CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 6: Talons and Tea Leaves

[nikkalmati]

No: HPFGUIDX 189544



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Mike" <mcrudele78 at ...> wrote:
>
> 
> 
 
> 
> Questions:
> 1. Why did you think the Dementors affected Harry so badly, compared
> to everyone else?

Nikkalmati

I didn't really think of any answer, but I thought it would become clear soon.  I did think that someone was really screaming and wondered why no one else heard it.
> 
> 2. Did you think anything was going on with Hermione's schedule or
> have any idea of how she was taking so many classes?

Nikkalmati

I was concerned that whe would not be able to handle it all.  Guess I was wrong. :>).  I was not even thinking about her being in 2 places at once.  I guess I thought she was jumping back and forth from one to another place.

 
> 
> 3. Did you think Sir Cadogan would become a more important character,
> or was he just comic relief?

Nikkalmati

Just comic relief.
> 
> 4. Harry shows concern for Sir Cadogan by moving closer to the picture and asking if he is ok. On the other hand, Ron is scornful of the Knight and comments at parting that they'll call him if they need someone mental. Do you think the contrast in attitudes of the two boys says anything in particular about them? Is this an indication of their overall and eventual characters/personality, or is it just young teenage boy attitudes?

Nikkalmati

I do think this was meant to show a difference in their characters.  Harry is empathetic, Ron is not (and never will be, I believe).  Harry has suffered so he has more sympathy for the injured.  Also, he is not used to the magical world, which in general, shows less sympathy for the injured - perhaps because injuries can be healed more easily.

> 
> 5. Did you think Trelawney was a true seer or a hoax? Did you expect any of her predictions to come true, even the simple ones? Do you think any of them did come true later? Just the predictions in this first lesson.

Nikkalmati

At this time, after the chapter was over, I thought she was a fraud or self--deluded.  Now I really like the idea that she is a true seer - she just doesn't know it. She misinterprets her own insights and lacks confidence in her gift.  Perhaps, she was cursed at birth?


> 
> 6. Did you think Harry had truly seen a Grim?

Nikkalmati

Yes, I did and I expected it to show up at any time.

> 
> 7. We meet our first animagi in this first Transfiguration class. Did you think this would be significant, or was it possibly just another fun magical ability?

Nikkalmati

I assumed it was just another ability that most competent witches and wizards could do.


> 
> 8. Do you think a person's Animagi form says anything about his or  her character? Take McGonagall, does a cat fit her as you've come to know her through the series?

Nikkalmati

We know it shows one's attachments.  It also seems to reflect one's personality.  I like McGonagal, but is she really cat-like?  I am not sure.  She is independent, but I don't think of cats as being so strict and willing to enforce the rules.

> 
> 9. How did you like Hagrid's first lesson? Do you think he had potential to be a good teacher? Would you have enjoyed this first class?

Nikkalmati

Hagred knoows his stuff and he likes the students.  I think he could be a very good teacher, but without any training he will make mistakes at first.  Why doesn't he have a mentor or something?  I would have liked the class, but I would have been cautious.  I like animals and would have followed instructions.

> 
> 10. What did you think of Harry's interaction with Buckbeak? Did you think we would see Buckbeak again, as we did throughout the series?

Nikkalmati

I think Harry shows that he has a good character again here.  He is willing to be respectful and acknowledge the Hippogriff's noble nature.
> 
> 11. What are your thoughts on Draco's actions in this lesson? Should he have listened more to Hagrid's instructions? Does he have any blame in the fact that he was injured? Should 13-year-olds be taught to interact with dangerous creatures?

Nikkalmati

Draco is arrogant and that makes him not listen to Hagrid and not show respect to what he thinks of as an animal, rather than a magical creature.  He also is jealous of Harry and wants to show him up.  He is primarily to blame for what happened to him.  No one tries to forbid Hagride from using dangerous animals.  I think it is hos own fear of someone getting hurt that makes him restrict himself to flobberworms.  Magical creatures are often dangerous and the point of the class is to prepare the students to handle them.  No one would have been hurt, if Draco had followed instructions.

  
> 
> 12. Did you agree that Hagrid should be disciplined for this lesson or that Buckbeak should be executed over what happened to Malfoy? Did you guess the significance Buckbeak's execution would play later in the book?

Nikkalmati

Hagrid should have been given assurance that it was not his fault.  I think he blamed himself.  I certainly don't thin he deserved discipline, but maybe a bit of good ad
vice?
> 
> 13. And one for fun. Because I laughed a lot in this chapter, did you have a favorite funny line in this chapter?
> 
Nikkalmati

Seamus : "It looks like a Grim if you do this . . . but it looks more like a donkey from here."

McGonagall "You look in excellent health to me Potter, so you will excuse me if I don't let you off homework today.  
I assure you that if you die, you need not hand it in."

> Please feel free to add your own thoughts or questions.
> 
> Sherry
>