Chan Welbourne
2011-09-04 17:05:32 UTC
I was reading this article by David Sanders, a Lewisburg Tennessee
English teacher, regarding Stephen King's et al comments about J. K.
Rowling...
http://snipurl.com/2827ta [groups_google_com]
...and it occurred to me that, as an American, our differences with the
British makes for a cultural gap. They are very much more inclined to
the things of the indoor (reading, writing, watching) and us to the
things of the out and out (sports, movie theaters, dining)
I remembered a recent interview given by Emma Watson which I
paraphrase...
http://snipurl.com/28282g [www_iheartwatson_net]
*What do you miss about the UK when you’re away?*
"My friends and family, obviously. But I also miss the food. You won’t
believe this either, but I miss the weather. I actually miss the grey
because it’s nice to feel like you can snuggle up indoors, watch a
movie and not feel guilty. I’ve got that inherent British thing that
the minute the sun comes out I’ve got to be outside enjoying every
single second of it."
I have come to the conclusion when discussing the alchemical references
that JKR has included in the Harry Potter series with my American
friends, that the cultural gap truly rears its head. They simply do not
"get it".
What they do not get is much more the concept of literary alchemy, of
chemical alchemy, of alchemy in general than its use by JKR. It's not
part of our literary heritage, or historical or for tha matter our
history of science.
The end result of this gap is damning and damaging. Until Americans can
grasp the relevance of literary alchemy, the possibility of a
widespread dissemination of the alchemical message in the Harry Potter
series is seriously constrained. :-[
Emma likes ping-pong, we like tennis. 'Nuff said? :/
English teacher, regarding Stephen King's et al comments about J. K.
Rowling...
http://snipurl.com/2827ta [groups_google_com]
...and it occurred to me that, as an American, our differences with the
British makes for a cultural gap. They are very much more inclined to
the things of the indoor (reading, writing, watching) and us to the
things of the out and out (sports, movie theaters, dining)
I remembered a recent interview given by Emma Watson which I
paraphrase...
http://snipurl.com/28282g [www_iheartwatson_net]
*What do you miss about the UK when you’re away?*
"My friends and family, obviously. But I also miss the food. You won’t
believe this either, but I miss the weather. I actually miss the grey
because it’s nice to feel like you can snuggle up indoors, watch a
movie and not feel guilty. I’ve got that inherent British thing that
the minute the sun comes out I’ve got to be outside enjoying every
single second of it."
I have come to the conclusion when discussing the alchemical references
that JKR has included in the Harry Potter series with my American
friends, that the cultural gap truly rears its head. They simply do not
"get it".
What they do not get is much more the concept of literary alchemy, of
chemical alchemy, of alchemy in general than its use by JKR. It's not
part of our literary heritage, or historical or for tha matter our
history of science.
The end result of this gap is damning and damaging. Until Americans can
grasp the relevance of literary alchemy, the possibility of a
widespread dissemination of the alchemical message in the Harry Potter
series is seriously constrained. :-[
Emma likes ping-pong, we like tennis. 'Nuff said? :/