J.K. Rowling, Authorial Intent and Endings

 

The better cover

I started to analyze movies as my knowledge of narrative(s) increased. My chosen degree is English which causes me to fluctuate between pride and unemployable regret. Even before a writer understands the grammar/mechanics of language, basic functions of narratives and their structure must be understood. I took my love of narratology to the medium of film. Today we travel back to books.

The subject of my displeasure is J.K Rowling. I grew up with Harry Potter and the series sparked my interest in reading. While extreme fans put me off, Rowling’s books hold a special place in my heart. Some writers/readers view authorial intent as the king. If the author says something is a certain way, then the debate no longer exists. As a writer that statement disturbs me because books are a complicated medium. Before a book is published, the piece of writing is owned solely by the author. It is private, allowing only a few to glimpse it. This scenario makes “authorial intent is king” true. When a book is published authorial intent disintegrates. All other mediums considered, books invoke a unique relationship. One person composes a book, weaving words and sentences together so other people can read them. My greatest joy showing my writing to others. Hearing their input and opinions give me inspiration for further stories. No doubt famous writers feel the same way.

Rowling changed the world of fiction and forged relationships with millions of people through words on a page. That’s astonishing. However, by publishing Harry Potter, Rowling relinquished complete control over her story. At that moment the fans had equal amount of hermetical authority over the series. Rowling’s authorial intention ceased to be, yet, she refuses to let go. I might devote another post to my specific problems with the books, but that is pending. In the last seven years Rowling has made comments (Link) about characters or revealed extra information that don’t exist in writing. Fans have been angry because she is changing the story or regretting certain narrative decisions. Personally, I’m not enough of a fan to be angered. Rowling’s comments leave a bad taste in my mouth. 

1) Dumbledore is gay.

This “revelation” doesn’t infuriate me. One can summon textual evidence supporting the Headmaster’s homosexuality. His life style, lack of a wife and other aspects of his character lend themselves to this interpretation. The black mark is Rowling confirmed it, thus a textual counter-argument is no longer canon.2) Harry and Hermione should have marred each other.
Rowling has received massive fallout from fans for this “revelation” and rightly so. I actually agree that Hermione and Harry make a better couple than Ron and Hermione. Given the three and their differing personalities, Harry could be a better match. Fans who like the Ron/Hermione dynamic were hurt the most. However, none of this matters because it didn’t happen. Rowling’s justification: “It was a choice I made for very personal reasons, not for reasons of credibility. Am I breaking people's hearts by saying this? I hope not.” What nonsense, she is an author; all of her decisions are personal. She was god and master of the Harry Potter universe. Anything she conjured could have ended up on the page, only now is she reconsidering Ron and Hermione’s relationship? The saddest part is she wrote a convincing relationship. Yes, the two probably had some rough times, but everyone does. I feel like Rowling is wishing she had a time machine. 3) Rowling reveals more about the trio post-epilogue.

The writer in me wanted to punch J.K.’s face when I read that article. I am still livid about this. She doesn’t want to let go. The epilogue was disappointing for most people, myself included. It was vague and unfinished. Part of the problem originates from obsessive fans. They want to know more, but the text gives no reprieve. The alternative is badgering the author enough to get more. I believe good stories know when to end. Rowling is blackening her own books by continuing to add details without writing anymore. Why didn’t she make the epilogue a few chapters long. We could see Harry, Ron and Hermione in their adults lives, kids running around and glimpses into other characters in their adult lives. I wanted that in the book, not from the mouth of the author. Despite me love for her books, my level of respect for Rowling plummeted.

There are rumors that Rowling will write another series in the wizarding world. I am elated, but concern hounds me. My fear: Rowling tries to rewrite history established in her first series. What a nightmare to think about. Sadly, I have overestimated her as an author. Writers must relinquish control of their work once the readers hold it. When we read and see the world of another person’s imagination, the real magic occurs then and a sacred bond manisfests. Rowling reversed the author-reader relationship as if stealing her story back to the type writer used to forge Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. To some of my readers that’s ok, for me this boarders on unforgivable.