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OCTOBER 17, 2007 at 6:50 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: HPANA
During her press conference kicking off her "Open Book Tour" in Los Angeles, JK Rowling discussed
the religious themes through all of the Harry Potter books and answers that she could not have put too much into the books because most readers would have guessed the parallels with religion, specifically Christianity, before the release of the last book, Deathly Hallows.
(Please note that both articles linked in this news post contains information on the last book, so if you haven't yet finished reading it please do not do read below.)
JK on religion:
To me [the religious parallels have] always been obvious. But I never wanted to talk too openly about it because I thought it might show people who just wanted the story where we were going.
Rowling also touches on her own feelings with religion by saying:
The truth is that, like Graham Green, my faith is sometimes that my faith will return. It's something I struggle with a lot. On any given moment if you asked me [if] I believe in life after death, I think if you polled me regularly through the week, I think I would come down on the side of yes - that I do believe in life after death. [But] it's something that I wrestle with a lot. It preoccupies me a lot, and I think that's very obvious within the books.
In an additional article from the press conference, Rowling mentions that all of the actors from the movies had some insight into their characters roles in the last book and that Emma Watson was given the most information and how she reacted when told who she would be kissing.
Thanks to MTV for the links.
JK is currently in New Orleans for her second stop on the "Open Book Tour" and will then venture to New York for a visit to Carnegie Hall on Friday.
UPDATE: Thanks to Shannon for letting us know about another report in which Jo talks about certain deaths, Dumbledore and free time:
On the Harry Potter encyclopedia:
It's not coming along and I haven't started it yet. It's really not anywhere at the moment. I always said maybe I'll do the encyclopedia and that's still the case, but I never intended it to be the next thing I did. I want to take a break and step back and then in due course, I may go and do that. I've always said, and I stand by that, if I do that it will be for charity. That would be something. But it would be valuable, charity-wise.
On Dumbledore:
I love Dumbledore more for his frailties but it was important I think to show, and it was part of Harry becoming a man to realize that even this man he revered is alone, had his frailties, had made his mistakes. After all, Dumbledore is, although he seems to be so benign for six books, he's quite a Machiavellian figure really. He's pulling a lot of strings. Harry has been a puppet to an extent but I think, I hope I led the reader to a place in the seventh book where they could actually feel sympathy for Snape rather than Dumbledore. That was the trajectory of that story that I was aiming for.
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Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1514
MollyMomma says:
For a second there that threw me, about Hermione's kissing Neville in one report, the other one said Harry, then I remembered it's in Ron's hallucination from the Horcrux when he's about to smash it, he sees Hermione and Harry kissing. Let's see if that makes it to the big screen. How awkward for Emma!
Posted Oct 18, 2007 at 7:48 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3239
Tenshi says:
Oh wow, parallels between religion and Harry Potter? Well looking back it seems kind of obvious, though to an extent not really.
Machiavellian figure!
I just wish she hadn't written that sort of ending... Much too obvious.
Posted Oct 18, 2007 at 11:14 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2334
SlytherinStarGazer says:
It is clear there are religious undertones in the book, but that isn't for me the main thing I take away from the story. Also, Hope to see that encyclopedia some day...:)
Posted Oct 19, 2007 at 3:19 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2563
School Governor says:
Cool, we want more articles, interviews and reports on the book tour please!
Posted Oct 19, 2007 at 8:33 AM EST
Witch
Points: 980
crazywitch says:
I never notice the religious stuff.
I do feel sorry for Snape having that much love for Lily and then losing her. There was a definate turn around in characters, Snape and Dumbledore.
Looks like we'll be waiting a while for the encyclopedia :(
Posted Oct 19, 2007 at 9:00 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2495
Jbird says:
It's great to actually read more things about the books, not specifically but inderectly I suppose. She's been keeping mum and I'm practically bald with all the waiting. It was a good fix but I have pages of questions so can we get on with the grilling?
Posted Oct 19, 2007 at 9:43 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2946
GPGA says:
That interview was great! I love how much J.K. teases everyone. And I can't wait to see both kisses on the big screen.
Posted Oct 19, 2007 at 11:57 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2209
Scarlett Kent says:
Thanks for sharing JKR's fascinating comments with us. I don't blame her for wanting a break from HP before she starts on the encyclopedia. She deserves a chance to stretch her creative wings and do something else for a change since her writing life has been completely dominated by the series for so many years.
Posted Oct 19, 2007 at 12:52 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2572
Mystique says:
i like the article, and what she said about Emma's reaction. I like how she portrayed Dumbledore, i always knew that he wasn't as perfect as harry percieved, was just waiting for her to reveal the real story behind Dumbledore.
Posted Oct 19, 2007 at 5:20 PM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2874
Chogiiiirl says:
I've always seen the religious undertones of the HP series, and have argued extensively with my friends to support the books. I wonder who is laughing now, like those nuts at The Onion website that totally misquoted and even got the plot wrong of the HP books just to make it look like Jo is promoting witchcraft. I bet they feel pretty stupid now.
Posted Oct 19, 2007 at 9:24 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
(Moderator)
Points: 1687
jones_jj says:
I did see DD as a Machiavellian character, but at the same time I thought Snape was also to a point. There were a lot of strings that seemed to point to him also. But then again DD was always behind those strings also. So Snape was Machiavellian to a point, but not as much as DD.
I'm not sure sympathy is something that should be felt for Snape, more of a relief that he really was a good guy and found the err in his old ways.
Posted Oct 19, 2007 at 11:16 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 356
harry_potterfan says:
I always thought that she didn't believe in God!!
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 5:35 AM EST
Head Boy
Points: 415
øffe-joe687½ says:
She is REALLY beautiful in that picture.
Quite stunning!
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 9:53 AM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4651
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
Wow, that's interesting.
~Drish~
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 3:33 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1675
lissir10 says:
It'll be interesting seeing Emma+Rupert kiss, along with Emma+Harry kissing!! haha
The only thing is all the shippers of hermione+harry, who don't read the books will be happy, and all like "I told you" even if their wrong! haha
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 11:46 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2860
mad_eye muggle says:
Great interview!It's quite interesting!Love the articles.I reall wish she continue to write the book about the characters.
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 12:33 AM EST
Auror
Points: 3465
HufflepuffActress says:
If you book is banned it generally means you really have said something. Often banned books are the ones really worth reading.
"I go to church myself," she declared. "I don't take any responsibility for the lunatic fringes of my own religion."
Well that it isn't it. People do crazy things in the name of religion but it does not mean that they represent the religion as a whole.
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 2:27 AM EST
Lips of an Angel
Points: 26390
3.1415926535 says:
Ahha shes talking about christian stuff, and dumbledore... and hehe... christians are like against gay people (i think...)
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 4:19 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4393
ILoveHP! says:
I loved it, I loved it, I loved it!!!!!!!!! Oh gosh! The Christiabnity thing! Very nicely answered!
And Emma kissing Dan!!!!!! I can';t wait!
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 8:33 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1453
smart hermione says:
Cool atricles- poor emma having to kiss dan too-yuck!
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 9:17 AM EST
Magical Sanitary Supplier
Points: 2518
5225 says:
Now that's something new. Emma projecting her discomfort on kissing. That's good, and that can be used as a feedback as well.
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 8:11 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2621
hbluvhp says:
Really great to hear JK's thoughts on Dumbledore and Snape and the way she wanted to complete the journey of these two characters and the feelings she wanted to leave the readers with. I also like to hear her thoughts on religion...such a personal subject and she feels secure enough to comment on it.
Posted Oct 26, 2007 at 8:05 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2011
brenpotterfans says:
Oh I so hope she writes a Harry Potter encyclopedia. I know it won't be for years, but to just know that more questions will be answered it exciting.
Posted Oct 27, 2007 at 9:49 PM EST
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