Dumbledore and more

It’s everywhere, in all the major publications, including Time and Newsweek, but for a smart roundup of reaction to the news that "Harry Potter's" Albus Dumbledore could be gay, see Jim Emerson’s Scanners blog.

Although Emerson does cite what some people are saying about J.K. Rowling’s revelation about the head master of Hogwarts, he also discusses at length the creative process of writers. It’s refreshing to read about the literary considerations--not the controversy--of Rowling’s fictional decisions.

"Note that Rowling did not say Dumbledore was gay," he writes. "She was explaining how she had always thought of the character she created."

Emerson goes on to argue that, in serial fiction especially, much of what happens to characters is kept "off-page or off-screen, where we are encouraged to imagine them leading lives beyond what we actually witness as readers or viewers." The best fictions, in other words, are those with layers.

A long time ago, I attended a speech in which Doris Lessing said the same thing in describing her practices as a fiction writer. Often, she said, you must imagine details about your fictional world that will never be included in the story--and yet, their presence will be indirectly felt, thus giving a richer, fuller dimension to the universe you’ve created.

That’s the literary aspect of Rowling’s disclosure, a consideration quickly eclipsed by all the social, religious and political furor of the last week. Dumbledore’s sexuality was more important to her creative process than to our reading of her books--a point, it seems, that is far too subtle for some of her critics.

Reaction this week also included references to other beloved fictional characters who are or have been under similar microscopes for being gay. Here are a few that may amuse, and quite possibly exasperate:

"Star Trek’s" Capt. Kirk and Mr. Spock: There’s been speculation about the "true nature" of their relationship for some time, as Jim Emerson also relates on his blog.

Batman and Robin: Complaints and allegations have long swirled around the Dynamic Duo.

Bilbo Baggins: In a recent Guardian piece about Rowling’s announcement, Philip Hensher writes of the "Lord of the Rings" character: "[W]ith his domestic fussiness ... [he] seems a strong candidate."

Gandalf: No way, but Stephen Colbert on his TV show last week suggested that the color scheme of the wizard’s robes is cause for suspicion. "Gandalf the Gray: perfectly straight," he says. "Gandalf the White, on the other hand? We’re not sure. It’s the robe. Who wears that much white after Labor Day?"

Nick Owchar