The "first" chapter summary PoA 1-2

[Andrew Preston]

No: HPFGUIDX 17906

HP PoA 1-2 

(Man, it's scary going "first.")

Chapter 1.

The first paragraph introduces us to the abnormalities of Harry. He wants to do
his homework, but cannot, he hates summer vacation, and of course, for those
who missed it the first two times around, HP is a wizard.

We see the humour coming from JK Rowling in her introduction of HP's paper
topic, _Witch Burning in the Fourteenth Century Was Completely Pointless._ We
could only imagine some of the things Harry might write about the topic
(Muggles were the only ones burnt, the test for witches were all wrong, etc).

Once again, we find Harry Potter at his uncle's house, and we are reintroduced
to the Muggles. We see that Harry has learned a little bit more than "good"
magic at school. He picks the lock to his old bedroom (the cupboard under the
stairs) to get to his schoolbooks (They have been taken away by his aunt and
uncle). I'm sure the twins taught him that.

In a first, Harry gets a phone call. This is momentous, since wizards don't use
telephones. We can see that in the dialog that occurs, with Ron shouting since
he figures the distance is very far.

Harry is allowed to let Hedwig out since she screams all the time if locked up
We "celebrate" Harry's birthday at night. He's now a teenager.

Harry gets his first presents and cards for his birthday. Three owls struggle
to bring it, and Errol (Ron's owl) to him. Harry gets news that Ron is in
Egypt, his family won the "lottery" and he'll be getting a new wand from the
proceeds. We also find out in a postscript that Percy is Head Boy. Ron gave
Harry a Pocket Sneakoscope. Hermione gave Harry a Broomstick Servicing Kit.

Harry reminisces about Quidditch, and it's reintroduced. Harry gets a living
book, _The Monster Book of Monsters._ Harry gets a permission slip from
Hogwarts for Hogsmeade visits. He knows that nobody will sign it, and he won't
be able to go (so he thinks... we learn different later)

JK says that Harry is finally glad that it was his birthday, like a normal kid.

Chapter 2.

Aunt Marge is coming to visit. We first hear about Sirius Black (on a Muggle TV
show, of all things) but we don't know much about him other than he's presumed
dangerous. We hear again about Aunt Petunia's enjoyment of spying on her
neighbors. 

Harry's previous birthday presents have included an old pair of his uncle's
socks. This year's present is far worse... Aunt Marge, who is told that Harry
had been sent away to a juvenile prison, hates him more than any of the family
he lives with.

Harry bargains with Uncle Vernon. He'll pretend to attend the juvenile school
if he signs his permission slip. Uncle Vernon says that he will sign the form,
if everything goes okay.

Aunt Marge brought Ripper with her, one of her may bulldogs. She throws her
suitcase at Harry, who's compared to a coat rack, and kisses Dudley, paying him
20 pounds for the service. She tells Aunt Petunia to write to the juvenile home
to have them beat Harry harder. Then Uncle Vernon changes the subject to
Sirius, which sets the tone for the rest of the novel.

Aunt Marge pushes a little too hard, saying that if there was something wrong
with the breeding, then there would be something wrong with the animal,
comparing Harry to a dog, and indirectly calling Lily a bitch. Harry shatters
Marge's glass as she's drinking from it. Harry runs to his room and worries
about the Ministry of Magic coming after him again for illegal magic use.

Later in the week, Marge talks about Harry as a runt, saying that he should
have been drowned as a child (implicitly, of course). Marge is getting drunk,
and asking about Harry's dad. Uncle Vernon said that he was unemployed,
throwing Marge into a tirade. Harry can't hold it anymore and yells that his
father was not lazy. Harry starts blowing Marge up, bigger and bigger. She
started to float to the ceiling like a huge balloon.

Harry can't take it any longer, grabs his stuff, and leaves to the street.


Questions:

1)	Shouldn't most wizards be more self-disciplined than to let somebody get    
  under them and then blow them up?
2)	How do they get Marge off the ceiling?
3)	What does Marge think? Will the Dursleys ever learn? (They do better in     
 Book 4, but will they ever do more than tolerate Harry?)
4)	What did Harry think he was doing, running out into the street? He can't    
  apparate
5)	Where did the owls meet up at? Do they have a central office?
6)	Can you hire more owls to deliver heavy packages? Why didn't Ron, with his  
    newfound wealth?
7)    What's up with the telephone sequence? Couldn't Ron have asked somebody, 
     or was he just not thinking?

That should be enough.


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