CHAPTER DISCUSSION: PS/SS 13, Nicolas Flamel

[Jean Lamb]

No: HPFGUIDX 188529

Questions:
1. Reflect on the role of dreams in Harry's maturation as a wizard. How have
they helped and/or hindered his development?
 
--They have often led him into risking his life when it wasn't actually
necessary (especially if you include the visions he had in Book 5) and in
putting others in danger as well. The goals have always been worthy; the
thoughts that led to the plan, not always well-done; the actions themselves,
often unfortunate. 

2. Why did Snape referee the Quidditch game? And why might he have seemed
angrier than usual before the match?
 
--To save Harry's life. Quidditch is dangerous. And he may need to act while
being close enough to see what's going on. Why angrier than usual--because
everyone (including his own students, likely enough) think he's there to
throw the game to the Hufflepuffs. Though given the general prejudice in
favor of the Gryffindors, I suspect members of Hufflepuff could have
favorable opinions of that, which they know better to mention outside their
own Common Room. Snape may well be wishing himself safely on the ground, as
well--he may be terrified of heights, bad at flying unless he absolutely
must, doesn't trust what Quirrel might do to _his_ broom, and praying Merlin
not to puke. And it's all for Harry's sake, who knows that Snape is the evil
one (this is a pattern that occurs throughout the whole series--Harry never
thanks Snape once while the Potions Master is alive, even when he knows that
Snape has saved his life).  

3. Why is Hermione's advice to Neville (to confront Malfoy), and Neville's
subsequent action critical to the HP series? 
 
--Because in the end, Neville does find his courage (and earns a pair of
snakeskin boots). If he had been treated the way one suspects Peter
Pettigrew was treated, he may well have been frightened into treachery. It
is interesting to see the parallels to the Marauders here. Harry, of course,
could easily have been like James if he hadn't learned what bullying was
like from the inside--although he takes on his father's prejudices, he
rarely allows the Trio to stomp just Draco or any single Slytherin for kicks
and giggles. Ron has the impulse control problem of Sirius Black, but is
willing to be restrained by Harry when it's clear he would really rather
stomp people the way he's been stomped by the twins. Hermione tries to be
the conscience of the Trio, although by the fifth book she's clearly given
up (rather like Remus; she's not a werewolf, but she _is_ a Muggleborn, and
that does make a difference, even in Gryffindor). Neville could have been
Peter if he'd been treated the same way. 

4. Speculate as to whether there may be numerological significance to
Nicolas and Perenelle's ages (665 & 658, respectively). [Interesting:
Perennial, Continuing without cessation or intermission; perpetual;
unceasing; never failing. [1913 Webster]
 
Hey, nothing like dating older men...<G> Let's see, Nicholas' age can be
reduced down to 8, which is the number of prosperity. There's the gold for
you. Perenelle's age can be reduced down to 1; which means she might have
been the dominant pair of the couple. 1 is also the first number, which
could refer to the eternal life aspect of the Stone. 

5. In the forest, Snape says to Quirrell: "You don't want me as your enemy,
Quirrell." What did you make of this statement on your first read? Given
what we know of Snape, has the significance of this statement changed?
 
--I'd say he was giving SQuirrell fair warning. <G>  And it turned out to be
true of the DADA teacher's Unknown Passenger, too. Neither one survived. 

6. Given that Harry found the Snitch so quickly and ended the game, thus
ensuring his safety for the next five minutes, is Snape now going to be
hated by Hufflepuff? Would there be any way for Snape to gaff or fix the
Snitch so that Harry could find it quickly and thus be out of danger for a
little while? 

 

Jean Lamb

Do UPS workers learn Parceltongue?

tlambs1138 at charter.net

excessiveperky at LJ

 

 


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