2007-10-22 06:32:53 · 16 answers · asked by Ivana Cracker 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
See Harry Potter fans are awesome. there are so many great answers! And so far none are bigoted homophobes.
I think it's great, and it's so funny because I was rereading Book 7 and when I read the interaction between Dumbles and Grind. the thought flitted across my brain, but I kind of just brushed it aside. I think it's sweet and pretty cool. However, I do NOT agree with the answerer that said it was all a media ploy to get people interested in the books again. I don't think many have lost interest. I really believe JK takes the integrity and personalitites of her characters very seriously and isn't going to just make something up that she never thought of before to sell more books after the fact. Besides, the information doesn't really change anything about the books or the plot, or the fact that it's ended. :( :(
I think it was a lilttle inside tidbit for the true hardcore HP fans (like me)
2007-10-22 07:41:08 · update #1
To me personally it makes no difference whatsoever. Being "gay" is simply one's sexual orientation; it has nothing to do with whether one is a good person or a bad person.
For society at large, however, I love what Rowling has done. Dumbledore was the greatest wizard of his age, the wisest, the most powerful, the most accomplished. He was also the only Potter character (to the best of my recollection) to quote scripture, and he was constantly around children yet there was never a hint of pedophilia. Dumbledore being gay says that there is nothing wrong with gay people; they are just like everyone else: some good, some bad, some terrific, some horrible. I hope it changes a few lives.
2007-10-22 06:37:27 · answer #1 · answered by Stranger In The Night 5 · 8⤊ 0⤋
While reading the series, I had, on several occasions, contemplated Dumbledore's love life. Who was he seeing? Was he interested in any Hogwarts staff members? Why was he always single? The though of his homosexuality was a small one, but it appeared. With the introduction of Gellert Grindelwald and his back story with Dumbledore, it became obvious that there was something more than childish friendship in the midst. When I heard that Dumbledore had been outed by J.K. Rowling, I immediately thought, "Grindelwald. He loved Grindelwad. It all makes sense now!" I think it's great that Rowling decided to incorporate that real side of humanity in her series, even with the number of children that read the thousands of pages. Dumbledore's homosexuality makes sense and only deepens the plot with Grindelwald and the emotions he must have felt when realizing his malevolence and the possibility that Grindewald (or himself) had killed his sister. Amazing!
Oh yes: Hannah Abott + Neville Longbottom = Adorable
2007-10-22 09:06:38 · answer #2 · answered by TheBestAnonymous 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter. I suppose the announcement is just to make Dumbledore more three dimensional. It's nice that J.K. Rowling has taken immense care in creating a well rounded character but his love life is never discussed in the book so does it really change a thing? I don't think Dumbledore needed to be gay or straight to be a a fully developed character, but it's her book, her people, her world- however if Dumbledore being gay is important to her, Rowling should have alluded to it more in the book since it's her job to put life into the characters.
2007-10-22 06:51:56 · answer #3 · answered by hatetrashmail 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that she had any Agenda in making Dumbledore gay or in the way it was released. According to the story I read, she had told the writer of the screenplay for HBP that Dumbledore was gay because there was mention of a female love interest in the screenplay and she had to set them right. Having done that, she might as well have made it public, since it would have eventually come out anyway--she could control when and how it was done.
Throughout the series, we know Dumbledore as a tireless and seemingly single-minded fighter against Dark Wizards (at least from Harry's perspective; we do have to remember that Albus is also a great teacher, an alchemist, and important theoretical Wizard--remember the tools and instruments he made himself). But how did Albus become that way?
We learn much about this in DH, with Arianna's story, Aberforth's story and the story of the friendship between Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald. In reading DH, it was clear that Grndelwald seduced Dumbledore on a number of levels; intellectually, ideologically, and, by JKR's new revelation, emotionally. We don't know if that seduction was sexual as well, and I'm not sure it is important for us to know.
The revelation completes the picture for us of a man who felt betrayed, injured by one he loved, ashamed at how far he went from rational thought and behavior, how far he really was from what he thought he was.
The up shot is that we now know more completely Dumbledore's motivations for fighting Dark Wizards--his shame at his own tangential contribution to Grindelwald's career, his reluctance to fight him, and, when Voldemort rose, his determination to not to repeat his prior mistake of inaction and to fight Voldemort from the start.
So in summery, It was part of the way JKR viewed Dumbledore and understood him. I don't think it was something that would have come out voluntarily--more likely something that would have made a scholarly article 50 or 60 years from now after she was gone and literary scholar had access to her full notes (assuming she left them to be investigated).
BTW, there is some inkling of this in DH, where Rita Skeeter talks about devoting a chapter in her book about Dumbledore to the Dumbledore/Harry relationship. This is not to say that there was anything improper--but that JKR did put out a hint.
wl
2007-10-22 12:40:29 · answer #4 · answered by WolverLini 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It seems today every book or movie has some 'secret' gay character. If Dumbledore was in love with Grindewald then I'm sorry it didn't work out for them and also sorry that Dumbledore didn't have someone else in his life that he loved.
2007-10-22 06:38:40 · answer #5 · answered by dragonsong 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
it doesn't matter to me at all ... homosexuals are a part of society, and being one doesn't make dumbledore any better or worse. in fact, i suppose this was the way it had to be, coz no girl would have been good enough for dumbledore, unless rowling had always kept grindelwald a witch, but no one as talented or clever has been mentioned. i'm just sad he never found true love, poor guy!!!!!!
2007-10-22 06:48:55 · answer #6 · answered by Charvi 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dumbledore being gay is not an issue for me. Everyone deserves to find love and happiness. Besides, being gay not alter the fact that Dumbledore was the greatest, most wisest wizard of all. RIP.
2007-10-22 06:42:36 · answer #7 · answered by ToniSB 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
What am I supposed to think? It doesn't matter one way or the other to me. It doesn't change what happened in the books at all, nor does it change my opinion of Dumbledore and sadly enough it doesn't bring him back to life either. Whoever he chooses to fall in love with is his choice, which is the same thing I'd say to someone if they were real.
2007-10-22 06:37:30 · answer #8 · answered by Katie H 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It sure doesn't bother me. It's not like it changed the story or anything. I honestly couldn't care less. It just adds more depth to Dumbledore's mysterious past.
2007-10-22 07:56:45 · answer #9 · answered by Tomboy with girly tendencies 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cool... Gays are fine and its good shwing that he was a good guy long before finding out oh hes gay... ok still a great father figure...
Good thing to teach kids not to be homophobic.
Just like they show girls can be strong, brave and smart
And counter racisim and classisim, and show guys with glasses can be cool and to look after mates.
And that rebellion should be a good cuase and good role models
2007-10-22 06:40:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋