[HPforGrownups] Foreshadowing Clues in CoS

[GulPlum]

No: HPFGUIDX 52868

At 03:23 26/02/03 , Peter Shea wrote:

>I remember reading an interview with Jo Rowling where she revealed that 
>many hints are planted in CoS as to how Harry's story would develop.
>
>I've been skimming through CoS for scenes and dialogue which might have 
>special significance, but nothing leaps out. Has anyone else found 
>material in CoS which hints at what we can expect in OotP?

I don't know about OotP specifically, but in terms of the overall 
storyline, I've been pondering this question for a while. It's not so much 
a question of "finding" material as suspecting what material might become 
important. The way JKR phrased the comment (sorry, I don't have the time to 
look up the precise quote) was that CoS is important to the series as a 
whole, and two elements introduced in CoS seemingly as plot devices have 
already had a much greater importance - the Whomping Willow and Polyjuice 
Potion.

However, given that the comment was made fairly recently (when TMTSNBN was 
released), there's clearly more, so I've been looking at concepts, 
plotlines or other details which have thus far appeared *exclusively* in 
CoS (if they'd appeared in other books, JKR would hardly have said that CoS 
specifically was important).

I don't therefore think that, say, the anti-Muggleborn theme which is 
central to CoS is what she meant (it's around in all the books), and the 
same goes for Ron's or Hermione's attitudes.

A few things jump out at me, though:
To date, CoS is the only book in which the Sorting Hat has had a function 
beyond its immediate and named role. I expect more to come from its 
connection to the Founders and the ability to "pull things out of it".

Of course, the notion that the Founders (Slytherin, as it happens) could 
have Heirs is raised solely in CoS and I'm a firm believer in the concept 
that Harry is related to Gryffindor (compounded by JKR's assertion out of 
canon that the name of "Godric's Hollow" is a hint, or words to that effect).

Something which has always intrigued me is the way that Dumbledore seems 
uncertain in his summary to Harry: "Unless I'm much mistaken, he 
[Voldemort] transferred some of his own powers to you the night he gave you 
that scar. Not something he intended to do, I'm sure." I'm desperately 
trying to divest TMTSNBN of canon importance, but the way that line is 
played makes me question even more that he's right. I'm expecting some kind 
of payoff from that doubt.

I am convinced that The Hand of Glory is going to be back. In what form, I 
have no idea, but I cannot believe that it was included just for the fun of 
it. The same goes for Borgin & Burkes' shop. And just what is the 
significance of the precise way Borgin phrased its use?: "Insert a candle 
and it gives light only to the holder! Best friend of thieves and 
plunderers!" Does Draco's desire for it foreshadow him as a thief and 
plunderer? Is its exclusivity of light symbolic of Harry's destiny to shed 
light on the wizarding world? Who knows? (well, JKR does, but she's not 
telling.) :-)

CoS is the only book to date in which we've had the ghosts interacting with 
each other on a personal level, and it introduces Nearly Headless Nick's 
desire to join the Headless Hunt (although TMTSNBN moved it from CoS to 
PS/SS). I have a feeling that by the end of the series, in some way Harry 
is going to facilitate this to happen.

Then we have the Chamber itself (I am convinced it has more "Secrets" - 
plural - to reveal) - and Ginny's crush on Harry.

I'm also expecting Aragog's return. I think there's an interesting sub-text 
throughout the books with the dangerous beasts. Whilst humans have a choice 
to do good or evil (which is of course a well-established over-riding 
"moral" of the series), animals and other magical creations have only 
instincts which cannot be equated to moral choices. Dragons, Acromantulae, 
hippogryffs, werewolves, three-headed dogs and even the Whomping Willow, 
are all dangerous. However, if they are treated with respect rather than 
fear (this is most explicitly stated in the case of Hippogryffs), they can 
become helpful and less dangerous, if not exactly docile. In fact, the 
whole theme of the books could be summarised with the single word 
"respect"! Harry and Aragog are going to come to some kind or understanding 
which is based on something other than fear (their mutual fear is all we 
have right now).

--
GulPlum AKA Richard, who really should be doing more important things right 
now...