By all means continue destroying my possessions. I daresay I have too many.
J. K. RowlingRead
People ask me if there are going to be stories of Harry Potter as an adult. Frankly, if I wanted to, I could keep writing stories until Harry is a senior citizen, but I don't know how many people would actually want to read about a 65 year old Harry still at Hogwarts playing bingo with Ron and Hermione.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote humorously reflects on the idea of extending a beloved character's story into old age, questioning the interest in such scenarios.
In this quote, J.K. Rowling addresses the possibility of continuing Harry Potter's story well into his old age, suggesting that while she has the capability to do so, she doubts the audience’s desire to read about an elderly Harry engaged in mundane activities like playing bingo. This reveals the balance between creative freedom and audience expectation, while also highlighting the natural progression of characters beyond their initial adventures.
Themes
Harry PotterAgingStoriesImaginationAudience
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a discussion about the evolution of characters in literature during a book club.
More from J. K. Rowling
All quotes →Where are you heading, if you’ve got the choice?” James lifted an invisible sword. “‘Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart!’ Like my dad.” Snape made a small, disparaging noise. James turned on him. “Got a problem with that?” “No,” said Snape, though his slight sneer said otherwise. “If you’d rather be brawny than brainy —” “Where’re you hoping to go, seeing as you’re neither?” interjected Sirius.
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Depression isn't just being a bit sad. It's feeling nothing. It's not wanting to be alive anymore.
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I tell you, that dragon's the most horrible animal I've ever met, but the way Hagrid goes on about it, you'd think it was a fluffy little bunny rabbit.
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Imagine losing fingernails, Harry! That really puts our sufferings into perspective, doesn't it?
J. K. RowlingRead
The consequences of our actions are always so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult business indeed.
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