CHAPTER DISCUSSION: PS/SS 7, The Sorting Hat

[zgirnius]

No: HPFGUIDX 188052

Zara:
Wow, Megan, thanks for all the fun discussion questions. What a list!
 
> Discussion Questions:
> 2. Who is your favorite of the ghosts introduced in this chapter, and why?

Zara:
Nearly Headless Nick, for his ridiculous name and being the ghost we get to know best. I thought the Bloody Baron seemed cool, but we get to know him a lot less well.

> 4. If you were being sorted, would you have a discussion with the hat like
> Harry, or would you go with wherever it wanted to put you?

Zara:
This would depend on where the Hat suggested I should go. As I expect it would stick me in Ravenclaw, I probably would not need to. <g> But if it had ideas lower on the alphabet, I might argue with it, I suppose.

> 5. Do you think any of the Weasleys wished they were in a house other than
> Gryffindor?

Zara:
No. I think they'd all want Gryffindor, for various reasons. Fitting in with the family not least among them. 

> 6. Do you think each house is the same size? Do you think any have gotten bigger
> or smaller over time?

Zara:
Yes, I do think the houses are the same size (give or take, the number of students entering may not always be evenly divisible into four parts). That Hat states in one of its songs that it "quarters" the students; I take that to be textual evidence that it divides up the students into groups of equal size. It's also sensible, Houses that compete in sports, academics, etc., that have the same number of staff assigned to look after them, should be of roughly equal size for it to be fair

> 8. Dean Thomas is specifically described as black in his description, but there is not a mention of race for the other students. Do you think there is racial/ethnic diversity at Hogwarts, or is Dean the only non-white student?

Zara:
I envision Hogwarts as having South and East Asian students (the Patik Twins and Cho) and black students (Dean, but also Lee and Angelina) as well as "white" ones. I suspect Anthony Goldstein (Ravenclaw) might be an example of a Jewish student, though this is not made explicit.

> 10. What did you think of Neville's account of his family's concern that he
> wasn't magical?

Zara:
I found it somewhat over-the-top in a Dursleyesque way. But it did fit Neville and his insecurities well.
 
> 11. The first time you read the chapter, what did you think was happening when
> Harry had the pain in his scar while looking at Snape and Quirrell?

Zara:
I no longer recall. I am pretty sure I eventually added this to the list of reasons I expected (with regret) that Snape wouldprove to be the villain of the book.

> 12. What was your first impression of Dumbledore? Aside from the fact that we
> learn so much more about him as the series goes on, do you think that the "few
> words" and the way he introduces the school song are typical of him?

Zara:
I found him somewhat annoying. I can like a "brilliant but mental" character, but I prefer to see evidence of both. I never really warmed to him until DH, though....

> 13. Did you think there was any greater significance to Dumbledore's statement
> that music is "a magic beyond all we do here"?

Zara:
Sort of. Not about music per se, but it is in line with the idea within the series that the common humanity that unites us all is more important than magic (or any other skill). Witches and Muggles both can enjoy/create art and music, love, have friends, createm be wise, etc.
 
> 14. How does the Gryffindor common room compare to the atmosphere at the school
> you attended?

Zara:
It's like another planet. It reminds me of a library in my college, though).