Doris

I think about Star Wars as similar to HP in that the original creation was hailed as genius not only for the work itself but for the technological advancements and for being a marketing phenomena. Unfortunately, for many people, Star Wars as a work of art, as a story, was ruined by the hubris of its creator. Rather than leave well enough alone he went out and said that it was his work, that he knew better than the fans. Ask just about any Star Wars fan, Han shooting first is an example of one of the worst revisions a creator every made, and one that significantly changed what and who a particular character was. I'm afraid, that in some ways, JKR is starting down that path. With her interviews and post-publication revelations she's trying to control people's interpretations of characters and events. I think that by doing that she damages her creation.

Among people who frequent message boards, of which I am one, HP will probably always be a part of our lives. I'm asking in more general sense, in regards to the world at large. I know of many people who were huge fans, who rarely even think about it anymore. If that can happen to formerly die hard fans, what's going to happen to the passive people who've maybe read one or two of the books and seen the movies.

It also has to do with the author's inability to let the work stand on its own merit. Her interest in controlling the interpretations and other details takes something away from the literary aspect of it. This comes from someone who in the past praised her work most highly for it's subtlety in regards to adult themes and issues. I thought she was a genius for writing things into the books that one could see if they chose, but if one didn't choose to see, they'd never miss them. It's almost like she's strangling the work. On it's own, it's brilliant. There is such a thing as tweaking too much.

Doris

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. That's sort of what I was looking for from this topic. I agree that HP fits into those categories well, on it's own. Maybe my doubt has to do with a fear that the vaccum that will be created by the end of the HP machine will overwhelm the recognition of those traits. People, at large, will dismiss HP in the future as a product of hype. I hope that isn't so, and personally believe the books stand up; but at the same time I can see what I'd call the real HP being suffocated, smothered, and destroyed.

I think about Star Wars as similar to HP in that the original creation was hailed as genius not only for the work itself but for the technological advancements and for being a marketing phenomena. Unfortunately, for many people, Star Wars as a work of art, as a story, was ruined by the hubris of its creator. Rather than leave well enough alone he went out and said that it was his work, that he knew better than the fans. Ask just about any Star Wars fan, Han shooting first is an example of one of the worst revisions a creator every made, and one that significantly changed what and who a particular character was. I'm afraid, that in some ways, JKR is starting down that path. With her interviews and post-publication revelations she's trying to control people's interpretations of characters and events. I think that by doing that she damages her creation.

. Maybe my doubt has to do with a fear that the vaccum that will be created by the end of the HP machine will overwhelm the recognition of those traits.

I know of many people who were huge fans, who rarely even think about it anymore.

This is not meant to be a depressing thread, I just wanted to put it out there. (Yes, I know it's not an original thought).

Being now almost 6 months gone from the release of DH, I begin to wonder about the actual lasting power of the series. I know during all the high times and hullabaloo the popular consensus among most fans was that these books were here to stay. We all felt that these would become part of the lexicon of children's literature along with Dahl, Bloom, Potter (Beatrice); and many even felt they'd sit alongside Tolkien and Dickens as well.

Now that we're past the point of revelation, I wonder, is it all over but the shoutin'?

I, for one, think Harry Potter is dead. There is still enough money to be made that the hype machine will keep rolling on, at least past the point of the final DVD release. He's dead though. I think HP, as a work of literature, will fade to the point of being simply answers to trivia questions. The legacy of the fandom, particularly the ways in which the fansites were leveraged by the publishers and studios, will endure as a template for other works.

That's Harry Potter's legacy, as a phenomena, not as a work of literature.

I understand what everybody is saying, and don't necessarily disagree, in context. Among people who frequent message boards, of which I am one, HP will probably always be a part of our lives. I'm asking in more general sense, in regards to the world at large. I know of many people who were huge fans, who rarely even think about it anymore. If that can happen to formerly die hard fans, what's going to happen to the passive people who've maybe read one or two of the books and seen the movies.

It also has to do with the author's inability to let the work stand on its own merit. Her interest in controlling the interpretations and other details takes something away from the literary aspect of it. This comes from someone who in the past praised her work most highly for it's subtlety in regards to adult themes and issues. I thought she was a genius for writing things into the books that one could see if they chose, but if one didn't choose to see, they'd never miss them. It's almost like she's strangling the work. On it's own, it's brilliant. There is such a thing as tweaking too much.

*Timelessness - The quality of the storyline doesn't decay in another time period.
*Character Archetypes - I admit that I love these characters, but they follow the archetypical structure of other great heroes, villains and sidekicks.
*Literary themes - Love/Hate; Bonding Friendships; Love conquers all; Coming of Age Story; Literary illusions; these themes will help the piece withstand the test of time.
*Epic Journey - Taking places over several years and in several locations.

I am sure that once the cultural phenomena of this book has cooled, the intellectual study will continue. The intellectual study will keep the books alive, and the depth of the characters will help keep the books in the memory of students long after they have studied them.

I also know that calling something a "classic" tends to be an opinion. I personally know that Moby Dick is an American classic, but I detest it. In my opinion, this series of books will be considered a timeless classic of World Literature, but again only time will tell.

Of the names you mentioned, who is Bloom?

That's Judy Bloom. She wrote "Super-Fudge", "Are You There God, It's Me Margaret", "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing", and "Blubber" among others. I grew up reading her books. But looking back her books remained children's books. I outgrew them. Harry Potter on the other hand grew with us, and is written so well it appeals to readers from ages 9-50+. So I think they exceed some of the authors mentioned, and will result in more staying power rather than less.