Chapter Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban Ch 16: Professor Trelawney's prediction

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 190202



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "willsonteam" <willsonkmom at ...> wrote:
><snip of the summary>
> > 
> Questions:
> 
> 1. Hermione finally faces a Boggart—and it turns into McGonagall telling her she
> failed. What does this bit of comic relief tell us about the character?

Alla:

Reveals her insecurities, but actually it was a bit of a surprise to me as well, if I remember correctly. Although I guess I should not have been surprised, because I saw clearly how driven she was to succeed in academics and I suppose a lot of people who have a desire to succeed, also have fear of failure.

 
> 3. Using everything you know about Trelawney, and especially the events of this
> chapter—what makes her tick? What kind of character was JKR writing?

Alla:

Oh, good question, you know what the funny thing is? I am still not completely sure. I mean, we know that she was not writing a complete fraud, thats for sure and I think based on Half Blood Prince as well she is also someone who really wants to be taken seriously in her profession. Come to think of it, I think she and Hermione have it in common. 

> 
> 4. OK, everyone thought this prediction was about Sirius Black the first time
> they read it. (If you didn't, why not?) So, now that we know the future—how
> true or accurate is this prediction? What does "chained these twelve years"
> mean?

Alla:

I totally thought it was about Sirius Black when I read it at first. Hm, "chained these twelve years", I thought at the end that it meant Peter chained by his rat's body, metaphorically speaking? I did not realize there is other interpretation? I mean, I would love to know it, this one just feels obvious?


> 
> 
> 5. Trelawney's first prediction was set in motion by Snape blabbing to LV. What
> set this one in motion? Will Harry do anything because of or in spite of hearing
> her words?

Alla:

Actually I am not sure if this one has the direct correlation to any of the events. Harry after he hears the prediction wonders:

"...had he just heard Professor Trelawney make a real prediction? or had that been her idea of an impressive end to the test?"

So, it is not like her prediction helps him to think that oh, I will do something right now, or that old hack knows nothing, let me ignore her anyway. it felt to me that he pretty much ignored the prediction afterwards, since he was too occupied by Buckbeak's execution. So I suppose Buckbeak's plight set the wheels in motion, I would say?


> 6. How does the prediction set the reader up, or set the mood? Would the events
> (both in the book and the series) seem different if the reader had not been
> exposed to the prediction?

Alla:

I would say yes, it would feel less foreshadowed when we go back and reread.



> 7. Did the sudden switch to Hagrid's problems distract the reader (or Harry)
> from the prediction?

Alla:

It absolutely distracted me!


> 8. The Trio hears the ax fall, and Hermione says, "They did it." Did Buckbeak
> lose his head—or was the Trio already there?

Alla:

HAHA. I wish I know, it always makes my head spin when I start thinking about time travel.

Thanks for the great questions.