CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chamber of Secrets Chapter 16: The Chamber of Secrets

[Joey Smiley]

No: HPFGUIDX 189202

(1) What was your initial thought about what was troubling Ginny when she came to sit with Harry and Ron?

(2) While they are in the common room after the news of Ginny's disappearance, Ron thinks that she must have some information about the Chamber. At this point in the narrative, what would you have thought of this suggestion? What connection could you imagine between her and the Chamber?

Joey:
Same answer for both questions - I thought that she had seen / heard of something fishy / eerie and was scared to talk about it.

(3) Does your view of Lockhart change after reading this chapter? If so, in what way.

Joey:
I never thought that he would have been so disgusting so as to wipe out others' memories for selfish reasons and I despised him when he talked as though only looks matter when it comes making it to the cover page of a book.

(4) Did you expect Harry's first question to Myrtle? Do you think that he was being optimistic in hoping for more information than she actually supplied?

Joey:

Myrtyle seemed to be glad keen to discuss her death with anyone who would lend a keen ear. So, what Harry did didn't seem optimistic.

(5) Did it seem surprising that when a simple spell such as "Obliviate" backfired with such devastating results?

Joey:

Considering what Voldy did with Bertha's memory and how it had impacted her, I suppose "Obliviate" may not be a simple spell after all i.e. it could leave a person totally deranged for the rest of life. Lockhart was aiming to wipe off Harry's and Ron's memories *for good*, claims that memory spells are his specialty and was *pretty desparate* to escape from his current situation. So, I guess he had cast a *very powerful* spell and when he did that with Ron's broken wand, well, he paid for it.  

(6) Please feel free to additionally pose your own questions.

Joey:

My questions:

1. Did anyone feel sorry for Lockhart when he was forced at wandpoint to accompany Harry and Ron to the CoS? Or do you think Harry and Ron were right in their approach? 

2. What use do you think Harry and Ron expected out of Lockhart in such a serious situation, given that both of them disliked him and had suspected his credibility since long? Don't you think he would have been more of a nuisance than a help?

3. Harry says that as their DADA teacher, Lockhart must show more responsibility. Do you concur? Or do you think teaching DADA is one while actually putting them to use in dangerous situations is another and the choice should be left to the teacher?

Cheers,
~Joey, who enjoyed Geoff's questions :-)