CHAPTER DISCUSSIONS: Chapter 10, "Luna Lovegood".

[Christy]

No: HPFGUIDX 89164

With the obvious exception of CoS, where the journey is made in the 
> flying Ford Anglia, the chapter detailing the journey on the Hogwarts 
> Express is the most consistently similar throughout the books. What 
> effects do the disruptions of the familiar have on the reader's 
> expectations for the book?
> Is there a sense that, by introducing a new character, subverting 
> Harry's expectations for the journey, deliberately taking time out to 
> describe the weather and spending a lot of time over aspects of the 
> story – like Neville's cactus – which might be seen to be deliberate 
> red herrings, this chapter seems to be slightly more self-aware than 
> the others? Does an awareness of reader expectation pervade the 
> chapter?
> Have Ron and Hermione been deliberately marginalized in this chapter 
> in order to allow the secondary trio of Neville, Ginny and Luna more 
> page space in which to develop?
> How does this chapter prepare the reader for the major themes of the 
> book?

I think that what JKR is starting to show us here is Harry developing
a sense of being able to be ok, even without Ron and Hermione. This is
a theme that I've seen developing through the books, but I think that
it's really starting to take over. Let me explain...

In book 1, Harry has Ron almost from the beginning and Hermione
quickly joins them. This is the first time that Harry has experienced
friendship. The relationship between the three is emphasized strongly
in the whole book, straight to the end where the trio is responsible
for defeating Voldemort (yes, ultimately Harry does the defeating, but
he'd never have gotten there without Ron and Hermione's help).

In book 2, Harry's relationship with Ron and Hermione is again
emphasized, with Hermione being key to the story's plot (the polyjuice
potion, and even the plan to brew the potion come from Hermione) and
Ron is there through everything, at Harry's side, until the very end
when Lockheart prevents it. Again, Harry does the actual defeating but
Ron and Hermione are key.

In book three, Voldemort is not the primary focus (for the first time)
and again Ron and Hermione are by Harry's side to the end, rescuing
Sirius and Buckbeak and supporting him as a friend.

Book four is really the first time that Harry is forced to deal with a
lot of stuff on his own, although never fully. Hermione never believes
that Harry deliberately tried to get into the tournament, and after
the first task Ron comes around. However, for the first time, Ron and
Hermione can not help Harry when it comes down to the final tasks,
getting to Voldemort. For once Harry's on his own, although he has
Cedric, until his death. Harry is forced to think entirely on his own
and deal with everything without any assistance, until the wands join
and he gets the images from Voldemort's wand. And here's where things
shift.

At the beginning of book 5, Harry is isolated. Ron and Hermione both
want to let Harry know what's going on, but they can't. Harry feels a
sense of isolation that is paralleled only by GoF when Ron is angry
with him and Harry only has Hermione. This is much stronger, and is
confusing to Harry. By the train ride, Harry has started to get over
his isolation and immediately discovers that he is again to be
isolated. However, this time, Harry discovers (even if it doesn't
totally help him right away) he has other people who are willing to be
there for him. I think that the group of people is especially key here
because they will also later be the people who go to the DoM with
Harry, along with R & H. It is the first indication we have of how
Harry handles the fact that he has other friends (even if he doesn't
always see it). The fact that Luna is the title of the chapter makes
me think two things: 1) this is our first introduction to Luna, who
will later be key in the book. and 2) Luna will be key in later books
as well. Clearly the influence that Luna has over Harry is great. She
knows things that he doesn't know and very much wants to know. I have
a feeling that Luna will be a key player in future books, in terms of
Harry's emotional development (as a person, tho not neccesseraly as a
SHIP). 

I think that this chapter is key in Harry's development. He needs to
learn some independance from both R & H to be a successful person, a
skill I think both R & H have already developed, but Harry has not
quite mastered. A crucial part of growing up is finding out who you
are away from your friends. I think JKR is starting to show us who
Harry truly can become, and what kinds of flaws may be inherently in
his personality. The train is a perfect place to do that, since it's a
place Harry is familiar with but not without his best friends.

Wow, longer than I expected. Sorry bout that! (Commence the tomato
throwing and such)
Cheers,
Christy