Abstract of Paper to be Presented at Accio 2008

Harry Potter Fanon: Narratives of Masculinity

Nadine Kirzinger

In her novels about Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling presents us with some very strong depictions of the performance of masculinity, which are among the disputed territory of the fandom. Indeed, we can see that fan fiction authors continually seek to redefine or expand on Rowling's portrayal of masculinity. In order to transform Rowling's vision of masculinity, these authors frequently use psychologically based models of growth, coupled with patterns of internal dialogue and narration. How, we must ask, does this impact their characters' performances of Rowling's vision of masculinity and our understanding of those performances?