Présentation infographique

FANDOM STUDIES

Through Fandom LensES:

Tracing shifting perceptions on Remus and Sirius Among MARAUDERS Fans

quantitative survey conducted online 21.11.2023 - 20.12.2023

INDEX

Index

3. impacts on perceptions

1. Profiles of respondents

Method used

Marauder / Wolfstar

Age Gender LGBT

Hypothesis

Fan Profiles

Canon / Fanon

2. OVERALL PERCEPTIONS

4. conclusions and limits

Main findings

Sirius Black

Remus Lupin

Limits

Further Verbatims

Comparison

Participants

299 people took the survey.

The sample showcases diversity across age, gender, and sexual orientation spectrums, providing a comprehensive array of perspectives that contribute to a holistic understanding of how Remus Lupin and Sirius Black are perceived and interpreted within the Harry Potter fandom.

70%

67%

identify as a part of the LGBT+ community

34%

are 26 to 35 years old

are women

299 people took the survey.

Participants

The sample also displays a broad spectrum of fan profiles, highlighting diverse fan experiences within the Harry Potter fandom.

52%

48%

joined the marauders fandom in 2020-2022

35%

identify more with remus lupin

joined because of the original books

Others consider themselves :

Marauders VS WOLFSTAR ?

• both a Marauders and Wolfstar Fan, not one more than the other (6%)

• a fan of another pairing e.g. Jily, Prongsfoot, Jegulus, Poly/quad (sometimes in addition to Wolfstar) (4%)
• a fan of a specific character (Remus, Sirius, the Golden Trio, the Black family, the whole Marauder Generation)
• a fan of HP in general (1%)

46%

40%

consider themselves more of a wolfstar fan

consider themselves more of a marauders fan

Percentage of respondents considering themselves more of a marauders or a wolfstar fan, when asked to chose between the two options

Impact of demographics on this repartition

Impact of demographics on this repartition

Impact of fan profiles on this repartition

The sample is pretty balanced between the two profiles, which may enable to later pinpoint trends specifics to the Wolfstar community.

Familiarity with canon/Fanon works

Percentage of respondents having read or watched works that are seen as references for the fandom

80%

Impact of MARAUDERS/WOLFSTAR SELF PERCEPTION

Despite a significative number of respondents having joined the fandom because of fanworks, there's a shared knowledge of canon material. Interestingly, the ATYD fanfiction has been read by more than half of the participants.

Impact of SENIORITY IN THE FANDOM

of respondents have read and watched all canon material

Exploring Multifaceted Fan Views on

Remus Lupin

Canon Facts

defining traits

sexuality

gender

cANON FACTS

• Werewolf: bitten by a werewolf as a child, struggling with his condition
• Friendship with the Marauders: shares a close bond with James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew
• Job : Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts for one year, often changes job due to his condition
• Member of the Order of the Phoenix
• Husband and Father: He marries Nymphadora Tonks and becomes a father to Teddy Lupin.

Full Name: Remus John Lupin Date of Birth: March 10, 1960 Book Appearances: introduced in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and continues to play significant roles in subsequent books, including "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

R. J. Lupin

CleverComplexKindUnderstandingSolitaryCaringLoyal

Defining Traits

What Remus Lupin is

Adjectives that more than 90 % of the respondents associate totally or somewhat with the character

Percentage of respondents views on remus lupin when presented with a list of adjectives

TalentedFunnyProtectiveSensitiveBraveDetermined

Adjectives that 70 % to 90 % of the respondents associate totally or somewhat with the character

ymmv

Adjectives on which there's no clear consensus regarding the way the respondents view the character

AttractiveSoftCharmingCharismaticFragile

TallInstinctiveSelflessBalancedPRETTY

• Defining Positive Traits: There's a consensus on several positive traits associated with Remus, such as complexity, cleverness, kindness, and loyalty.
• Rejection of Negative Traits: Negative traits like violence or danger are overwhelmingly rejected, highlighting a clear divergence from Remus's character as perceived by the respondents.

• Mixed Perceptions: Some traits, especially those related to bravery, determination, and physical attributes, have a lower association rate, indicating differing views among respondents regarding Remus.

RecklessPhysicalDangerousIntimidatingImpulsiveViolent

What R.J. Lupin is not

Rebellious

Adjectives that less than 40 % of the respondents associate totally or somewhat with the character

Defining Traits

Detailed results

50% of respondents

Gender Identity

Percentage of respondents depending on the way they see REMUS LUPIN'sgender identity in canon

• Masculine Perception Dominates: A significant majority of respondents perceive Remus Lupin as having masculine qualities, which would fit with him aligning with conventional gender norms. However, he's not perceived as very masculine, only "quite masculine", or balanced / androgynous : this might hint at a character who embodies traits from across the gender spectrum, not fitting into a traditionnal, rigid masculine or feminine mold.

• Some respondents describe him as embodying an ambiguity regarding gender, a softer masculinity in a way, or consider that Remus might not actively engage with or strongly identify with any particular gender expression.

67%

see Remus Lupin as Masculine

Sexuality

Percentage of respondents views on Remus Lupin'ssexuality in canon

• Bisexual Interpretation: A majority of respondents (57%) view Remus as bisexual, indicating an attraction to multiple genders. This interpretation acknowledges his canonical relationship with Tonks while allowing for the possibility of other attractions.

• Alternative Interpretations : A significant portion (23%) perceives Remus as gay, despite his canonical marriage to Tonks. A smaller number of respondents have suggested spontaneously other options : his sexuality having evolved over time (sometimes in relation with his inner struggle regarding his werewolf identity), a queer/gay but closeted interpretation, or a clear decision to overlook the authorial intent (assumed heterosexuality) and advocate for reader interpretation.

87%

don't seE REMUS LUPIN as heterosexual

Exploring Multifaceted Fan Views on

Sirius Black

Canon Facts

defining traits

sexuality

gender identity

cANON FACTS

• Animagus: became an uregistered Animagus at 15 y.o. to help his friend Remus Lupin
• Friendship with the Marauders: shares a close bond with James Potter, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew

• Disowned Heir : Member of the Black Family, left their house at 16 y.o.
• Member of the Order of the Phoenix
• Single: Has no known romantical relationship in the books
• Godfather : To the son of James Potter.

Full Name: Sirius Black Date of Birth: November 3, 1959 Book Appearances: introduced in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and continues to play significant roles in subsequent books, including "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

S. BLACK

AttractiveLoyalComplexTalentedCharmingImpulsiveFunny

BraveDeterminedRebelliousProtectiveCharismaticRecklessClever

Defining Traits

What Sirius Black is

Adjectives that more than 90 % of the respondents associate totally or somewhat with the character

Caring

Percentage of respondents views on Sirius Black when presented with a list of adjectives

InstinctivePrettyTallIntimidatingSelflessPhysicalKind

Adjectives that 70 % to 90 % of the respondents associate totally or somewhat with the character

ymmv

Adjectives on which there's no clear consensus regarding the way the respondents view the character

• Defining Positive Traits: a vast majority of respondents strongly associating specific qualities with him : being brave, attractive, determined, and loyal. Being rebellious, complex, and protective is also strongly linked to his character.
• Rejection of Softer Traits: there's a clear division in perceptions regarding traits like being sensitive, understanding, fragile, or solitary, with fewer respondents associating these aspects with his character.

• Mixed Perceptions: there's a range in perceptions of his selflessness, physical appearance, kindness, and danger potential. But it's worth noting that there's more consensus on his portrayal than regarding Remus.

DangerousSensitiveViolentUnderstandingFragile

SoftSolitaryBalanced

What S. BLACK is not

Adjectives that less than 40 % of the respondents associate totally or somewhat with the character

Defining Traits

Detailed results

50% of respondents

Gender Identity

Percentage of respondents depending on the way they see Sirius Black'sgender identity in canon

• Masculine or Balanced Gender Identity : The data reflects a broad spectrum of interpretations, ranging from a predominantly masculine perception to a more balanced or androgynous identity, with a minority associating Sirius with femininity.
• Lesser Feminine Identity : A smaller portion views Sirius as "Quite Feminine" or "Very Feminine".

• Some respondents offer other options, highlighting a fluidity in Sirius' Gender Identity, or describing it as masculinity with a twist, unconventional or open to experimenting with some traditionnally feminine attire or behaviours.

56%

see sirius black as Masculine

Sexuality

Percentage of respondents depending on the way they see Sirius Black'ssexuality in canon

• These data show a varied interpretation of Sirius Black's sexual orientation within the fan community, with a strong inclination towards perceiving him as gay or bisexual in the context of the canon

• Several respondents underlined the lack of canon information regarding Sirius's sexual orientation, leaving room for interpretation, leading to uncertainety on this subject or straight out deciding that even though the author probably imagined him as heterosexual, the respondent considers them gay or bisexual (based on personal preferences or subtext).

91%

don't see sirius black as heterosexual

COMPARISON

Additional comments left by respondents, on a subject of their choice

Verbatims

When looking at these characters especially we should acknowledge that they went though SO much change.

I think remus is a duality since he has a wolf as well.

As a longtime fan of the books, it's been amusing to see fandom depictions of Remus & Sirius change over time

Further discussion

FANON VS CANON

SHipping

Further discussion

Other

Gender

Evaluating

FACTORS IMPACTING PERCEPTIONS

METHOD

Hypothesis

method used

The perceptions of each character are not uniform. They vary from one respondent to another. CHI2 TESTS WERE USED TO DETERMINE IF A RELATION EXISTS BETWEEN TWO ELEMENTS.

No significant relation between the two

QUESTION A

No established link.

Is there a link between the two?

There might be some link, but it's not convincing. It could happen by chance.

Remus being perceived as kind

low significant relation between the two

CHI2 test

Do people older than 30 y.o. tend to more often view Remus as kind ?

There's a clear connection and it's not just luck.

QUESTION b

significant relation between the two

The age of the respondent

There's a strong connection and it's not a coincidence.

very significant relation between the two

the distribution of responses CAN DIFFER despite a low or non-significant relationship

The following presentation will focus only on ESTABLISHED significant or very significant relations.

Correlation is not causality!!

Hypothesis

based on the results collected, several hypothesis were looked into, to explore the factors that have an impact on how the characters of remus and sirius are perceived;

have THE PERCEPTIONS OF THESE CHARACTERS EVOLVEd OVER TIME?

DO THEY vary depending on RESPONDANTS' identities?

DO THesE PERCEPTIONS vary depending on fans' interests?

--> Gender --> LGBT Identity --> Identification with RL or SB

--> Marauder VS Wolfstar fans --> Prompt to join fandom --> ATYD readership

--> Time spent in the forum

Time spent in the fandom

Sirius

Remus

Significant or Very Significant Link with 3 adjectives

Significant or Very Significant Link with 7 adjectives

DEFINING TRAITS

Gender Identity

Very Significant Relation

No Significant Relation

No Significant Relation

sexuality

Significant Relation

Time spent in the fandom

VS DEFINING TRAITS

Remus

more likely to associate physical traits with Remus

more likely to perceive Remus as tall and protective

more likely to see Remus as sensitive

• The perception of certain traits is indeed influenced by when individuals joined the Marauders fandom, suggesting a shift or evolution in how fans interpret and characterize these beloved characters over time.

more likely to see him as determined

more likely to see him as determined

more likely to find him attractive and selfless

COMParison earlier / LATER FANS

Sirius

more likely to associate physical traits with Sirius

more likely to see Sirius as being pretty / soft

SIRIUS

Remus

This year

This year

When PoA was first published

When PoA was first published

Time spent in the fandom

VS Gender Identity

Remus

• Unlike Remus, the perception of Sirius's gender expression does show a significant relationship with the time of joining the Marauders fandom.
• Fans that joined the fandom when PoA was first published are much more likely to perceive him as very masculine.
• His gender identity moved over time, shifting towards Balanced / Androgynous.

Sirius

Time spent in the fandom

VS Sexuality

Remus

• The perception of Remus's sexuality varies significantly depending on the time of joining the fandom, indicating evolving interpretations of his character's sexual orientation. He goes from mixed perceptions to being predominantly perceived as bisexual.

• In contrast, the perception of Sirius's sexuality remains relatively stable across different periods, with no significant relationship found with the time of joining the fandom.

Sirius

fanS' interests

Sirius

Remus

ATYD READERSHIP

PROMPT TO JOIN FANDOM

MARAUDER VS WOLFSTAR FAN

ATYD READERSHIP

PROMPT TO JOIN FANDOM

MARAUDER VS WOLFSTAR FAN

Significant or Very Significant Link with

Significant or Very Significant Link with

DEFINING TRAITS

13 adjectives

6 adjectives

10 adjectives

2 adjectives

15 adjectives

7 adjectives

No Significant Relation

No Significant Relation

Very Significant Relation

Very Significant Relation

Very Significant Relation

Gender Identity

Significant Relation

Very Significant Relation

Very Significant Relation

Very Significant Relation

Very Significant Relation

Very Significant Relation

Very Significant Relation

sexuality

alignement

is more likely to perceive

is more likely to perceive

Remus as

Remus as

clever

understanding

impulsive

reckless

• Findings suggest that fans' alignement within the fandom (whether they align more with the Marauders or Wolfstar) is associated with their perception of certain traits in Remus.

selfless

fragile

balanced/androgynous

gay

heterosexual

Sirius as

Sirius as

COMParison of adjectives

impulsive

balanced

COMParison of GENDER & sexuality

heterosexual

gay

SIRIUS

Remus

more of a Wolfstar Fan

more of a Wolfstar Fan

more of a Marauders Fan

more of a Marauders Fan

SIRIUS

Remus

more of a Wolfstar Fan

more of a Wolfstar Fan

more of a Marauders Fan

more of a Marauders Fan

prompt to join fandom

is more likely to perceive

is more likely to perceive

Remus as

Remus as

Brave / Selfless / CaringAttractive / Determined / ProtectiveInstinctive / Intimidating / CharmingLoyal / Pretty / Tall / Physical

• The source material prompting to join the fandom significantly influences how respondents perceive various traits.
• The impact on the perception of traits can depend on the specific narratives presented in fanworks. Some fanfictions may emphasize positive or negative traits for dramatic effect, character development, or exploring alternative aspects of the characters.

bisexual

Quite Masculine

heterosexual

Sirius as

Sirius as

COMParison of adjectives

Fragile / Talented / InstinctiveIntimidating / Clever / DangerousLoyal / Soft / Pretty / Tall

COMParison of GENDER & sexuality

Very / Quite Masculine

Gay / bisexual

Balanced / Androgynous

heterosexual

SIRIUS

Remus

joined because of fanworks

joined because of fanworks

joined because of the original books

joined because of the original books

SIRIUS

Remus

joined because of fanworks

joined because of fanworks

joined because of the original books

joined because of the original books

atyd

is more likely to perceive

is more likely to perceive

Remus as

Remus as

Brave / Selfless / Caring / Tall Attractive / Determined / Rebellious Protective / Complex / Instinctive Intimidating / Clever / Funny / Loyal

Fragile

• ATYD readership seems to have a relation with the way both characters are perceived, especially Remus Lupin, with many reinforced traits on his side : bravery, selflessness, protectiveness, loyalty, cleverness...

bisexual / gay

heterosexual

Sirius as

Sirius as

COMParison of adjectives

Fragile / Impulsive / Sensitive

Balanced / Intimidating / Solitary

COMParison of GENDER & sexuality

Balanced / Androgynous

Very Masculine

Gay

heterosexual / bisexual

SIRIUS

Remus

ATYD Readers

ATYD ReadeRS

Non-readers

Non-readers

SIRIUS

Remus

ATYD Readers

ATYD Readers

Non-ATYD Readers

Non-ATYD Readers

respondents' profiles

Sirius

Remus

character identification

lgbtqia=

gender

Character identification

lgbtqia=

Gender

Significant or Very Significant Link with

Significant or Very Significant Link with

DEFINING TRAITS

6 adjectives

7 adjectives

1 adjectives

6 adjectives

16 adjectives

7 adjectives

Very Significant Relation

No Significant Relation

Low Significant Relation

No Significant Relation

No Significant Relation

Very Significant Relation

Gender Identity

Very Significant Relation

No Significant Relation

Very Significant Relation

Very Significant Relation

No Significant Relation

No Significant Relation

sexuality

Gender

is more likely to perceive

is more likely to perceive

is more likely to perceive

Remus as

Remus as

• Compared to other factors, gender identities doesn't seem to have such a strong relation with how both characters are perceived, though some differences can be observed depending on the gender identity of the respondent.
• Despite low relation observed through the Chi2 tests, there are some differences in how respondents view the characters depending on their gender.

Solitary / KindClever / LoyalCharming

Understanding ProtectiveCharming

Sirius as

Sirius as

Sirius as

COMParison of adjectives

Intimidating Charming

Complex Talented

Kind

COMParison of GENDER & sexuality

Balanced / Androgynous

Very Masculine

Remus

SIRIUS

SIRIUS

Remus

Man

Woman

Non-binary

Man

Woman

Non-binary

LGBT

is more likely to perceive

is more likely to perceive

Remus as

Remus as

Kind / Pretty / Tall Intimidating / Clever

Fragile

• Self-identification with the LGBT community does seem to have a link with how the characters are viewd, though in a more limited way compared to other factors.
• Most notably, it seems that respondents are more likely to see the characters through their own life experience.

gay

heterosexual

Sirius as

Sirius as

COMParison of adjectives

Pretty / Sensitive

Intimidating / Solitary

COMParison of GENDER & sexuality

Balanced / Androgynous

Very Masculine

Gay / bisexual

heterosexual

SIRIUS

Remus

ATYD Readers

ATYD ReadeRS

Non-readers

Non-readers

SIRIUS

Remus

Not Identifying with the LGBT community

Identifying with the LGBT community

Not Identifying with the LGBT community

Identifying with the LGBT community

Gender

is more likely to perceive

is more likely to perceive

is more likely to perceive

Remus as

Remus as

• A proximity with a character, to the point of being able that the respondent most identifies with him, seems to reinforce the perception of some traits, especially in the case of Remus Lupin.

Tall / Intimidating / Brave / Selfless / Caring / Attractive / Rebellious / Protective / Talented / Pretty / Kind / Clever / Funny / Charming / Loyal

Charismatic

Gay

Bisexual / Heterosexual

Heterosexual

Sirius as

Sirius as

Sirius as

COMParison of adjectives

Understanding / Solitary / Protective / Clever / Dangerous / Soft

Protective / Balanced

COMParison of GENDER & sexuality

Very Masculine / Very feminine

Quite Masculine

Balanced / Androgynous

Remus

SIRIUS

SIRIUS

Remus

Identifying with Remus

Identifying with none / other

Identifying with Sirius

Identifying with Remus

Identifying with none / other

Identifying with Sirius

RL & sb perception survey

Main Findings

conclusions

limits

Conclusion

Brave – Attractive – Determined – Loyal Rebellious – Complex – Protective Talented – Charismatic – Charming Reckless – Impulsive – Clever – Funny Caring - Tough – Sociable - Unstable Gay

Clever - Complex - Kind Understanding - Solitary - Caring Loyal - Cautious - Cerebral - Gentle Harmless - Friendly - Thoughtful Quite Masculine - Bisexual

based on the results collected, there is a shared perception on these characters.

These perceptions vary in relation to a number of factors, to a different degree :

--> The following graph sums up how many items (adjectives, gender and sexuality perception) each factor shares a Significant or Very Significant Relation with, based on Chi2 tests.

Limits and perspectives

self-critic and questions yet to solve

Survey Related

Analysis

Participants

Adjectives Chosen

less featured profiles

Mechanisms at work

real impact of atyd

info on respondents

sample bias

Representation of Less-Represented Profiles: certain profiles of respondents are underrepresented in the survey results ; while it says something on the specifics of the Marauders Fandom, examining the perspectives of these less-represented groups could provide valuable insights into how different demographics perceive the characters. Furthermore, given that statistical analysis comes with a margin of error, which increases when the sample size is small, with fewer data points for a particular profile, it's harder to be confident that the results truly represent that group. A bigger sample size could help reduce the error margin, even for some less represented profiles.

• Love fics where they are portrayed as complex
• I chose one of the more recent options for when I joined the Marauders fandom, but I've been a Harry Potter fan off and on since elementary school - which for me was when the books were still coming out. It's only my interest in the Marauders era that is new.
• I have always been a Wolfstar shipper since I first got into HP fanfic around 2006, I have also always been into the Marauders era, but my love for it was rekindled ten fold when I discovered The Dandy Lyon Club on YouTube earlier this year.
• I am a regulus black kinnie but slightly more chaotic.
• Nothing else to share :)
• Good luck on your survey
• have a great day <3
• Cool survey, excited to see the results!
• This quiz was a very intersting perspective, and im eager to see the results if/when you share themthis was really fun! thanks!
• have a nice day :)
• Loved this! Very excited to see the results and what analysis you can pull from it!
• An option for when I haven't made up my mind about a trait would have been nice. Other than that, thanks for the fun survey & good luck with your research!
• hello
• This is an awesome survey! I only wished it was longer!
• i think you did an awesome job on this form, its been super interesting to think about!!
• This was fun! Thanks!
• No
• Nah
• I'm feeling very stereotypical rn lmao
• No

Fan profiles don't seem to have much impact on whether one considers themself more of a Marauders or Wolfstar fan. The Chi2 test shows that there might not be sufficient evidence to believe that it has something to do with the time someone joined the Harry Potter fandom. Similarily, there doesn't seem to be a strong correlation with the reasons prompting entry into the fandom (official books, movies, fanworks). However, the Chi2 test shows a strong link with the identification towards one of the characters, and the fact that one considers themselves more of a Marauders or Wolfstar fan :

• Respondents identifying strongly with Remus are more inclined towards the Wolfstar fandom
• Those identifying with neither Remus nor Sirius, or identifying with other characters tend to lean more towards the Marauders fandom.

• I don't ship wolfstar at all
• Wolfstar fan 100%. Only a Marauders fan as far as Wolfstar related and the fact that I identified with that era/older characters in the series and not the children.
• I ship Wolfstar but also Pronsfoot halpp
• Wolfstar is CANON! and that is coming from a person who is straight as an arrow lmaoooo
• i really don’t get why wolf star is such a big thing. it just doesn’t make sense from the books
• Wolfstar🔛🔝
• Wolfstar is the death of Sirius’ personality and characterisation. If he’s in love with anyone, it can only be James.
• They're so soft for each other
• Thanks for looking at the data! Otp: 40 line stare ❤️
• i’ve read (and enjoyed) some wolfstar fics but considering canon events i think their relationship would be very toxic.
• I don't ship wolfstar. I like reading fanfics of them but i don't ship them canonically. Friendships > relationships when it comes to the marauders, i believe friendships can be just as special and powerful as relationships
• wolfstar fo life
• I find wolfstar shipping dynamic to be fascinating in terms of the difference between Western fandom and Asian fandom. I came from 2000s asian fandom, back then asian fandom and Western fandom is kinda separated since the internet wasn't as globally connected as how it is today. At least where I'm from wolfstar ship became popular first in Japan and then spread to my country. We would call it SiriLu (Japanese ship naming system - top's name followed by bottom's name) meaning it's !top Sirius and !bottom remus. This is why if you see wolfstar fanart from Asian artists they often depict more feminine & pretty Remus. Now imagine my surprise when I started to understand English and seek out western wolfstar fandom to find that Western side prefers the reverse dynamic with !top Remus and !bottom Sirius haha. Just though it would be an interesting a fun observations to share!
• I don't support Wolfstar. I don't think they're compatible in the least. I think that all the murauders were in love with/had a crush on James. From both a cannonical and fannonical view, this seems to be the only option. I believe Prongsfoot. If I'd have to put Remus with anyone; it'd be Lily. I'd go with Regulus, but both of them would refuse to get together with the other; so there seems to be little other option but Lily.
• I've received so much harassment from ATYD fanon fans that I no longer enjoy shipping Wolfstar. The OOC self-insert Marauders characters have pushed me out of the fandom.
• If there are people who have only read atyd...please read the books. Please don't be mean to other ships just because your ship is big and popular. If you read the books you will see your ship is not so clear-cut and that the personalities of the characters might be different. So please be respectful and stop attacking others and acting like your ship is the only one and the only reason people like Marauders.

• "I'm blatantly biased and obviously like Sirius better. Wolfstar is not my primary ship these days, I dabble in a lot and I enjoy nearly every pairing under the sun but I, surprise, surprise, hugely favour the ones featuring Sirius. Prongsfoot has been a huge one, so has Sirius and Regulus's relationship. No Remus in sight. Also for very nearly every single one of the traits questions I feel the need to explain my choice and, more importantly I think, my understanding of the trait. Like ""selfless"" for Sirius. Yes, totally, if he has to die to keep a loved one alive. No, not at all, if he has to let a loved one die to save hundreds of people he doesn't know. u feel me "

• I think remus is a duality since he has a wolf as well. Kind of base him on star trek joined trill (host remus/symbiont moon).
• I think Remus's has more of a self preservation instinct while Sirius will risk everything to help someone he loves
• I think my answers for Sirius-- some of them James and remus are exception (caring, loyal etc) whereas with "general population"
• "A lot of the idea about Remus and Sirius doesn't take into account how young they are/were and they lived during war practically it seems. I view them as brothers. It's only odd because we don't see them with Peter or James to round each other out. Prisoner is spelled wrong when asking about books I've read. "

• Sirius was the tallest of their friend group.
• It was a bit hard to rate the personality traits because e.g. Remus is brave in the typical Gryffindor sense of the word, like he will fight for a good cause and protect people etc. but he runs away from his personal responsibilities and is a coward when it comes to admitting his own mistakes and he’s a total people pleaser. Similarly, Sirius is reckless when he’s blinded by his anger towards Peter and he’s very unstable after Azkaban but normally he’s a very a sensible and rational person. So really, these all depend.
• When looking at these characters especially we should acknowledge that they went though SO much change. When they were younger I think Remus was shy and very closed off when Sirius was very much a people person who went through a phase where ha was an ass before he grew and learned better. I think these questions are quite hard to truly depict these characters but I enjoyed it regardless:) also personally most identify with James Potter xx

• The fanfic Riders have done more for these characters than JK Rowling could ever even imagine, I think there's so much variance in them and they're so popular because people can find the parts they connect to and develop those. Also I hate canon stories, I avoided wolfstar for a long time because I think it makes the canon that much sadder but I settled on just avoiding the canon, the fanfics are better anyway.
• The current marauders fanon bears no resemblance to actual Remus and Sirius and I hate everything about it
• I see some fanon representation of Sirius to be more feminine/gender neutral but cannon Sirius has a more masculine energy.
• I’m really hoping you’ll share the results of the quiz on Reddit as well- I’m interested to see how many of the results line up with the canon, vs. ATYD (because I imagine the ATYD fandom will really skew the results), and the wolfstar fandom
• Fanon Sirius and Remus are so far from their canon depictions. And often wolfstar shippers sacrifice Sirius best traits to give away to Remus or rid them and leave only his bad to raise up Remus. It's very unbalanced.
• Not only do i not consider myself part of the Harry Potter fandom, I actually really hate the books and mostly read content that either differs from the main plot of the books or outright avoids it.
• I see them as canonically being in a relationship between end of GoF and end of OotP.
• I much prefer the canon characters to what lots of the fanon make of them. In turn I like very specific works.
• Book canon is the only real canon
• Popular Marauders fanon these days is VERY far removed from the actual characters – the depictions are often so out of character to the point of turning them into OCs, especially Remus and Sirius. (And James, tbh. The idea that he would ever be romantically interested in a Death Eater is completely deranged and so disappointing for us folks who actually understand and appreciate his character.) ATYD has done so much damage to the fandom. I find that the Jily authors are (for the most part) the only ones who have stayed true to the characters and don't ever seem to venture into the ridiculous out of character territory that other parts of the fandom suffer from.
• I read a lot of old fanfics in this fandom, and i can say that i prefer that characterization so much more. In way it’s more complicated. I absolutely hate the new style of making all characters simple and completely opposite from that they originally in the books. They just loose their identity, so sometimes instead of marauders fic, you reading a story with “original” characters just in hp setting. All left of them is just their names. I don’t mind hc, cause we obviously don’t know all the bio, but then it’s changing the whole lore, it makes me a little insane.
• I feel like I’ve really gained access to the complexity of the fandom by reading atyd honestly
• im younger than 20 (19) but ive been in the wolfstar/marauders fandom much longer than most ppl my age have (i didn't come to the fandom through tiktok or the pandemic), so i think i have a much different perspective on these characters bc of that. (or, i was a wolfstar/marauders fan before atyd took over the fandom lol)
• So curious for these results! As a longtime fan of the books, it's been amusing to see fandom depictions of Remus & Sirius change over time, especially to the point where Remus is the tall, grouchy one and Sirius is shorter & softer. I'm currently re-reading OotP and Remus is polite & patient while Sirius is ready to bite a few heads off. ;) Thanks for doing the survey!

• Premise: In 2023, discussions emerged within various Reddit communities, sparking conversations about the evolving perceptions of characters Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. The hypothesis suggests that these character portrayals have undergone significant shifts in recent years, potentially influenced by prominent fan-created content, particularly the widespread impact of fanfiction such as "All The Young Dudes." These discussions also highlighted the transference of specific character traits from one individual to the other.This study aims to offer an objective examination of these perceived changes and aims to determine the credibility of these observations.

• Methodology: A structured quantitative questionnaire was created and published online through Google Forms. To safeguard respondent anonymity and privacy, the questionnaire gathered non-sensitive data including demographic details such as age, gender, and connections to the LGBTQ+ community, but no personnal data such as email or name. Additionally, the questionnaire explored the respondent's engagement with the fandom, including when they became a part of it, their alignement and profile as a fan, and any specific character identification.The main section of the questionnaire involved associating a list of approximately thirty adjectives with the characters of Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. Respondents were asked to indicate the degree to which each adjective applied to the characters (ranging from a complete association to no association at all). Furthermore, the survey inquired about the respondent's perception of the characters' sexuality and gender.

• Studied Population: The questionnaire was distributed across two Reddit communities known for their fervent interest in these characters: MaraudersGen (2225 members) and Wolfstar (6039 members). It's noteworthy that respondents may have been part of both communities. It's also worth noting that membership isn't necessary to access these communities' posts (the audience could thus surpass the membership base). Finally, the counted members might not all be active. Hence, the study assumed representation from an estimated 8264 members, acknowledging possible variations in the audience reach beyond the membership count.
• Data Collection Timeline: The survey was available online and participation was voluntary. A total of 299 responses were gathered over the course of November 21st to December 20th, 2023. Considering the size of the studied population and a 95% confidence level, the margin of error was calculated to be approximately 7%.

Influence of ATYD on character perceptions: Amongst hypothesis discussed online is the impact of ATYD on the perceptions of Remus and Sirius. The present study tried to look into that but... what is the real influence of ATYD on these characters? We chose to study this subject through the lens of fanfiction readership, asking respondents if they read this text, but in reality, the impact it might have on mental constructions is further disseminated through the sharing of fanarts and videos based on ATYD. Respondents'imaginaries and perceptions of the characters might have been shaped by this fanfiction, even without the fan being aware of it.

The fact that participants consider themselves more of a Marauders fan or more of a Wolfstar fan does not seem related to the exposition to canon material, book or movies.

One can't help but note, however, a much higher number of participants amongst the ones considering themselves as more of a Wolfstar fan, that have read the All The Young Dudes (+15pts // self identified Marauders fans). A similar phenomenom can be observed regarding The ShoeBox Project (+21 pts // self identified Marauders fans). These higher numbers make sense given the interests of the fans. It is interesting to note that the All The Young Dudes have been read by more than half of the respondents that consider themselves for of Marauders fans than Wolfstar fans. Several verbatims, though, mention trying it out but not necessarily liking it.

"i could yap about them for so long lmfao so this might b a long paragraph so feel free to infinite thisanyway i feel like i have many different versions of both of them in my head?? like if we base it off of canon then canonically sirius is the taller , more masculine one where as in fanon he is like the more fem one?? but honestly i don’t rlly see them as a gendered masc and fem?? if that makes sense like they just exist like they r fluid ? not as much remus but i feel like sirius is both masculine and feminine all at once?? i also really don’t like the whole soft boy remus thingy idk 🤷i feel like they are both very complex charectors and u can’t rlly define them into set roles yk??and i feel like a lot of people like to portray queer ships as still having one person okay the women and the other the man if that makes sense?? like one character will be portrayed as sensitive and dress feminine and be short or whatever and the other will be tall and masculine and all that, anyway i just hate when people do that with wolfstar bc they aren’t a stereotypical ideal of a man and a women and i don’t like when people try to box them as that idk i’m rambling nowALSO i don’t see one of them as being short like in my view of them they r both very tall ass guys loli think my favourite portrayal of remus and Sirius’s will always be atyd bc i feel like it is just so them like maybe bc it’s the first fanfic i read when getting into the fandom but something about it is just idk like it just makes sense the way they are portrayed / writtenanyway i need to stop rambling because this is probably just sounding like writings of a drunk but i could genuinely talk about them for hours hah, and sorry for writing so much i love to yap and sometimes i go overboard lol"

Sample issues : several subjects can be discussed, in relation with the sample of the survey :

• Sampling Bias: the potential sampling bias in the data collection process needs to be taken into account, as respondents were recruited through specific Reddit communities, leading to a petentially biased sample that may not be representative of the broader fan base : english speaking fans, specific demographics of the Reddit platform…
• Impact of the perimeter : Would we encounter the same results if we asked the same questions to Harry Potter fans outside the Marauders community? Given the recent labeling of the Marauders community as LGBT, which is also reflected in the respondent profiles. Would we observe similar evolutions if we focused on fans of characters such as Severus, Regulus, Harry, Hermione, or Ron?

Mechanisms at work : could these shifting views simply illustrate that society has changed and no longer regards fictional works in the same way, now expecting diversity in terms of gender or sexual orientation among characters? Is it now easier for new generations to embrace identities that are not purely cisgender and heterosexual? And, allowed to embrace this variety, is this evolution in how characters are considered merely a logical consequence (seeking media representation that mirrors our own identities for identification)? Or is it the other way around, a very popular fanfiction work shaping durably the perception of these characters?

• A significant majority of 51.84% identifies with Remus, indicating a strong resonance with his character traits, struggles, or values within the fan community.
• This repartition has been steady over the years, with fans identifying more with Remus than Sirius. A slow decline can yet be observed over time, while the proportion of fans identifying with Sirius Black remains the same.

Amongst other options suggested spontaneously are :

• Aromantic allosexual ; Asexual or on the Ace spectrum (x11) ; Demisexual, 4 on the Kinsey scale (x4) ; Graysexual ;
• Queer ; Pan (x3) ; hole is a hole, I don't think he cares (x2) ;
• Sirius having platonic/unrequited romantic feelings for James (x2) ; Remus sexual ;
• Straight in the 60s style, could have fooled around with boys at school for example ;
• Tbh I don’t super regard him as having a sexual preference in canon?? Much less so than Remus.

• The high number of women in the sample seem quite coherent with the general gender demographics of the Harry Potter fandom. (see, for example, this reddit conversation : https://www.reddit.com/r/harrypotter/comments/1502le/just_curious_if_harry_potter_fans_are_mostly_male/ )
• While the percentage of men remains quite low, it must be noted that the percentage of women and Non-Binary, Genderqueer or Genderfluid participants varies depending on the age range, from 6,67% to 18%. The sample group represents diverse gender identities, potentially contributing to unique and nuanced interpretations.
• Also, please note that the form first mentionned female/male rather than woman/man. Thanks to a respondent that pointed out the wrong term used, this was corrected within the first two hours of data collection and affected only six answers. "Female" answers were counted as "woman" and "male" as "man".

The person conducting the study:I am a soon-to-be 40-year-old French woman. I completed a scientific baccalaureate with a focus on mathematics before pursuing studies at a business school, specializing in International Marketing. Subsequently, I entered the world of culture, working for French museums. Currently, I am responsible for visitor studies in my institution and have experience conducting quantitative surveys.Regarding the fandom, my passion for the Marauders characters ignited after reading "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," just days after accompanying my younger sister to the cinema to watch "The Chamber of Secrets." At that time, I was a young adult and naturally found myself more connected to the adult characters than the Trio. I subsequently read the 5th, 6th, and 7th books in the series as they were released in English.I primarily identify with Remus and am a fan of Wolfstar. However, I have yet to read "All The Young Dudes," and there are no immediate plans to do so. While I rarely read fanfiction now (despite having read a lot upon entering the fandom), and I no longer write fanfiction (though I wrote a few in the past), I maintain a strong connection with these characters through online roleplay on forums. And on a related note... a big thank you to Emilie, my partner in crime. You truly are the Padfoot to my Moony.

Analysis with Sphinx iQ using Chi-squared TestsThe collected responses were subjected to analysis utilizing a statistical method called Chi-squared (χ²) tests, facilitated by Sphinx iQ. Chi-squared tests are statistical tools used to determine the association between categorical variables. In this study, they were employed to ascertain whether there existed any significant relationships or associations between the respondents' categorical responses (such as character traits attributed to Remus Lupin and Sirius Black) and the factors like the period of entry into the fandom or the specific community affiliation.The rationale behind utilizing Chi-squared tests lies in their ability to evaluate whether observed differences between the expected and observed frequencies within categorical data are statistically significant or merely due to chance. By examining the deviations between expected and actual data, these tests help determine if there's a meaningful relationship or association between the variables being studied.Sphinx iQ, a statistical analysis tool, was chosen for its ability to efficiently process and analyze categorical data using Chi-squared tests, providing insights into the potential correlations or patterns between the studied variables.The utilization of Chi-squared tests in this analysis aimed to uncover any statistically significant connections or shifts in perceptions concerning Remus Lupin and Sirius Black, particularly regarding traits, based on various factors like fandom entry periods or community affiliations.

• Younger Participants (< 20 yo): Representing 28.09% of the sample, this demographic brings fresh and contemporary viewpoints, often influenced by modern interpretations and current cultural contexts.
• Young Adults (20-25 yo): Constituting 27.76% of respondents, this group bridges the gap between youthful enthusiasm and emerging adult perspectives, contributing a mix of nostalgic and contemporary insights.
• 26-35 yo Participants: Comprising 34.11% of the sample, this segment represents fans who grew up with the series, likely fostering deep emotional connections to the characters and narratives.
• Older fans (> 35 yo): Although forming a smaller percentage (10.03%), this demographic might offer insights into long-term fan perspectives, reflecting how interpretations may have evolved over time.

Information on respondents : limited information was collected on respondents, yet it would have been interesting to take into account :

• Cultural and Societal Influences: The survey gathered limited data regarding respondents backgrounds, yet, it can play a big role in shaping representations. To what extent do cultural and societal factors influence character perceptions? Are there differences in perceptions between fans from different cultural backgrounds or countries? Exploring the cultural context in which fans engage with the series could shed light on how cultural factors shape character interpretations.
• Fan Engagement Beyond Written Works: How do different forms of fan engagement, such as fan art, fan videos, or fan discussions, contribute to character perceptions? Do fans engage with these different forms of fan content in similar ways, or do they have distinct influences on character interpretations? Understanding the multifaceted nature of fan engagement can provide a more comprehensive understanding of character perceptions within the fandom.

• Early Fans (Upon publication of the Prisoner of Azkaban): 8% of respondents : these fans possess a deep-rooted historical perspective and may offer insights into the original reception of the characters.
• 2000s Golden Fans : 15% of the sample : these fans likely experienced the series during its peak popularity, shaping their understanding of characters amidst widespread fandom engagement.
• 2010s Pottermaniacs : 25% of participants : this segment reflects a wave of new fans, potentially drawn in by evolving online communities and fan content.
• Pandemic Times (2020-2022): 35% of the sample : these fans bring fresh perspectives, likely influenced by newer platforms like TikoTok, adaptations, or a resurgence of interest in Harry Potter.
• Newcomers (2023): 16% of the sample : this group represents fans who recently joined, providing immediate, contemporary insights into how new fans perceive Remus and Sirius.

Of course, these profiles are not spread evenly accross the age groups : two thirds of fans older than 35 y.o. joined the Marauder fandom before 2010, while 4 out of 5 fans younger than 20 y.o. joined this fandom over the last three years.

• You used words that refer to biological sex (male and female) in a question that asked about gender (identify as). Most people will understand what you mean but a few might be confused, especially non native speakers.
• As I've answered in other questions, I think, especially given jkr's recent comments and behavior, that both characters were written as "default straight", that is, she didn't give much thought to their sexuality until she decided to pair Remus off with Tonks.
• Gay, transgender man
• trans remus lupin & genderfluid sirius black 4 life
• Would be interesting to compare the answers to the cultures people come from. I'm not American or British but I feel like gender expressions are quite different from country to country + class also does a lot + the generations. I don't like masculine - feminine sliding scales or them as descriptors bc of that, because I feel like they mean very different things to different people

Amongst other options suggested spontaneously are :

• More masculine than feminine, somewhere between quite masculine and androgynous - if there was a somewhat masculine option, I'd pick that ; Traditionally masculine because he wants to fit in but in a way that’s soft so as not to be seen as intimidating ; I'd say he's masculine in appearance but more soft and a little skittish in personality. ; Not feminine but not massively masculine
• Metrosexual, very elegantly dressed (even for his poor-quality clothing)
• Regular masculine. Normal masculine. ; masculine in a this might as well happen sort of way
• i dont think he falls into these gender categories bc i dont think he thinks about his own gender that much. do w/ that what you will
• From what I see, he definetely is not Femminine; in any way. But at the same time, he barely ever displays any Masculine traits (in my view). And he isn't at all balanced. He is a male that can't stand for anything; unless he's being half-forced/black-mailed into it. Maybe he aant's to do it-- but he can't make decision for himself. He's has the same amount of capability, in making decisions for himself, as a six moth old baby-- except he doesn't let the world know he might not like what is happening.

Chi-squared test results indicate a potential association between the moment participants joined the fandom and the type of material (canon books, movies, or fanon fanfictions) they've read or watched. The answers of the participants suggest a shift towards different forms of engagement or sources of content within the fandom and evolving fan preferences over time, where certain fan works gain or lose popularity among different generations of fans.

• Decline in Canon Book Readership: observed especially among the most recent fans, this might indicate a shift away from canon material as time goes by.

• Prioritization of Books vs. Movie Adaptations: Fans joining in the 2000s and 2010s tended to prioritize reading the canon books over watching their movie adaptations, newer fans show a higher interest in movie adaptations.
• Shoebox Project Readership: it has decreased significantly overtime, suggesting a declining interest in this particular fanfiction among newer fans.
• All The Young Dudes Readership: On the contrary, the readership of this fanfiction has nearly doubled among newer fans compared to fans from earlier periods. This increase is notable, reaching a point where it is as widely read among newer fans as the Deathly Hallows book.

Amongst other options suggested spontaneously are :

• Fluid, considering he has an inner wolf to deal with that may have its own personality that he needs to balance. ; Unsure (both I am unsure and he is likely unsure) ; Straight in the born in 60s style, don't know what is in there really, might have at least fooled around in school ; Hetro, but I think he might have had a tiny crush on James, not enough to be gay or bi, but defo had one-- from what i see.
• Mostly gay but discovers a small bisexual side later in life ; I kinda think that his is gay in canon, but pushed himself in more public acceptable position as bisexual
• the closet is his home ; Gay but in denial
• I assume JKR intended him to be straight, but Death of the author - there's no reason he can't be interpreted as bi or gay ; I headcanon him as bisexual, but I think he was written to be heterosexual. ; No evidence of queerness but extremely subtextual ; All characters are bisexual until proven otherwise in my mind.
• Asexual ; pansexual / fluid ; Pansexual ; Queer ; bi or gay im not strict about it ; Heterosexual or bisexual; can't know 100% ; exceptionally hetero (with Tonks) ; Harry potter: bi, marauders: gay

Amongst other options suggested spontaneously are :

• Masculine but in a feminine way if that makes senseIdk how to describe it but like masculine in a feminine way or it just depends on the day.
• a bit genderfluid
• Androgynous in a masc way ; Very androgynous but sometimes he will swing very far to masc or fem
• Quite masculine but would wear a dress/skirt if need be (if he lost a dare, I don't think it would bother him. If he heard skirts were more comfortable, he might try). Hed probably be willing to try out feminine things and find hes alright with them but they just arent his taste. I feel like he wore guyliner, dispite being extreamly masculine

Relevance of adjectives chosen: Was the choice of adjectives truly pertinent? The list of adjectives was chosen arbitrarily, drawing inspiration from how characters are generally described. Would we have obtained different results with another list or with adjectives testing different variables? Additionally, some adjectves were close to each other in terms of meaning, even though they were separate. Maybe it would have been more intresting to test more different subjects. It could also have been interesting to test opposite ideas (rebellious / polite). Finally, the words themselves might haven caused some issues. The adjective "Physical" in particular was unclear for some respondents.

Only 4% of the participants have never watched any of the Harry Potter films featuring the Marauders : the PoA movie, the OotP movie, the HBP movie or the DH movies. A similar number, 4%, have never read any of the canon books featuring the Marauders, namely PoA, OotP, HBP or DH. Two thirds (67%) of the participants mention having read at least one fanfiction (All The Young Dudes, The Shoebox Project, or another fanfiction). Amongst the other fanfictions mentionned are : A black mass over highway ninety, Blackpool, The Cadence of Part Time Poets, Debt of Time, Casting Moonshadows, Crimson Rivers, Art Heist Baby, Did You Miss Me?, Marauders by Pengiwen, Marginalia by Spindrifters, Rise of the Phoenix screenplay, Shifting Lines, The Fragile House of Black, The Last Enemy, fanfictions by specific authors (MollyMaryMarie, The Divine Comedian, ColgateBluemintygel)

The p-values and Chi-squared values suggest that the profile of the respondant does not play a role in whether they identify as more of a Marauder or more of a Wolfstar fan, except on one dimension. Gender and LGBT+ Identification: there doesn't seem to be significant link between the gender of the person or their LGBT identity and their identity as a fan within this fandom. Age: there seems to be a potential age-related influence on the fandom preferences between Marauders and Wolfstar fans, with the preferences shifing notably depending on the age groups. Notably : - younger respondents (20-25) being more inclined towards the Marauders fandom - a shift towards more Wolfstar fandom representation in the 26-35 age range.

• Half of the participants joined the Marauders fandom because of the original books, and their insights will have been based on J.K. Rowling's narratives and character developments. A very small percentage of respondents joined the Marauders fandom because of the films adaptations.
• Yet, the impact of the community in recruiting new fans cannot be denied : 43.81% of fans joined the Marauders fandom because of fanworks, fanfiction, fan art, videos, and other ways to engage with characters in a varied and deeply personnal way.
• Some repondents offer other reasons for joining : this mix of varied reasons include a mix "combo" of canon content and fanworks, being potentially influenced by social connections, friends, closed ones, or a wider interest for Harry Potter (and in two cases : a specific interest for James Potter).
• It is interesting to note that the balance between canon works and fanworks change over the years, with fanworks taking the lead in making fans join the Fandom, as time goes by.