Biographical on J.K. Rowling - Research Paper Example

Biographical research paper on J.K Rowling Life before hip: Some may feel that Rowling’s life before hip was a fantasy story because it tells the importance of willpower in human life. For instance, Rowling believed in her ability to create fantasy tales, but she was not sure whether she can make use of the same for a living or not. Joanne Mattern stated that, “J.K. Rowling did not expect her books to become such a huge success” (Mattern, 3). In every juncture of her private life, she carried her imaginative power with her. She faced so many hardships in her life, but it did not weaken her willpower. Her childhood life in the countryside ignited her deep interest in storytelling. Philip Nel stated that, “Both Anne and Peter Rowling loved reading, read to their children, and by the time she was six, Joanne began inventing stories which she told to her younger sister” (Nel, 8). Besides, her close relationship with her sister forced her to play the role of a guardian who is free to create stories to impress her sister. William Compson stated that, “Rowling says that from a very young age, as soon as she was old enough to realize that people actually wrote books (as opposed to books simply magically appearing), she decided that she wanted to be a writer” (Compson, 14). Rowling collected the raw materials for her future authorship from her childhood and teen-age. Still, she did not neglect the importance of reading in her life. Victoria Peterson-Hilleque stated that, “Joanne excelled in many languages during her course of study” (Peterson-Hilleque, 23). On the other side, she knew that academic education can help her to pursue a university degree and career, but the same cannot fulfil her personal interest. The author made clear that, “Although Joanne had a university degree and plenty of teaching experience, she was unable to find a job” (Mattern 41). So, she tried to balance her life between academic education and literary interest. In short, her life before authorship was a preparatory stage for the future success within the context of literature. Family: Rowling is basically from the countryside of England, named as Yate. Besides, her father (say, P J Rowling) was an Aircraft Engineer who worked at Rolls-Royce Company. Similarly, her mother (say, Anne Rowling) was interested in science and was a science technician by profession. Robert P. Merges stated that, “Ms. Rowling came from a middle-class family of professionals” (Merges, 133). So, one can see that Rowling family belonged to the middle class society in England, and she was born in the year 1965. The story behind her origin is interesting and similar to her fantasy tales because her parents happened to meet for the first time at the Kings Cross Station. Eventually, they married in the year 1965. On the other side, her ancestral origin in rooted in Scotland and France. To be specific, her father’s family was rooted in Scotland and her mother’s family was rooted in France. So, the cultural aspect of Rowling family is mixed. This mixed ancestry was helpful for her to accept certain multicultural characteristics in her private and public domains. The author made clear that, “She was from a stable, middle-class family; had received a good basic education; had attended a solid public university; and had the support of family and friends during her early days as a single parent” (Merges, 134). Besides, she was not the only child in her family because she was blessed with a sister named as Dianne. Philip Nel stated that, “In about 1964, they married, and two years after Joanne’s birth, a second daughter, Diana (nicknamed Di) was born” (Nel, 7-8). In her later life, Rowling became enthusiastic about her ancestral origin and researched on the same to unearth more facts on the same. For instance, her research unearthed the fact that her grandfather was veteran military person, who served his motherland during WWI. So, her origin as the representative of a multicultural family, with British, French, and Scottish roots ignited her imagination as a storyteller in future years. Schooling, struggles Rowling’s primary education started at a nearby primary school, named as St Michaels. The education at this primary school deeply influenced her imagination. For instance, Rowling made use of the headmaster at this school (say, named as Alfred Dunn) to create a similar character in her later literary works. To be specific, one can easily identify certain similarities between this headmaster and the head master (Albus Dumbledore) in Harry Potter series. Later, she joined Wyedean School for secondary education. Her secondary education was directly under her mother’s control because her mother served at Wyedean School. During this time, she was forced to undergo emotional turmoil because certain family problems haunted her. Cheryl Hamilton stated on the economic problems faced by Rowling as “Rowling did experience serious money problems until her Harry Potter books began selling several years later” (Hamilton, 35). One can see that personal problems can influence students and affect their academic output. Within this scenario, the health problems faced by her mother affected her because she provided ample importance to her private life. Besides, her father’s attitude towards her family was negative and it resulted in further problems within her private domain. Still, she did not neglect her education because she knew that education can help her to overcome her problems and to be successful in future years. The author made clear that, “Rowling attended public (in the U.S. sense, that is, nonprivate) primary and secondary schools, and then the public Bristol University” (Merges, 133). For instance, she was appointed as the Head Girl at her school. Later, she tired her level best to get selected at Oxford University, but for vain. Still, she did not give up her effort because she got selected at the University of Exeter. Victoria Peterson-Hilleque stated that, “Instead, she was accepted to the University of Exeter in Devon, England, and began classes there in 1983” (Peterson-Hilleque, 31). This proves that family problems affected Rowling’s teen-age life, but she overcome the same and continued her high education. Inspiration The inspiration behind the creation of the fantasy world of Harry Potter is linked with the author’s interest in imagination and the world of fantasy. For instance, she used to go through a number of books during her teen-age. Victoria Peterson-Hilleque stated that, “However, it is Elizabeth Goudge’s The Little White Horse that she names as one of the most influences on her conception of Harry Potter” (Peterson-Hilleque, 20). Besides, her close relationship with her sister and her interest in role-playing as her sister’s guardian ignited her imagination and literary craftsmanship. For instance, she used to create imaginary stories and shared the same with her sister. On the other side, she did not ignore her career and joined at the Amnesty International. Her life as a student at the University of Exeter helped her to unleash her interest in classics. But she did not feel satisfied by her service at the Amnesty International. So, she decided to quit her job and to live in Manchester. She knew that career centric life cannot help her to fulfil her personal interest. The primary motivation for the creation of the character named as Harry Potter is interesting because it came to her in the form of an incident in her daily life. While she was travelling to London, the train happened be delayed for a few hours. Deborah Tussey stated that, “According to Rowling, the idea for the books “Simply fell into [her] head” in 1990 while she was delayed for four hours on a crowded train from Manchester to London” (Tussey, 5). Then, the imaginary tale of a boy, who was forced to attend the school of witchcraft, due to certain reasons flashed in her inner mind. Reaching her flat, she began to write the story of the boy who is interested in witchcraft. In her literary work, the author made use of the behaviour traits of a number of characters in her from her private domain and public domain. Besides, one can easily identify the author’s character in her protagonist. So, the author made use of the struggles in her life as the inspiration behind the creation of the world of Harry Potter. Fame Rowling never imagined herself as a literary sensation in future. To be specific, she was a single mother, trying her level best to satisfy the needs of her child and trying to protect her small family from economic problems. Colleen A. Sexton quoted Rowling’s words as ““I never expected to find myself in that situation, and I was furious with myself” she later recalled” (Sexton, 55). Besides, her family was on welfare and the same proves the economic condition of her family. But most of the publishers rejected her first literary work because she was a newbie in the literary world. Martine Hellyer stated that, “J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter book was sent to at least a dozen publishers and rejected by all of them” (Hellyer, 43). Finally, she was able to sell her work to Bloomsbury. This event can be considered as a turning point in her literary career. Her first book helped her to gain economic security and fame as a budding writer. Besides, she quit her flat and moved to another place, named as Edinburgh. Still, she did not try to enjoy her newly acquired fame as a writer because she knew that fame is momentary and life has to go on. The author made clear that, “She had a happy childhood, attended school, and later became a single mother struggling to support herself and her young daughter” (Mattern, 3). As a mother, she can be proud of her literary craftsmanship and charisma as a writer because her books inspired young children to read. One can see that the modern world provides more importance to visual media, but provides less importance to books. Within this scenario, Rowling’s role is important because she led young children towards the world of literature. Still, she does not try to forget her past as a single mother who was once tried painstakingly to support her child. Life The important events and moments in Rowling’s life deeply influenced her interaction within her private and public domains and moulded her literary craftsmanship. For instance, her sister’s birth was an important event in her personal life because the same helped her to escape from loneliness. Besides, her higher education in Paris, especially at the University of Exeter, was another important event because it helped her to be in touch with the world of literature. Philip Nel stated that, “Perhaps anticipating a different future for herself, Rowling – as part of her degree – spent a year in Paris as a teaching assistant” (Nel, 16). Her service at the Amnesty International was another important event in her life because it extended her interaction with the outer world. In the year 1988, she was able to publish her literary project in the journal named as Pegasus, and this can be considered as an important moment in her life. In the year 1990, an unexpected delay at a Railway Station forced her to think about the story of an orphaned boy who is interested in witchcraft. Michael Cart stated that “Rowling has proved a gifted storyteller with a remarkable ability to create a detailed alternative world that coexists with ours” (Cart, 97). This theme was later developed into her first successful literary venture. Her remarriage with Jorge Arantes, in the year 1992 was another important moment in her life. In the year 1995, she completed the manuscript of her literary work, which was later developed into a series. Besides, the publication of her first work in the year 1997 changed her life forever. Gradually, Rowling came to know that her personal interest (say, literature) is enough to support her small family. For instance, in 1998, she signed a contract with a film production company named as Warner Bros. So, these are the important events and moments in her life that transformed her from a helpless single mother to a literary sensation. Present condition The final book within Harry Potter series was released in the year 2007. After the series has ended, Rowling decided to take a short break from the literary world because she knew that privacy is important for her family. Victoria Peterson-Hilleque opined that, “Saying good-bye to writing the Harry Potter series was bittersweet for Rowling” (Peterson-Hilleque, 19). Besides, she decided to indulge in charity programmes and national politics. For instance, she donated plenty of money to the Labour Party on behalf of this political party’s policies on poverty and related problems. She decided to spent money for the benefit of poor children because she was aware of the problems related to poverty. But in 2008, she declared that she is interested to continue her literary life, and the same was basically for children. Colleen A. Sexton opined on Rowling’s present condition as, “Even though she will leave Harry Potter behind, she knows one thing for sure: “I’ll be writing until I can’t write anymore” (Sexton, 102). One can see that Rowling was a victim of depression during her life as a single mother. When she became economically independent, she decided to help patients who were facing neurotic diseases. So, she decided to donate money to the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic. Still, she knows that she cannot ignore her personal interest in literature because the same is her passion. For instance, she declared in 2012 that she is planning to write two books related to fantasy genre and political satire/tale. This proves that she cannot keep herself away from the world of literature. Still she does not try to accumulate wealth because the same cannot help her to be peaceful. The influence of past Generally, hardships faced during childhood, especially emotional problems, can exert influence on human beings. Within this scenario, unexpected deaths can exert pressure upon children because the same can force them to face alienation. For instance, the author was not able to build up healthy relationship with her father. The author made clear that, “Joanne’s father, Peter, had remarried less than two years after Anne Rowling died” (Mattern, 40). This deeply influenced her and she maintained healthy relationship with her sister. To be specific, the lifelong warm relationship between the author and her younger sister can be considered as an attempt to escape from alienation within their private domain. Besides, unexpected fame and media coverage related to the success within the field of literature affected her personal life in general. Her celebrity status affected her emotional equilibrium and she was forced to undergo therapy sessions. Still, she tried her level best to cope up with newly acquired fame and celebrity status by extending her service to the needy in the society. To be specific, the author began to indulge in charity programs and social service. This helped her to maintain her emotional equilibrium without further emotional problems. Now she feels that celebrity status in the mainstream society can help her to be influential among the mass. Besides, she is not yet ready to forget her past because she knows that the same helped her to provide equal importance to personal and public life. The author made clear that, “Every time Joanne went to cash her welfare check, she felt like everyone else in line was secretly thinking of her as a lazy woman who expected the government to pay for everything” (Mattern, 41-42). This is important because this sort of self-realization can help human beings to lead peaceful lives. In short, now she feels that hardships and instant fame helped her to assess herself as a human being. Impact Some of the aforementioned events and moments exerted positive and negative impacts in the author’s life. For instance, internal problems within her private domain forced to shrink herself into her small family, consisting of her daughter and younger sister. Later, she came to know that shrinking into one’s private domain with no reason cannot bring forth happiness in one’s life. So, she decided to enter the public domain as an author. This transformed her life, but she was not able to withstand the pressure related to celebrity status. Jack Zipes stated that, “Therefore her personal story, or the little we know of it through new papers, magazine articles, and various Websites, captures our attention and our hearts because of the astonishing turnabout that has occurred in her life, which follows our conventional wish fulfilment of rags to riches” (Zipes, 174). Still, she did not give up her strong belief in her willpower. One can see that unexpected success can create pride in human minds. But Rowling knew that her life is the sum total of positive and negative happening in her life. This realization, added with single-minded dedication towards her private interest (authorship) helped her to overcome almost all troubles and to be positive about future. Regret One cannot expect a life with full of happiness and prosperity because human life is a combination of happiness and unexpected problems. If one can learn from unexpected problems, one can maintain one’s emotional equilibrium without any failure. Within this scenario, the first half of Rowling’s life was challenging. But she learned valuable lessons from those problems and made use of the same as a motivation to move towards future. The author made clear that, “As soon as Jessica fell asleep, Joanne would duck into a cafe, order a coffee, and begin to write” (Mattern, 43). Still, she wishes that her mother should be with her to see her success as a writer. Now, this is impossible because her mother is no more. Philip Nel stated that, “At the very least, Anne Rowling’s premature death suggests the degree to which Harry’s emotional experience echoes Joanne’s” (Nel, 19). To be specific, her mother passed away when she was a youngster. Victoria Peterson-Hilleque stated that, “When Rowling saw her at Christmas the year before her inspired train ride, she knew her mother looked thin and frail, but did not realize how close she was to the end of her life” (Peterson-Hilleque, 40). She knows that her mother was not able to see her as a successful writer. Besides, she did not disclose her mother that she was writing a fantasy tale for young children. Harold Ivan Smith stated that, “Soon after her grandmother died, her mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis” (Smith, 48). So, one can see that her interest in charity, especially her interest in helping the patients who are facing multiple sclerosis, is related to her wish to help her mother who faced the same problem. Apart from this unfulfilled wish (say, to help her mother), her life is successful as a writer, mother, wife, and as a human being. Summing, Rowling’s life can be divided into two: life before and after her authorship. One can see that her life before her authorship was an imbalanced mixture of happiness and unexpected events. But she managed to learn lessons for misfortunes and became successful as a writer. After gaining attention as a writer, she began to indulge in social service because she was aware of her role as a celebrity. Amidst of problems, she did not try to ignore her private interest in writing because the same helped her to unleash her literary creativity. Besides, she was aware of the fact that her primary audience/readers are young children interested in fairy tales. She depended upon her imagination and led her readers to an imaginary world of magic. One can see that her family background and childhood life in the countryside helped her to deal with her life from a different angle. To be specific, she faced some personal problems, but the same did not affect her character and positive outlook on life. Besides, one can identify the positive aspects of country life in her outlook on life. On the other side, her schooling was not so problematic because she used to be in cordial with her teachers and other students. To be specific, she knew that proper education can help her to be successful in future life. She used to maintain cordial relationship with her mother and younger sister. The inspiration behind the creation of the world of Harry Potter is pretty interesting because the same flashed in her mind during a train journey. So, one can see that inborn writers cannot hide their talent for a long time. But instant stardom as a writer did not transform her into an egotistical individual because she knew that fame is a temporary status in human life. Now, she is planning to write for elders because she needs to break the public opinion that she cannot go beyond the limits of fantasy tales to entertain children. Besides, she provides ample importance to charity and social responsibility of writers. To be specific, she is ever ready to extend her helping hands towards the needy in the society. The only regret in her life is that her mother is no more to see her life as a successful and influential writer. In short, Rowling’s life is similar to her imaginary tales, with full of unexpected twists and a happy ending. Works Cited Cart, Michael. Young Adult Literature: From Romance to Realism. US: American Library Association, 2010. Print. Compson, William. J.K. Rowling. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2003. Print. Hamilton, Cheryl. Cengage Advantage Series: Essentials of Public Speaking. Stamford: Cengage Learning, 2014. Print. Hellyer, Martine. How to Write for Todays Children. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. Mattern, Joanne. J. K. Rowling. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2009. Print. Merges, Robert P. JUSTIFYING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. US: Harvard University Press, 2011. Print. Nel, Philip. JK Rowlings Harry Potter Novels: A Readers Guide. New York: A&C Black, 2001. Print. Peterson-Hilleque, Victoria. How to Analyze the Works of J. K. Rowling. Minnesota: ABDO, 2011. Print. Peterson-Hilleque, Victoria. J.K. Rowling, Extraordinary Author. Minnesota: ABDO, 2011. Print. Sexton, Colleen A. J.K. Rowling. Minneapolis: Twenty-First Century Books, 2005. Print. Sexton, Colleen A. J.K. Rowling. Minneapolis: Twenty-First Century Books, 2007. Print. Smith, Harold Ivan. Borrowed Narratives: Using Biographical and Historical Grief Narratives with the Bereaving. New York: Routledge, 2012. Print. Tussey, Deborah. Complex Copyright: Mapping the Information Ecosystem. Surrey: Ashgate Publishing, 2013. Print. Zipes, Jack. Sticks and Stones: The Troublesome Success of Childrens Literature from Slovenly Peter to Harry Potter. New York: Routledge, 2013. Print. Read More