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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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Auror
Points: 2651
Tokio Hotel Fan says:
Jo is so cool. I think that people could not question her about her reilgon because it hers. Well Emma got to know that she is kissing Dan and Rupert.
Posted Oct 17, 2007 at 7:00 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1608
~Harry's true love~ says:
Hahahaha! I LOVE the MTV interview!!!! hahah, it was Rad! That lucky Emma! Gah, I want to kiss them! :( hehehe
I can't wait to see how they plan everything for the last movie.
Posted Oct 17, 2007 at 7:11 PM EST
Antipodean Snow Goddess
Points: 3071
Tikihaha says:
“I told all of them little bits, [but] I told Emma Watson the most,” Rowling said of the actress who plays Hermione Granger, who in the seventh novel finally gets her romantic moment with Ron Weasley. “She nearly fell off the chair laughing when I told her who she had to kiss.”
I loved that part of the article!
Fantastic stuff - thanks for my fix as I cannot wait until the next movie, but I don't want it all to end (again) ...
Posted Oct 17, 2007 at 7:41 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1384
Mrs.Oddment-Tweak says:
[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.
Yes, I think I've noticed some of that in the books.
And I can't help wondering why Emma would fall off her chair laughing when Jo told her Hermione kisses Ron in Deathly Hallows. Is this a good or bad sign?
Posted Oct 17, 2007 at 7:45 PM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 9051
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
Interesting views and commmentaries. It it of great interest to me how her own views shaped and are reflected in the books. Comments like this make it more alive.
Posted Oct 17, 2007 at 8:05 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1008
PhoenixThestral says:
I love it when people are completely honest about their doubts, and they are not afraid to show it through their art and to share it with others. This reminds others that they are humans, and that they struggle through life just like the rest of us do.
Posted Oct 17, 2007 at 8:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 534
~AlyPotter~ says:
Great interviews. Everything that was said was very intersting (especially the bit about Dan pretending to know what happens and Emma laughing). Can't wait to hear more.
Posted Oct 17, 2007 at 8:55 PM EST
Custodian of Miracles
Points: 3264
MadamDumbledore says:
Questioning and wondering is part of what makes us human. It is however, remaining faithful and strong in our commitment to those beliefs, despite our uncertainty, that makes us stronger and wiser.
After all, if we believe in nothing[/i, we can quite easily end up believing in [i]anything.
Posted Oct 17, 2007 at 9:19 PM EST
Witch
Points: 614
Harry_Hermoine_Fanz says:
Emma is lucky! Can't wait for HBP to come out! Have to see it by then, and see who she is going to kiss. (Too lazy to watch the interview!)
Posted Oct 17, 2007 at 9:23 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1426
~Hermione says:
I love this article. It was very interesting and well funny. I hope that there will be both kisses in the movie!
Posted Oct 17, 2007 at 9:42 PM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27909
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
YAY!
I loved these two articles!
:)
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Posted Oct 17, 2007 at 9:48 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1262
TheSeventhHorcrux says:
Ooh, that would've really helped me with my research paper last year. I wrote my paper on Harry Potter and Christianity, and info directly from Jo herself would've done wonders. But I definitely learned a lot from doing that paper, it was interesting to see parallels between Harry Potter and the Bible... and some of the ridiculous arguments against HP!!
Posted Oct 17, 2007 at 10:07 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
GAH I hatehatehate that Christian BS stuff that I have heard for sooo many years about Harry Potter.
I look the other way.
Posted Oct 17, 2007 at 10:18 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2108
phoenix_feathers says:
Woohoo J.K.!!!! I'm going to go and read the article. I was sort of thinking- had Jo's mum not died while she was writing SS/PS, the books would have been completely different... I'm going to do some more thinking on that.
Posted Oct 17, 2007 at 10:36 PM EST
Auror
Points: 4081
RON's all up in heRmiONe says:
*SPOILERS-LOTS OF THEM*
While I was reading the HP books, I did see some Christian Imagery. Like with the last book-*SPOILER*-when Harry learns that he has to "die", so he starts walking to his death, knowing that for Voldemort has to be vanquished, he has to die along with him. I think that could be compared to Jesus Christ walking to his death on the day he died on the cross. That's only my opinion though.
I knew Jo told the actors what their character fates were, it would be mean not to. They have to know whats going to happen to them, so they can prepare. I love how Emma started laughing after she heard she was going to kiss Harry and Ron(I am so happy that they're not digitally animating Harry and Hermione kissing witht he Horcrux scene). You know, Emma did laugh on the outside, but I bet she was thinking, "YES, YES YES YES!! I get to get a taste of Dan and Rupert! YEAH SON!!"-I know that would have been my reaction.
Posted Oct 17, 2007 at 10:50 PM EST
Honeydukes Eye Candy
Points: 3501
Pansyful says:
I think the way she balances religion in the the books were just right. she can't have people confused between the reality of harry potter and religion that would not have made a good combination
Posted Oct 17, 2007 at 11:38 PM EST
Witch
Points: 803
ShiningShina says:
That is so cool. That should mess with the fundamentalist Potter-haters. Hehe.
Posted Oct 18, 2007 at 2:15 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1864
Bright Eyes says:
I think she'd have to tell them a bit about what happened later - because it would help build up character and create a continual progression throughout the films. Hehe. I can see Emma's face - RUPERT!?? ME!!??
Posted Oct 18, 2007 at 5:59 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2363
Nataly says:
"Emma Watson was given the most information and how she reacted when told who she would be kissing." Emma rocks! She is the best i love her!!
Great interview from Rowlling
Posted Oct 18, 2007 at 7:24 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2218
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
I totally agree with phoenix_feathers. I think Jo's mother's passing had a lot of influence in her writing. If that had not happen, how different would Harry be?
Posted Oct 18, 2007 at 9:53 AM EST
Points: 1797
howdoideletethis says:
I feel like a TOTAL idiot but will someone remind me when in the 7th book Hermione kisses Harry..? Everyone keeps saying, "Haha, she get's to kiss both of them!" and I only remember the Hermione/Ron moment. (If someone is actually going to answer, could you put my name in the post so I get the message in my email)
Posted Oct 18, 2007 at 3:15 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1589
BB_Sectumsempra says:
The religious parrallels are there...but I do not really like to focus on them. Anyway, great interview/article and I agreed with J.K. I deffinetaly felt sympathy for Snape, not really for Dumbeldore (though he made mistakes he accomplished his goal in the end).
Posted Oct 18, 2007 at 3:21 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 430
NETPACQ says:
I hope JK is writing that book on the characters.
Posted Oct 18, 2007 at 4:25 PM EST
Witch
Points: 538
Dementor Hugger says:
i think JKR's belief on life after death is very good. shes almost exactly like me. l0l. but i just cant get this out of my mind that the book was just so good!
Posted Oct 18, 2007 at 5:14 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3659
Anastasia Popovick says:
I absolutely loved the comment by Raven Elf Song! I thought there were religious undertones as well. It is nice to be proven correct!
Posted Oct 18, 2007 at 7:35 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1524
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
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