the relationships she's established.
She's not an author anymore. She's a literary figure. A real life conjurer whose main work may just be beginning. An either/or framework shouldn't even be a concern since that's the case. I hope when she's seen walking down streets letters of the alphabet are seen falling out of her purse. I hope we find out she's got greater than average skills with a Ouija board. I hope those things almost as much as having it turn out that children familiar with her work breath a language of spiritual dynamics as adults that respect life's challenges.
I believe Rowling will end up bringing a richer set of experiences yet if that's the case.
But this was a great story, though. Even though I disagree with its premise I was glad its topic made these pages, for sure.
Thanks!