Chapter Disc: Goblet of Fire Ch 2: The Scar

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 191361



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "nikkalmati" <puduhepa98 at ...> wrote:
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> ...
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> GoF Chapdisc 2:  The Scar
> 
> This chapter begins with Harry waking up in his room at the Dursleys' with his
> scar hurting him. He also has had a dream about Voldemort. Unknown to him, he
> has seen in his head the events recorded in the first chapter. Harry wonders
> what it means and what he should do about it. He reviews what Hermione and Ron
> would say and concludes he can't tell Dumbledore about such a minor thing. He
> then remembers Sirius and decides to write him to ask his advice. There is
> very little action in this chapter, but it sets the stage for future events. We
> are introduced to Harry's ability to see into LV's mind.
> 
> 
> 
> 1. Most of this chapter is devoted to a quick review of the events of the first three books. Why do you think Jo decided to do a review? Do you think she thought she would have new readers who did not know the first three books?
> 

Steve:

I think JKR was right to give a quick summary of how we got to this point in the story. She has no way of knowing at the point, how many reader have been following the story form the beginning, nor how often dedicated reads have read the stories. So, a quick summary makes sense in the early stages of the sage. But I also think she was right to stop doing that in later books. Once the story advances so far, you've either been following along or you haven't, and if you haven't then you are justifiably lost in trying to follow an epic 7 volume series. 


> 2. Did you understand that Harry was able to see into LV's mind at this point in the story and did you wonder why?
> 

Steve:

Sort of, hints are being dropped all along that Harry can sense something related to Voldemort. As the story moves on, it become more apparent. So, I think I suspected, but I'm kind of a 'wait and see' reader. I don't have to understand everything all the time. I'm confident that eventually 'all will be revealed'. 

I previous discussion, long long ago, I predicted exactly what happened at Godric's Hollow that fateful night. That a piece of Voldemort latched on to the only living thing it could find in the room. Having predicted that long ago, I pretty much understood Harry connection, thought it had not been explained in detail just yet. 


> 3. Do you think Harry correctly assessed Hermione's and Ron's reactions? Does this show he knows his friends well?
> 

Steve:
Well, he must know them well because when he finally tells them, they react just as he predicted. 

What bothers me is not how well he knows them, but that he would think it would matter. Yes, the did not react ideally, but you have to trust your friends. 

Naturally, and many of us have discussed this, Harry is annoyingly independent. I can understand why, growing up alone, in that oppressive restrictive environment, but there were so many time in the course of the story when Harry could have eased his own mind just by confiding in his friends and trusting the people around him who have established their trustworthiness.

Still, for the most part, he acts just the way kids act. While it annoyed me to no end, it still seemed completely normal and understandable. 

 
> 4. Where did you think Sirius was hiding based on the colorful birds he sent?
>

Steve:

Madagascar. Though to be fair, you can buy colorful birds in just about any country in the world, so that may have simply been a ruse to throw anyone off the trail if the bird was intercepted. 

Still, I imagine him in North Africa, or perhaps the near east; Turkey maybe. The Owls take a long time, but not a impossibly long time as they would if he were in India, Thailand, or China. 

So ...North Africa... Moracco, Monaco, or similar. I can picture Sirius finding the exotic bird in the Bazzar in Moracco.


> 5. Is it fair of Harry to use the implied threat of violence by Sirius to get better treatment from the Dursleys?
>

Steve:

Fair? What's ever been fair about Harry's life? I think he is more than right to use whatever leverage he can to insure that he gets fair treatment. The Dursley's have threatened him and worse for 10 years. So, again, he should rightly use whatever leverage he can.

Plus, he doesn't out and out threaten them with violence, he simply implies that a very dark and dangerous character is now watching out for him, and the Dursley's can take from that information what they will. The thread is no more than implied, as you rightly say. But, in my opinion, it is only subtly implied.  

In one of the books, GOF I think, Lupin, Moody, and the Weasleys are there at the train station when Harry arrives home to warn the Dursleys that Harry friends will be keeping an eye on him, and mistreatment will have consequences. Was that fair? You darn right it was. 


Steve/bboyminn