What do people think about Rowling announcing Dumbledore was a gay character?

Question

I'm curious what people's responses/reactions to this are.

Answer 1

I can't speak for other people, but I really couldn't care less. This new info has zero bearing on the fact that the books were very enjoyable and very well written.

Answer 2

I am neither alarmed nor elated. I don't think that JKR has an agenda, or is seeking more publicity. I think it speaks to the popularity of the series and the amount of emotional energy that fans have put into the books, that it became a big story.

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. and in any case, this story came out because she was directly asked if Dumbledore loved anyone.

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 Grindelwald 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

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/books/10...

Answer 3

Well, I find it interesting, but it really has no revelevance to the story. It was nice to have the added depth to Dumbledore, but it's not important. I am however, sick of people who are saying that he was a child molester and stuff because he was gay. I also can't believe that some people are not going to read the books anymore or that they won't allow their children to read them. This kind of ignorance disgusts me. Everyone should go to The Whomping Willows myspace page and read Matt's posts about the revelation.

Answer 4

JKR's verbally outed Dumbledore, but her written words says he's a pedophile.

She said that she put clues in the books about Dumbledore's gayness. Well, the only way to see such clues is by reading between the lines.

So reading between the lines, Rita Skeeter implied that Dumbledore was a pedophile when she referred to his relationship with Harry as being something sinister and inappropriate.

Reading between the lines, Dumbledore not only loves Grindelwald, he also loves Snape. That's the only explanation for him trusting such a vile man so much. He was into the "bad boys."

Reading between the lines his brother, Alberforth, was into bestiality with his goats. As was Hagrid with his love for his magical creatures and Mr. Filch, who was in love with his cat, Mrs. Norris.

Bellatrix cheated on her husband and became Voldemort's lover. Oh yes. Only a lover would react that way when Molly killed Bellatrix.

McGonagall, Snape, the nurse, the herbology teacher, and all the other Hogwarts teachers who didn't marry was either gay or lesbian. Reading between the lines will tell you this.

So many fans fortunately missed all these clues. But thanks to JKR, we got them now!

Answer 5

I think it was really interesting to hear the truth. It actually makes a lot of sense after reading the the 7th book. But really, it still doesn't change my opinion about the character or the books. I still love them both, and always will.

Answer 6

I was a bit shocked cause I would have never guessed it but I'm getting used to it. I would have imagined someone else to be gay but not Dumbledore ...
I thought my friend was playing with me when she first told me ...

Answer 7

Since the books seem to be read by people in their late teens and early 20s, it's suitable for the readers.

Answer 8

honestly, i think a lot of people figured it out on their own, it just wasn't important enough to distract from the book itself. it still doesn't take anything away from the books, it just adds a bit of depth in one of the characters' lives.

Answer 9

I don't care what other people say about dumbledore being GAY .......I love him and he is always my role model.......i think people are just making a big deal about it ......

Answer 10

It's one of those moments of irrelevance. I mean like who cares? Does it really change any of the plot? In some movies or books it is relevant but here it really isn't.