Pride and Prejudice — and Zombies?

February 4, 2009 by 1 Comment

When I describe the influence of Jane Austen on Joanne Rowling to lecture audiences, my pet phrase is that a good way for them to understand the Harry Potter novels is as “Pride and Prejudice with wands.” This hyperbole is more true than not because (1) the Hogwarts Adventures feature narrative misdirection consequent to the voice chosen by the author, a voice lifted straight from Austen’s Emma, (2) the moral message of both authors is anti-empiricist, that is, not trusting unexamined prejudices or “first impressions,” the original title of Pride and Prejudice, and (3) the satirical quality of Austen’s manners-and-morals fiction is a big part of the genre melange the writing of which is Ms. Rowling’s peculiar genius. Inside a Schoolboy novel and gothic thriller, she includes without hiccup a Georgian era romance.

This genre mixing is postmodern “double coding,” which I explain at length in Unlocking Harry Potter. But Ms. Rowling isn’t the only author to include Austen in their genre story mix. Stephenie Meyer has said Twilight, the first book of her ‘Twilight Saga,’ is a re-telling of Pride and Prejudice (if Jane Eyre is behind and within many of that book’s scenes and characters, too). But Meyers and Rowling are way too subtle with their allusions and recasting for the author of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies; it’s time for a real re-telling, straight up, with gothic horror elements on steroids thrown in. Regency romance meets Texas Chain Saw Massacre? You get the idea. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Jane Austen, Postmodern Polly, Unlocking Harry Potter

Another Dorothy Sayers Hat Tip and More

February 2, 2009 by 2 Comments

Life is too short, frankly, even to try to keep up with the conversations on hundreds of Harry Potter fan web sites, though no doubt there is great value for serious readers that is hiding on the bigger electronic bulletin boards. I am happy and have to be content, given my priorities and projects, with staying current with the goings on here and at The Hogs Head.

Fortunately, friends of this blog often share with me the jewels they have found on other sites. This morning Bob Trexler sent me a posting by Chris at the always interesting and challenging Harry Potter for Seekers yahoo discussion group. The mavens there — and these are very serious readers and students of literary alchemy — are working their way through Deathly Hallows chapter by chapter and have made it to ‘The Muggle-Born Registration Commission’ and Harry’s adventure in the Ministry of Magic.

Chris’ post is worth reading in full (you may have to join the yahoo group to follow that link) but I share the conclusion here to get at three points made there: the reference to Dorothy Sayers’ Gaudy Night (I look forward to Inked’s reaction to this hat tip), the idea of Harry as noetic or spiritual discerning eye, and the thought that ‘Mary Elizabeth’ Cattermole is rescued because of her testifying truthfully in the heart of darkness. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Unlocking Harry Potter

Harry Potter as Timeless Classic – and Investment

February 1, 2009 by 2 Comments

The three quick but fail-proof tests of an English fiction ‘classic’ or ‘great book’ according to C. S. Lewis are “Does it make you better, wiser, and happier?’ with the necessary follow-up ‘Do you like it?’ (because if you don’t like it, the book’s no good). Those are grand tests on a personal and subjective level (and perhaps that is the only one that matters). Establishing a standard that can be shared universally requires a historical review. I assume that the qualities of proven English ‘greats’ provides a dependable test of future or possible ‘greats;’ it seems, then, that there are four shared qualities in English classics, namely, remaining in print for more than a century, asking the great questions about human life, offering Christian answers, and presenting these answers with artistry that fosters their experience and assimilation by a reader suspending disbelief.

Perhaps the acid test of a “classic,” though, is in monetary value (“follow the money”). Harry Potter has passed three of the four of the English classic criteria — failing only the ‘century in print’ standard — and passes Lewis’ ‘better, wiser, happier, and delighted’ litmus. Data from 2008 online booksellers now reveals that Ms. Rowling’s Hogwarts adventures also has become an investor’s classic and tough times hedge. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Hog Pro Notes, Unlocking Harry Potter

Putin and Dobby: Separated at Birth?

January 31, 2009 by 1 Comment

I frequently joke in my talks about how much Vladimir Putin looks like Dobby the house-elf — and share as an aside that this has been the subject of some conversation and controversy in Russia since the premiere of the Chamber of Secrets movie. For those skeptical or just curious about this possibility, I urge a trip to this ‘Duck of Minerva’ post on the subject. I hope those who check it out will share their reflections here.

Filed Under: Unlocking Harry Potter

Taxonomy of Fantasy and Anne of Green Gables

January 26, 2009 by 24 Comments

Fascinating thought of the day for serious Harry Potter readers: is Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables “series” echoed in Ms. Rowling’s Harry Potter adventures? Bets over at The Anne of Green Gables and L.M.Montgomery Lexicon wrote me last week to say she thinks there are points of correspondence.

She wrote: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Unlocking Harry Potter