AUTHOR AND AUTHOR FUNCTION: FOR DUMMIES

Hey everyone! In this post I am going to be tackling the difference between the author and the author function.

In Critical Theory, we've been looking at Michel Foucault's article What Is An Author? which addresses the concept of authorship and how/why it exists.

When it is put into simple terms, it is quite easy to understand the difference between author and author function. The author is the living, breathing human being that writes. (We are speaking of the author in the present tense, however the author may be dead. Or alive. Or they might not exist yet. See, this is where it gets a bit complicated...)

This is a picture of the author J.K. Rowling, the very talented woman who wrote the Harry Potter series. The idea for Harry Potter came to her while she was stuck on a train and she started writing the prolific story on a napkin because it was all she had at the moment.

Now, author function is a tad bit more complicated to explain. While the author is/was a real person, the author function is a concept that perseveres long after the author is dead and gone. In other words, the author function in the context of this example with J.K. Rowling is anything that makes up the body of her work. So, the seven Harry Potter books that she penned, minor yet related works (i.e. books that exist in the HP universe that she wrote and released in real life like Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and The Tales of Beedle the Bard), those horrific crime novels she wrote under a pseudonym (and for good reason).

More often than not, when someone is referring to Rowling they are referring to the author function and not the author. Perhaps if they are speaking of her personal life or her childhood, the person is referring to the author. However, usually when someone refers to Rowling (or any other author really...this example isn't limited to just rowling) they are using her proper name in a more generalized way, as if to say that Rowling is her work. As Foucault suggests, the text creates the author and not the other way around. So perhaps it is appropriate to refer to the author in relation to the works that they have created, as their authorship would be non-existent without the creation and preservation of their works.

J.K. Rowling is defined by her famous series and her legacy will live on through the books she has written. When she is long gone, Harry and his friends will continue to brighten the lives of those who embark on the journey of delving into his magical world.

until next time,

BYE BYE MUGGLE WORLD, HELLO HOGWARTS

Hi everyone! It finally happened. After years of fawning and flailing about whenever a commercial would come on, I laid eyes on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal for the first time and it was the most magical experience of my entire life. For a hardcore HP fan like me (circa 2000, what what), walking into a life size Diagon Alley and Hogwarts is an actual dream come true.

I wore my Platform 9 and 3/4 t-shirt (duh) that I purchased at the real King's Cross in London because it was only appropriate!

I had a nice chat with the Knight Bus driver (I call him Stan Shunpike because that is what his name is in the books but I'm not actually sure if that's who he is supposed to be or not...lol) but his shrunken head friend in the window wasn't so polite. He told me I have a big head! He's one to talk...he's only a head! And that's exactly what I told him...sure shut him up! ;)

My friend/fellow apartment mate and HP mega fan Brittany and I ate lunch at The Leaky Cauldron and it was perfection. I was so stoked about the traditional British menu because it made me felt like I was back in London :) I had the bangers and mash and it was delicious! The portion was a pretty decent size so I felt like the price was fair. Unlike at Disney where you pay ten dollars for a burger...sorry Disney, I love you but it aint worth it! And of course, I had to try the butterbeer! I got the normal non-frozen kind and it was heavenly! Towards the end of it I felt a little bit sick because it is quite sweet, but overall I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to try the frozen kind next time!

I was really naughty and not only got butterbeer, but ice cream too! The flavors at Florean Fortescue's are so funky and I just had to try some. I got chocolate chili and clotted cream, and they certainly were interesting! Brittany got the butterbeer soft serve because she's had butterbeer already and she wanted to try something new. I had a lick and it was tasty!

Brittany and I took the Hogwarts Express from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade and it was basically the raddest thing ever.

They did a fantastic job with both the platform itself and the Hogwarts Express! When I stepped foot on the train and sat down in one of the compartments, I felt like I was transported right into the books and movies. To be quite honest, I got a little bit emotional riding the Hogwarts Express because ever since I was little I've always dreamed of going to Hogwarts and in a way the physical journey between the two places made that dream a little more real.

Brittany and I rode both Escape from Gringotts and Forbidden Journey twice, and I must say that these two rides are my favorite rides ever. Sure, I'm biased because I absolutely love Harry Potter and of course I'll always have those Disney rides that are my favorites. However, Gringotts and Forbidden Journey are on a different level altogether because of sheer innovation and emotional connection. When I got off of Forbidden Journey for the first time, I was speechless and floored by what I had just experienced! Both rides are so immersive and technologically advanced, I can't wait to ride them again just so I can figure out how they work!

Sidenote: Brittany and I went into a phonebooth in the London section of Wizarding World and I found this! It's a list of all the areas in and surrounding London, and Mike's town is on the list! It made me so happy and I sent this picture to him :) His mum got a kick out of it too!

I am proud to say that I am an Annual Passholder for Universal which means I can go back (almost) anytime I want for the next year! I plan on going a lot (like a lot a lot) before I leave Florida in May so you can definitely expect more posts about Wizarding World from me! I didn't get to take nearly as many pictures as I wanted when I went the other day because it rained the whole day so next time I will take loads! Oh, and I bought an interactive Hermione wand at Ollivander's so I can't wait to cast some spells next time I am in the park :D

until next time,

#STUDYABROADSUNDAY: LONDON, ENGLAND

Hi everyone! Sorry I've been MIA the last few days, I've been super busy with school and work! But I'm back today with #StudyAbroadSunday: London Edition! One of the best things about studying in Winchester is that it's only about an hour away from London. So, obviously I seized every opportunity I had to explore this wonderful city! I probably journeyed to London about ten times in the span of three months, whether it was a day trip or the beginning of a longer trip (my friends and i flew out of gatwick a few times going to dublin and paris!) Since I made so many trips to London, this post will be a collection of photos that I took over the course of my three month stint in England :) And for all my fellow Harry Potter lovers, this post will also include my trip to Leavesden Studios, aka the studio that Harry Potter was filmed at! Let's jump right in!

Let's face it...Big Ben is essentially London's mascot. However, Big Ben is the bell inside the tower and not the clock ;)

Cue cliche picture with telephone booth because why not

My lovely buds and I in front of THE Buckingham Palace *dies*

Ah the London Eye...you are lovely to look at but WAY too expensive to ride...sigh

A beautiful view of Big Ben from Trafalgar Square...pic credit to Rachel <3

Cause you're gonna hear me roarrrrrrrrr ;)

Tower Bridge aka not London Bridge but way cooler

I found a cute little door so naturally I had to take a picture with it

I was chosen to open the doors to the Great Hall so basically the best day of my life

Ravenclaw representttttt wut wut

Password?

Bae's classroom <3

The humble Weasley abode :)

Umbridge *cringes*

Number Four Privet Drive

This Hogwarts diorama takes up an entire room!

Hope you enjoyed this installment of #StudyAbroadSunday! Comment down below and tell me if you've ever been to London/if you want to visit someday! Also let me know if you want to see more pictures from the Harry Potter studio tour, as there are more where that came from!

until next time,