Chapter 2 Discussion - SPOILERS

[hert0661]

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No: HPFGUIDX C4560
From: hert0661
Subject: Chapter 2 Discussion - SPOILERS
Date: 7/18/00 7:51 pm  (ET)

I have been asked to start the chapter 2 discussion. After the spoiler
warning there follows a short summary of chapter 2 and then a few points
that came to mind.

S
P
O
I
L
E
R

S
P
A
C
E

Chapter 2 is where we first meet Harry in book 4. It is also a mere 9
pages long (well this is true for the UK edition) and is nearly the
shortest of the book (I believe that chapter 32, at 7 pages, is the
shortest).

Chapter 1 finished with Voldemort killing Frank Bryce which resulted in
the waking of Harry. We then have the quick description of his physcial
appearance - skinny 14 year old with bright green eyes, untidy black
hair and 'The Scar'.

He then tries to remember the dream he has just been having and what
it means. We follow this with a quick look round his room in the house
in Privet Drive, ending with the worry that the scar last hurt when
Voldemort was nearby.

Next we are told about the Dursley's and that Voldemort is the reason
why Harry is living with them. Following on to a quick reminder of how
he found out about who he is and about Hogwarts.

We move onto Harry's thoughts of what he should do abouit his scar hurting
and his 'dream'. We see him thinking about the reaction he would get
from Ron and Hermione if he told them. This is used to tell us about the
character traits of Ron and Hermione and introduces the Weasley family.

Then Harry comes up with the solution of writing to Sirius, his
godfather. We are reminded quickly of the events of PoA and Sirius'
escape, probably to somewhere tropical and a quick mention of Hedwig being
elsewhere. Harry finishes the chapter by getting dressed for breakfast,
without looking at himself in the mirror.

This chapter left me with a few questions! Feel free to answer any of
these or discuss the points this chapter raised for you.

Why was chapter 1 in the book at all?
Why not follow CoS and PoA with the first chapter being Harry's birthday
and then moving onto the dream?
Does Harry ever have a decent nights sleep?
Why does he avoid looking at himself while getting dressed?
Do we need all this description of the main characters?
Are we meant to believe that anyone would try and start the series with
book 4?
Could anyone read this book with no knowledge of the first three?

Sorry the questions go a bit beyond the chapter at hand, but they were
just some thoughts I had.

Simon