This thread discusses the Content article: The Outing of Dumbledore

oh please. rowling is a great writer, but she really needs to quit pulling stunts like this to get people to read her books. she doesn't need to. it would be like tolkien saying, oh by the way, frodo and sam were gay.

I seriously doubt she was pulling any stunts to get people to read her books for exactly the reason you pointed out: she doesn't need to. It was always part of his character whether it was in print or not, just like the rest of his backstory that was revealed in Deathly Hallows. His character never changed, only the public perception of his character.

Great books, but this revelation seems silly, poorly timed and superfluous. If it doesn't change Dumbledore's character or advance the story then why does this piece of information need to be revealed. Honestly, if it were an integral part of the story, she would have written it into the story.

I for one choose to ignore what she said on the subject or else choose to believe that she does not know her character as well as she thinks she does. Whether or not Rowling said it does not make it true.

I don't think it makes any difference to the story. And if it doesn't than why state it? For cheap sensationalism?


Richard Vasseur
www.jazmaonline.com

At first I didn't think it added to the story, either, but then I thought about it some more. Maybe Dumbledore's patience with Snape was influenced by the fact that Dumbledore, too, had experienced unrequited love.

I think that this announcement fits into Rowling's character -- she has made other announcements about the fates and backgrounds of many characters. This is just the only one that people are noticing, because it's such a "big deal."

But then again -- is it a big deal? So he was gay. So what? I think this is equivalent to finding out what career a character took on, who married who, and how people got along after the books ended.

dmj wrote:
Great books, but this revelation seems silly, poorly timed and superfluous. If it doesn't change Dumbledore's character or advance the story then why does this piece of information need to be revealed.

The same reason she said Neville married Hannah. The fans want to know. And why shouldn't they?

I for one choose to ignore what she said on the subject or else choose to believe that she does not know her character as well as she thinks she does. Whether or not Rowling said it does not make it true.

That's pretty arrogant to say you know her character better than she does after she's been writing him for ten years. Ignore it or not, it's your choice, but it doesn't change the facts.