[Bitter? Nah. I'm well-aged!]
Jul. 26th, 2005 05:17 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
reenkaThe more I stick around, the more I feel like slash fandom in particular is something like the cure for canon-love, if by 'canon' you're meaning the general work rather than some specialized obsessive corner. And it's funny, 'cause I wouldn't have thought I loved the HP canon enough for this sense of protectiveness to kick in... but the wankiness has sort of swept me under at this point.
If you love canon more than fanon, it almost seems counterproductive to be in a fandom for it, because the most intelligent responses tend to also be the most blatantly critical ones, with the rest being sort of a noisy background of squee. Possibly this is what you get for hanging out around slashers rather than the folks at HP for Grownups, I admit. Not that I want to talk HP plot theory or be all grownup, either. It's a conundrum.
I think currently, my only consistent sources for joy in fandom (given that most fanfic for my pairing makes me gnash my teeth most of the time) have been the fanartists-- stuff like![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
tetherhooks' HBP art review. Man. What would I do without the happiness that is fanart? Probably I'd just read some more of those awkwardly written, badly-characterized YA fantasy books.
You know what I've realized? Especially after reading Amanuensis' (spoilery) essay on romance in HP-- it struck me that while I agree with her point that they're largely plot-driven, not character or romance-driven books overall, and I should be dissatisfied with that since my primary interests are all about character (and often romance), I'm not. Possibly because I'm lucky, and the characters to get the most development automatically become my favorites (thus I'm easily drawn to whatever character is at the story's focus is at the moment, and always most invested in Harry himself.) In other words, because I don't tend to insist on which characters get developed, or how, as long as I can have something to focus my interest on. It doesn't have to be what I expected to like; it doesn't have to involve my favorite character. In fact, I'm all the more pleased if it's a surprise.
I'm not unhappy with the books at all, really, because it's not like I expected anything from them, either in the plot or characterization department (or, I tried not to). I do read for Harry & for character development on various other fronts (I'm not too picky), but most of all I read for pleasure, not really fanon-fodder or analysis-fodder or any of that. I know the books aren't that great in this-and-that way. I just enjoy them anyway, and largely find that focusing on their shortcomings only upsets me & adds nothing to my life.
In the end, I do think this all comes down to the reader's level of expectation-- at least, the level of disappointment or surprise is directly correlated to one's level of pre-existing expectation, and I suppose it's in the nature of fannishness to expect certain things from the canon text, maybe. Though I actually expect a lot more from fanfic, since I'm usually (...usually) asked to make more of a jump in belief, with less thorough context. I think this mad pickiness with fanon is what seems to identify me as a canon-leaning fan, though I actually am more invested in my personal fanon than canon. It's all pretty... weird, I think. But almost all the wank I see has to do with crushed/twisted expectations, to the point where I'm starting to wonder if having any (and thus caring in the first place-- or is that 'projecting' rather than 'caring'?) is like, the original error (though it seems like a basic human tendency).
I expected things to make sense, for the characters to follow some sort of internal logic I can grab on to, and on a return to the same world that follows the same general rules. And, of course, I did get that much, though I follow the books' logic rather than necessarily my own in saying that. And that's what allows me my contentment, I believe-- not necessarily an active agreement with the author (and definitely not some wanky belief that Author is God), but rather a willingness to read for pleasure; to allow the story to tell itself to me without undue cross-examination on my part. I question things that remain unresolved or ambiguous, and accept the things that are laid down, inelegantly perhaps but in line with the general arc of development, because it's easier that way. Because it allows the rest of the story to continue. JKR is actually pretty self-consistent in the meta sense, it seems to me.
But my point is really about fandom: and that is that fandom-style analysis drains my love for canon like nothing else can. In fact, if I didn't love fanon (mostly just one aspect at this point, really, that being H/D), I'd leave fandom without a second thought, because it's like the canon-love killer, I swear. It's great for the fanon fan, really kind of depressing for the canon fan. Since I'm both at different points, mostly it just makes me schizoid.
Maybe it's just the meta circles I hang about in, but almost every nitpicky or bashing or negative post makes me more and more 'serious', less and less -wanting- to write -or- care about these characters, less and less enthused.
~~
So. I'd really appreciate it if you commented with something-- anything-- you really loved about any of the books, especially the latest one, that doesn't deal with your pet character/pairing/theme, though that stipulation isn't necessary. Lemme feel some love :((
If you love canon more than fanon, it almost seems counterproductive to be in a fandom for it, because the most intelligent responses tend to also be the most blatantly critical ones, with the rest being sort of a noisy background of squee. Possibly this is what you get for hanging out around slashers rather than the folks at HP for Grownups, I admit. Not that I want to talk HP plot theory or be all grownup, either. It's a conundrum.
I think currently, my only consistent sources for joy in fandom (given that most fanfic for my pairing makes me gnash my teeth most of the time) have been the fanartists-- stuff like
tetherhooks' HBP art review. Man. What would I do without the happiness that is fanart? Probably I'd just read some more of those awkwardly written, badly-characterized YA fantasy books.You know what I've realized? Especially after reading Amanuensis' (spoilery) essay on romance in HP-- it struck me that while I agree with her point that they're largely plot-driven, not character or romance-driven books overall, and I should be dissatisfied with that since my primary interests are all about character (and often romance), I'm not. Possibly because I'm lucky, and the characters to get the most development automatically become my favorites (thus I'm easily drawn to whatever character is at the story's focus is at the moment, and always most invested in Harry himself.) In other words, because I don't tend to insist on which characters get developed, or how, as long as I can have something to focus my interest on. It doesn't have to be what I expected to like; it doesn't have to involve my favorite character. In fact, I'm all the more pleased if it's a surprise.
I'm not unhappy with the books at all, really, because it's not like I expected anything from them, either in the plot or characterization department (or, I tried not to). I do read for Harry & for character development on various other fronts (I'm not too picky), but most of all I read for pleasure, not really fanon-fodder or analysis-fodder or any of that. I know the books aren't that great in this-and-that way. I just enjoy them anyway, and largely find that focusing on their shortcomings only upsets me & adds nothing to my life.
In the end, I do think this all comes down to the reader's level of expectation-- at least, the level of disappointment or surprise is directly correlated to one's level of pre-existing expectation, and I suppose it's in the nature of fannishness to expect certain things from the canon text, maybe. Though I actually expect a lot more from fanfic, since I'm usually (...usually) asked to make more of a jump in belief, with less thorough context. I think this mad pickiness with fanon is what seems to identify me as a canon-leaning fan, though I actually am more invested in my personal fanon than canon. It's all pretty... weird, I think. But almost all the wank I see has to do with crushed/twisted expectations, to the point where I'm starting to wonder if having any (and thus caring in the first place-- or is that 'projecting' rather than 'caring'?) is like, the original error (though it seems like a basic human tendency).
I expected things to make sense, for the characters to follow some sort of internal logic I can grab on to, and on a return to the same world that follows the same general rules. And, of course, I did get that much, though I follow the books' logic rather than necessarily my own in saying that. And that's what allows me my contentment, I believe-- not necessarily an active agreement with the author (and definitely not some wanky belief that Author is God), but rather a willingness to read for pleasure; to allow the story to tell itself to me without undue cross-examination on my part. I question things that remain unresolved or ambiguous, and accept the things that are laid down, inelegantly perhaps but in line with the general arc of development, because it's easier that way. Because it allows the rest of the story to continue. JKR is actually pretty self-consistent in the meta sense, it seems to me.
But my point is really about fandom: and that is that fandom-style analysis drains my love for canon like nothing else can. In fact, if I didn't love fanon (mostly just one aspect at this point, really, that being H/D), I'd leave fandom without a second thought, because it's like the canon-love killer, I swear. It's great for the fanon fan, really kind of depressing for the canon fan. Since I'm both at different points, mostly it just makes me schizoid.
Maybe it's just the meta circles I hang about in, but almost every nitpicky or bashing or negative post makes me more and more 'serious', less and less -wanting- to write -or- care about these characters, less and less enthused.
~~
So. I'd really appreciate it if you commented with something-- anything-- you really loved about any of the books, especially the latest one, that doesn't deal with your pet character/pairing/theme, though that stipulation isn't necessary. Lemme feel some love :((
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no subject
Date: 2005-07-26 10:50 am (UTC)I kind of loved Narcissa. I was divided though. I loved the fact that Harry cheated at potions XD. I love love love the Twins in a very special and unhealthy way. I love Fleur. Fleur was fucking awesome Mcawesomepants in HBP. I therefore love Bill/Fleur. I love the fact Harry was locked in a cupboard when he was younger, and his weirdo relatives, in a weird and twisted fic-psychosis-potential kind of way, for the
gay subtextsame reason I will always have a soft-spot for the X-men universe, even though it's cheesy and I really can't stand the comics. I loved it when Sirius died. I love Umbridge and Rita Skeeter. I loved the finale of GoF, from that instant they touch the Goblet. I loved Harry in GoF and OotP. I loved Voldemort/Tom before HBP. But, like Narcissa, it was sullied.I love James/Lily in the same way I love Bill/Fleur. I love the Marauders. I loved Viktor. I love Quidditch. I love some of these things for what they are, and some of them for their fandom-potential, and some of them for both.
no subject
Date: 2005-07-26 10:53 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-26 11:08 am (UTC)It sort of hurts, how much I love him, heheh. The little Weasley that could. Oh WonWon. *heart-flutter* :D
Though I really do think Hermione was having a similar emotional crisis that Harry had the last year. Everyone has... times ^^;;
no subject
Date: 2005-07-26 11:12 am (UTC)I still don't think Harry -cheated- so much as... uh, utilized his resources...? I kept thinking the regular textbooks should've been written that way, and it's not his fault they weren't. I also kept thinking Harry really does admire Snape, potentially, & does have a gift for potions (of all things!) 'cause he did follow those directions well & enthusiastically.
Awww, James/Lily love >:D :D :D I have an odd yet predictable fondness for J/L. It's exactly my favorite sort of het pairing, with the sassy independent girl and the badass arrogant guy with 'sekrit depths' who's obsessed with her or whatever. Hee. And! QUIDDITCH!
...Mmm, Quidditch makes me happy.
And fanon lets Quidditch make me happy in my pants :>
no subject
Date: 2005-07-26 11:14 am (UTC)here via the daily_snitch
Date: 2005-07-26 10:14 pm (UTC)See, I don't think he does, though. I think Harry's good at Potions - as evidence by the "E" for it on his OWLS - but isn't especially gifted at it. As evidenced by his inability to come up with an antidote on his own when he *couldn't* use his textbook to help him. (Aside: I think this is why some people (read: Hermione) regarded what Harry was doing with the Advanced Potions Book as cheating. He *wasn't* relying on his own ability; he was relying on someone else's. If Harry were using the HBP's textbook to *augment* his own abilities, that would have been one thing; to me, that wouldn't have been cheating. But he wasn't using it to augment, he was using it *wholesale*. If he'd been using it as a supplement to his own abilities, then he would have been able to come up with an antidote by himself, but because there wasn't an antidote in the HBP's notes, Harry was at a total loss as to what to do.) Harry is competent in Potions, but I don't think it comes naturally to him at all, the way, say, Charms and DADA appear to.
As for what I love about the books:
* The world of Hogwarts and how it's portrayed
* The sense that magic is as dangerous as it is wondrous
* The moving photographs. It's a terrific detail something that seems obvious - like, of *course* witches and wizards would have bewitched pictures - yet is very unique and original
* The Gryffindor Trio. Their friendship has been forged and tested by fire, and they have this connection that no one but the three of them really understand and their last scene together in HBP is one of my favorite scenes in the books
* The Slytherin Trio. I love how Crabbe & Goyle could totally kick Draco's ass if they *wanted* to, but it's obvious that they much prefer being led by him and doing his bidding, and HBP convinced me that in their own way, they love Draco every bit as much as Ron and Hermione love Harry
* Dumbledore. Because I think he's a twinkly old man *and* a cagey manipulator and strategist all at once
* Narcissa. Because she showed that you can be a bad person and a loving parent at the same time
* Cedric. Because there's just something to be *said* for a properly-raised gentleman
* Luna. Because she's 'crazy' like a fox
There's more, but I'd be here all night if I didn't stop now.
Re: here via the daily_snitch
Date: 2005-07-26 11:33 pm (UTC)Hee! It hadn't occurred to me to see Cedric as The Gentleman, but he totally is. Sort of the flipside from Zacharias, the roguish gent(?). I can totally see 18/19th century England in the Hufflepuff boys, anyway :D
And fox!Luna :D :D Sort of a moony white fox, sort of Japanese-like. I like this image :>
Oh, and I read your post (http://www.livejournal.com/users/latxcvi/209815.html#cutid1) on the logistics of inter-fannish discontent, and I realized I was toeing the line of just... pointless complaining, I guess. It's just that fandom's been extra-wanky without a visible amount of positive padding, but it really is about looking in the wrong places, and I already knew that, so thanks for inadvertantly reminding me :D