Know a Spoiler? Don't Spoil it for the Rest of Us

The ubiquitous nature of the Internet has made it almost impossible not to know the ending before you want to. Spoilers seem to be everywhere, especially about hot books, television shows, and movies. Harry Potter is the most obvious current example of how spoilers abound.

For years, J.K. Rowling has begged fans not to post spoilers to ruin the enjoyment of the book for others. The official Harry Potter Web site, www.the-leaky-cauldron.org, has a policy endorsed by Rowling not to post spoilers. So when 1,200 copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows were erroneously mailed out early, Rowling predictably expressed anger at the pre-release and at reviews in papers such as the New York Times that give away details. Her press release, posted on The Leaky Cauldron, concludes "I am incredibly grateful to all those newspapers, booksellers and others who have chosen not to attempt to spoil Harry's last adventure for fans."

Spoiler Context

A spoiler is defined as a comment that discloses plot details of a book, play, video game, or film. Television series such as Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Heroes, and 24 all have cult followings where fans and critics alike post about what they think will happen, why, and where they got their information. Harry Potter fan(atic)s have been especially active in their predictions.

Sometimes it is hard to avoid finding out the ending even before the release date or initial airing, let alone after the fact. Many Internet sites post details about plot summaries, Wikipedia includes a notation "Wikipedia contains spoilers" before some entries, and book and movie reviews frequently give away key plot details. The most recent example is the July 19 New York Times review by Michiko Kakutani that provides details about what happens.

Are you an end reader?

Wikipedia has an entire talk section devoted to a discussion of spoilers. On July 18, NPR's Talk of the Nation hosted an entire segment about why people like to know the ending, or why they don't. That these two mass media outlets tackle the spoiler issue indicates that the camps of "Reading the ending first is sacrilegious" and "I like to know what happens" have very little common ground.

The back and forth between those who like to know the end (and tell others) and those who don't, invokes deep-set tension and is not limited just to Harry Potterand the Deathly Hallows. Individuals who like to know the ending - and who may or may not be addicted to spoilers - defend their desire as it's the story and not the ending that keeps them captivated. Knowing what happens allows these individuals to fully enjoy nuances along the way. But for those who prefer to let the plot unfold as it goes, looking at spoilers or deliberately seeking out the ending first is akin to unwrapping presents before a birthday party.

Spoiler Etiquette

As Mark Caro asks in his Chicago Tribune blog, "when are people allowed to discuss Harry's fate in louder than hushed tones? A day after the book comes out? A week? Two weeks?" The verdict is still out on this etiquette. For now, prefacing theories or comments with spoiler warnings, or asking the question of "have you seen the movie/read the book yet?" may have to suffice.

Until that happens, those who don't want to know may have to work a little harder to find out the ending at their own pace.

Sources:

NPR's Talk of the Nation, Reading the Last Page First

Wikipedia, WikipediaTalk: Warn Readers About SpoilersThe Leaky Cauldron

Chicago Tribune blog, Harry Potter spoilers: The literary terrorists have won

Washington Post, Spoiler Frenzy Follows Early Mailing of 'Hallows"

New York Times, An Epic Showdown as Harry Potter is Initiated into Adulthood