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

[poohmeg20]

No: HPFGUIDX 190197

<snip of wonderful 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?

Megan:
Her fear of academic failure is such a recurring theme through the
series that I thought it was really funny that it was literally
represented here.

> 2. JKR's description of the exams makes for a very amusing read.
> Which joke most tickled your funny bone?

Megan:
See above. And for some reason, it was funny to me that they were all
disinterestedly regurgitating their history lectures on their exams
just like muggle kids, in contrast to all the other exotic and
exciting classes.

> 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?

Megan:
I picture her as someone who has kind of built her own little world
in her mind and that's where she lives. It's always kind of jarring
to her when the other world intrudes.

> 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?

Megan:
Yep, at the time I thought it was Sirius, and I never really thought
back to that part again. Maybe it was Wormtail? He was kind of
trapped as Scabbers since he'd blow his cover if he changed back.

> 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?

Megan:
I thought it was just the general tense environment that prompted
this one - even she seems aware that something is in the air.

> 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?

Megan:
I thought it helped to increase the suspense and tension, and it
definitely was something that kept coming to mind as the series went
on.

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

Megan:
I know it distracted me, and it seemed to at least temporarily
distract Harry.

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

Megan:
I think they were already there.