CHAPTER DISCUSSION: PS/SS 7, The Sorting Hat

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 188093



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Megan Real" <poohmeg20 at ...> wrote:
<SNIP summary>

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you think Harry's first impressions of Hogwarts differed from those of
the other first year students? It seemed like nobody knew what to expect for the
sorting, but do you think those who had grown up knowing about Hogwarts were
surprised by other things?

Alla:

Oh as Janelle (?) I believe said that his expressions will be probably similar to other Muggleborn kids who knew nothing about magic and WW, however I think Harry's impressions would be ten times more positive and awe striking simply by what he had to live through with Dursleys. Just imagine, loveless existence for ten years and here the whole world which is supposedly can make anything come true. No wonder that I think that the line in the medium that must not be named is so very appropriate, when Harry says "I love magic", I so totally think it is perfectly in character for him.

I believe that he fell in love with this world right away.


2. Who is your favorite of the ghosts introduced in this chapter, and why?

Alla:

Actually if I remember my first impression correctly, none of them. I think I found the ghosts a bit creepy right from the bat.  I think it is just my preconceived thoughts after reading a lot of fantasy genre – I do not like spirits wandering around, be it unfinished business or anywhere else.


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?

Alla:

Hm, I think discussion, IF Hat started talking first and informed me that she is putting me somewhere I do not want to go. If Hat was silent though, I think I would have been too scared to started talking first.

However, I am of the opinion that Hat never intended to have any discussion with Harry, I think Hat was testing him and intended for him to be in Gryffindor.


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

Alla:

No way IMO, not even Percy. I think family means a lot for all of them and their whole family was and is among the Gryffindors.

9. If you had the banquet of your choice magically appear in front of you, what
would it include?

Alla:

I am not very adventurous,  but I would not go with  my usual chicken choice for meats hehe. I would love rabbit cooked in the sour cream, any white fish.  Salad with fresh tomato and cucumbers. 

Oooooo, yes cottage cheese dish please and dark chocolate desserts. Yeah, I know, weird choices.

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

Alla:

That I remember very well actually, I thought they were idiots.


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?

Alla:

As evidenced by my e-mail, my first impression of Dumbledore was very positive, lol. I thought the words were funny and eccentric. Do I think that those words are typical of him now? Only if typical of him means that he is typically endures to NOT show to people who he truly is.

I think it is a show to masquerade as eccentric. I think it hides the calculating, manipulative mind and last thing he is a loveable eccentric, in my view of course.


Thank you so much for interesting questions Meegan.