J K Rowling: Remus Lupin's werewolf condition is a metaphor for HIV

Rowling said Lupin allowed her to examine the attitudes towards illnesses that carry a stigma
Revelation: David Thewlis as Remus Lupin
Emma Powell8 September 2016
The Weekender

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J K Rowling has revealed Harry Potter character Remus Lupin’s werewolf condition is a metaphor for illnesses that carry a stigma.

The author compared Lupin’s lycanthropy to HIV in the “muggle” world and said the character – who was plagued by the condition – allowed her to examine the attitudes towards those with blood-bourne diseases.

Rowling made the revelation in Short Stories From Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship, and Dangerous Hobbies – one of three new Hogwarts e-books which were released earlier this month.

“Lupin’s condition of lycanthropy was a metaphor for those illnesses that carry a stigma, like HIV and AIDS,” Rowling wrote.

“All kinds of superstitions seem to surround blood-borne conditions, probably due to taboos surrounding blood itself.

“The wizarding community is as prone to hysteria and prejudice as the Muggle one, and the character of Lupin gave me a chance to examine those attitudes.”

Remus – who was played by David Thewlis in the films – was often shunned by members of the wizarding world because of his condition which he was afflicted with after werewolf Fenrir Greyback got revenge against Lupin’s father Lyall.

Rowling’s comments come a day after she appeared to confirm that Sirius Black – Lupin’s close friend – is heterosexual.

Harry Potter And The Cursed Child opening

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The author said she was subjected to a “ton of abuse” as the #JKRowlingIsOverParty hashtag started trending on Twitter and some users branded her a “homophobe”.

Rowling stoked controversy after she posted a set of answers to questions in her Twitter bio - one of which some Potter fans assumed to be about Black's sexuality.

She later removed the bio and posted: “Never, ever be flippant in your Twitter bio. No good can come of it.”

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