CHAPTER DISCUSSION Chamber of Secrets Ch. 2, Dobby's Warning

[ZaraG]

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CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Chapter 2: Dobby's Warning

This chapter begins on Harry's twelfth birthday. Harry is alone in his bedroom, while the Dursleys entertain the Masons, business acquaintances of Vernon. An odd being arrives in Harry's room, and identifies himself as Dobby, a House-Elf. Dobby warns Harry that he must not return to Hogwarts because his master is scheming to make terrible things happen there. Harry learns Dobby is the reason he has received no mail from his friends - Dobby has been intercepting them. When Harry refuses to promise to stay home, Dobby uses magic to drop Petunia's fancy dessert on the kitchen floor, and Harry receives a reprimand from the Ministry for using magic. The Masons storm out, ruining Vernon's prospects for a deal. From the Ministry's letter, Vernon learns Harry is not able to use magic at home. No longer fearing retaliation, Vernon locks Harry up in his room indefinitely.

The chapter ends when Harry sees Ron outside his now barred window.

Questions for discussion:
1) We first learn of House Elves in this chapter. What was your reaction to Dobby's self-punishments and description of his the conditions of his enslavement? 

2) Dobby states that he heard about Harry's recent (end of PS/SS) confrontation with Lord Voldemort. Who do you suppose was his source?

3) Dobby intercepted all the letters Ron, Hermione, and Hagrid wrote to Harry. How do you suppose he did this?

4) Why do you suppose Lucius picked this year to open the Chamber of Secrets?

5) Harry has a dream in this chapter after the Dursleys lock him up, that he is on display in a cage labelled "Underage Wizard", and Dobby refuses to rescue him because he is safe in there. Any thoughts on the meaning of this dream, and how it is similar to/dofferent from, other dreams of Harry's we read about in the series?

6) Harry receives a reprimand by Owl from the Ministry after Dobby uses a Hover Charm to destroy Petunia's pudding. This is our first encounter with the Ministry. What was your reaction to this letter? How does it fit in with what we learn of the Ministry throughout the series?

7) Dobby reappears in several of the books, and his story culminates with his rescue of Harry and death in "Deathly Hallows". What was your first impression of Dobby? How has it changed?

8) Feel free to add your own questions/comments about this chapter.

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Next Chapter Discussion, Chapter 3, The Burrow, on January 17, 2010.

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--Zara