Chapter Discussion: Chamber of Secrets Chapter 11, The Duelling Club

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 189217


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> Discussion Questions:
> 1. How convincing did you find the evidence presented by the Trio of Draco's possibly being the "Heir of Slytherin"? (Colin was victimized because Draco was angry about losing, Lucius must have opened the Chamber in the past, Draco planned to stay for the holidays, etc.)

Potioncat;
I was right there with them--except I didn't think it could be a student. I wondered if Lucius was somehow involved.
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> 2. Goyle's Swelling Solution, when splashed about the class, caused various students to experience swelling. Does Goyle possess hitherto unsuspected talents for Potionmaking?

Potioncat:
Although Ron and Harry think of Crabbe and Goyle as stupid, I'm not sure that's been confirmed at this point. We often see Neville messing up in potions, but I can think of only one time we're told one of the Duo made a serious mistake. Later Crabbe-or-Goyle will be able to cast Crucio and Fiendfire---so there must be some magical ability there.

Now, their judgment and moral sense are nothing to write home about.

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> 3. What is your opinion of Snape's handling of the incident Harry caused in his class?

Potioncat:
I'm pleased to link arms with Alla and Carol in support of Snape. But I was a little surprised that Harry got away with it in the first place, or that Snape wasn't more aggressive in finding the culprit.
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> 4. Why do you think Draco and "some Slytherins" cheered Snape's success in disarming Lockhart?

Potioncat:
I don't think "some Slytherins" was to indicate that not 'all Slytherins" were cheering him, but rather that Harry saw some Slytherins cheering. I'm surprised more students weren't cheering. I don't have the book with me, but didn't both Harry and Ron say something positive about Snape's victory?
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> 5. With the entire series in hand – why do you think Snape arranged to pair Harry and Draco to practice in the Dueling Club? Has your opinion changed since the first time you read the scene? What do you think Snape whispered in Draco's ear?

Potioncat:
Snape probably wanted to give Draco an opportunity to face Harry in a sanctioned manner. I'm still not sure if the Serpensortia was planned as a test, or an unintended outcome.
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> 6. What did you make of the COS revelations (its association with Slytherin and Dark Wizards) about this talent, before we learned if the soul bit in DH?

Potioncat:
I didn't think Harry was a Dark Wizard. I expected to learn later that it was a neutral ability with a bad reputation.
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> 7. In this chapter various characters react to this revelation. Harry fears he is a descendant of Slytherin. Ernie and other Hufflepuffs discuss this as Harry eavesdrops. What do you make of these opinions? What does it show us about Wizard society? Is it trying to tell us anything in particular about people/life?

Potioncat:
I thought Ernie made a good case against Harry--and I've always said he would be an excellent member of HPfGU. But it is a good example of how people see what they want to see and ignore things that contradict their ideas.
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> 8. The Dueling Club meeting is one of my very favorite scenes in the movies, primarily because I adore the performances of Rickman as Snape and Branagh as Lockhart in this scene and how they bring the characters to life in it just as I had imagined them. Is there any point to Rowling's juxtaposition of these characters in this scene aside from (undeniable) comic effect?

Potioncat:
I love this question. It's one the places where I would like to know the author's intention. It could have been simply the best way to reveal Harry as a Parselmouth? I've read that both Lockhart and Snape are based on real people that JKR didn't get along with, so maybe it was her way of dealing with them. I wonder how much of the Snape arc mirrors real life. (but no, I don't think her chemistry teacher was in love with her mother.)

If nothing else, JKR is setting the pattern for the DADA-teacher-wanna-be-Snape and the ongoing conflict between him and any DADA teacher. 

Thanks Zara, for the discussion, sorry I couldn't join it sooner.

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