Should the Harry Potter Fandom Accept The Cursed Child as Canon?
As a long-time fan of the Harry Potter series, the decision to accept J.K. Rowling's The Cursed Child and its status as canon is a deeply personal one. The line between enjoying the books as written and dealing with a potential rewrite is a delicate balance. In this article, we delve into the complexities of this issue and explore why some fans choose to ignore The Cursed Child.
Personal Views and Reactions
From one fan's perspective, embracing The Cursed Child means accepting changes that go against the beloved source material. The author staunchly states that they would prefer to ignore the book, citing that it is "nonsense" that does not align with the original series. When it comes to works like Deathly Hallows, the author similarly dismisses it, insisting that anything that contradicts the original novels should not be considered canon.
“I don’t even accept Deathly Hallows as canon on the grounds that I thought it was idiotic. If people want to ignore Cursed Child I say they should go right ahead.”
The stance here is clear: the original books and the core concepts they present are sacrosanct, and any deviation from them is not acceptable. This perspective highlights a deep divide within the Harry Potter fandom, where the idea of abandoning an original storyline is considered anathema.
The Canon Controversy
The term "canon" within the Harry Potter universe refers to the official and approved versions of the narrative, which are primarily the seven novels penned by J.K. Rowling. When considering The Cursed Child, the question becomes whether this play should be included in the canon of Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling’s position has been that The Cursed Child should be accepted as canon, but the decision ultimately lies with its readers. However, the author argues that accepting The Cursed Child as canon would mean accepting certain inconsistencies with the original books, which many fans find unacceptable.
“The problem with accepting the Cursed Child is canon isn’t that it’s bad but that it goes against the canon books. Hence the problem isn’t that Rowling said it but that if we accept Rowling’s word that the CC is canon we’d have to accept certain things in the books aren’t canon. And we’d also have to accept certain OOC from the books things about characters as canon.”
This viewpoint reflects a broader debate within the Harry Potter community about the preservation of the original narrative and the implications of introducing a new canon that fundamentally alters the established storyline.
Artistic Integrity and Fan Demands
For some fans, the problem extends beyond just the narrative changes. The author suggests that an artist's work, once completed, should be judged on its own merits. The implication is that modifying a finished storyline undermines the integrity of the original work. J.K. Rowling’s involvement with The Cursed Child, though significant, did not amount to full creative control, leading to a perceived lack of authenticity in the play. The author expresses the view that if an author continues to explain and modify their work, it indicates a potential flaw in the original composition.
“Once an artist has completed a work, regardless of whether it’s a piece of music, a painting, a sculpture, or literature, they have had their say. If they have to continually explain stuff, then the work is faulty. It should be allowed to stand on its own.”
This stance highlights the importance of respecting the creator's original vision and the potential consequences of overruling that vision.
Conclusion and Personal Perspective
Ultimately, the decision to accept The Cursed Child as canon is a deeply personal one. For fans like me, the original books are the heart and soul of the Harry Potter universe. Ignoring The Cursed Child is a way of preserving the integrity and coherence of the original narrative. J.K. Rowling has a right to create and present new content, but it is ultimately up to the fans to decide how they want to interact with her work. Whether Rowling is pontificating or creating new content, the core message remains: fans should have the freedom to embrace or ignore new pieces of the Harry Potter legacy.
“Personally, I think Ms. Rowling should stop pontificating and actually do some writing, whether in the Potter universe or something different.”
The real challenge is finding a way to reconcile the desire for a coherent narrative with the freedom to explore new creative avenues. It's a complex and contentious issue, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer.