[HPforGrownups] CHAPTER DISCUSSION Chamber of Secrets Ch. 3, The Burrow

[Jerri&Dan Chase]

No: HPFGUIDX 188748

> 1. How did the beginning of this chapter, combined with the end of the
> previous chapter, affect your impressions of the Dursleys and their
> treatment of Harry?

It reinforced the Fairy Tale like "wicked step parents" syndrome feeling 
about this relationship.

> 2. Why do you think Vernon tried to prevent Harry's escape? If he feels
> Harry is such a burden and freak, why not let him go?

Because Vernon's first need is to "control" Harry.  Or to feel that he is in 
control.

> 3. What did you think of the Weasley rescue and the flying car?

It is fun, but in retrospect I find the near forgetting of Hedwig to be a 
bit of tragic foreshadowing that brought tears to my eyes.

> 4. Fred and George know how to pick locks by Muggle means. Did you think
> anything of the fact that they could do this, or did you think it could
> possibly come up later?

I don't know that I thought much of it at first reading, except that they 
were really cool and knowledgeable about ways to create mischief.  I think 
that JKR had their characters fully in her mind from the beginning.  We got 
a few glimpses in the first book, in this one we get some more, including 
this part.

> 5. What did you think of the Weasley home and the family dynamic?

I like the Weasleys and their home and family.

> 6. What did you think of Molly's alternating behavior, yelling at her 
> sons,
> then being sweet and loving to Harry?

Typical worried mother.  She was angry not so much about the use of the car 
as because she loved them so much and had been so worried when they were 
missing.  And she couldn't start a formal search as she didn't want to draw 
attention to the flying car and get her beloved husband into trouble.  It 
was reaction to a long, worry and dread filled night.  As for her behavior 
to Harry, that was the hostess side of her.  She had started the series 
feeling positive about "the boy who lived", she had a glimpse of him on the 
platform in the first book when he asked her for directions, which makes her 
the first person in the WW he spoke to, after his one day of glory in Diagon 
Alley with Hagrid.  Then, all summer she had heard about him as Ron's best 
friend.  So, she feels welcoming.  And as hostess she wants to show this. 
Also, if she has heard about the Dursley's treatment of Harry she wants to 
compensate.

> 7.  What did you think of the de-gnoming process: funny, cruel, gross, 
> anything
> beyond just a humorous scene?

I think that this is just supposed to be slapstick style humor.  JKR 
sometimes tries to send messages and sometimes just tries to be funny.  I 
think that this was written to be a funny scene, and the reader isn't 
supposed to think of the gnomes as thinking/feeling beings.

> 8. We learn about Mr. Weasley's job and his obsession with all things 
> Muggle
> in this chapter. What were your feelings about his fondness for Muggle
> things, and the fact that he enchanted a car via a loophole in Wizarding
> law?

More humor.  Also, in retrospect, an important part of his personality that 
JKR knew about from the beginning, that will come into play later.

> 9. From this chapter on, the burrow becomes one of Harry's favorite 
> places,
> and the Weasleys become his favorite family. What do you think draws Harry
> so much to this quirky home and family?

His strong need for love and acceptance.  Also, as Petunia and Vernon are so 
into control and everything being formal and orderly, something that is 
opposite is appealing.

> 10. Do you have any other thoughts or questions on this chapter?

This chapter was my first hint about JKR's pattern of introducing us to new 
places/parts of the WW in each book as well as new forms of magical 
transportation.  She could have just followed the same plan as book 1, with 
Harry just going from the Dursleys to Platform 9 3/4 to catch the train. 
But, JKR wanted her readers and Harry to keep learning a bit more about the 
WW in each book, allowing us to expand our knowledge of her world as the 
story progresses.

Now, this works wonderfully, but perhaps explains in part some of the 
inconsistencies that can appear when her fantasy world is analyzed closely. 
She puts in things as they occur to her, as funny or fitting into the plot 
and they may or may not fit into the final plan for the series as a whole. 
Some things she had well thought out from the beginning, like the twins, 
others she made up as she went along.

Many thanks for the wonderful questions and summary.

Jerri