CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 1: Owl Post

[ZaraG]

No: HPFGUIDX 189372

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CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Chapter 1: Owl Post

In this chapter, we are reintroduced to the key events and characters of the series to date. The Dursleys have a new car they want everyone to know about. Ron tried to phone Harry, but botched it owing to his ignorance of this device and its use. Harry turns thirteen, and receives presents and mail from his friends. He learns Hermione vacationed in France with her parents, Percy was chosen to be Head Boy, and Ron took a trip to Egypt with his family and pet rat.

Questions for Discussion:

1) Ron bought Harry a Sneakoscope, Hermione bought him instructions and products for broom care, and Hagrid bought him  the book "Monster Book of Monsters".  What did you think of these gifts? What do they tell us about the senders and their relationships with Harry?

With his gift of the Sneakoscope, Ron also sends a story about it: how it kept going off and Percy thought it was broken, but Ron knew the Twins were putting beetles in Percy's soup. 

2) This story shows us several of the Weasleys interacting. What does it tell us about the actors? What do you like/dislike about the characters in this scene and how they are written?

3) This story is also our first clue to the big Scabbers/Peter surprise in the climactic scenes of the novel. What do you think of it in this context?

4) This chapter includes information relevant to the relationship between the Muggle and Wizard worlds, including Harry's History essay on witch burnings and Ron's ignorance of the proper use of a telephone. What light do these details shed on your understanding of this relationship?

In this as the third book of her series, Rowling devoted time in the first chapter to recapping events an persons of significance.

5) What do you think of her choice to do this in PoA and other books of the series? It is appropriate or unnecessary?

6) Do you like how she did it? Do you agree on her choice of things to re-introduce? Did you find reading these bits pleasant, annoying, repetitive, etc.?

7) Why do you think Dumbledore selected Percy to be Head Boy? Do you agree or disagree with this decision? The other Head Boys/Girls identified in canon are Tom Riddle, Bill Weasley, James Potter, and Lily Evans. From this evidence, what do you think is involved in choosing Hogwarts Head Boys/Girls?

8) Please feel free to add your own questions.


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Next Chapter Discussion, Chapter 2 of Prisoner of Azkaban coming soon. If you would like to volunteer to lead a Prisoner of Azkaban chapter discussion, please drop a note to HPforGrownups-owner @yahoogroups.com (minus that extra space). (PLEASE, please, pretty please?)