Chapter Discussion: Twenty, Goblet of Fire: The First Task

[Geoff]

No: HPFGUIDX 192346

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "dumbledore11214" <dumbledore11214 at ...> wrote:

dumbledore11214:
> Chapter 20. The First Task.
> 
> Harry shares with Hermione that the first task will include Dragons and they try
> to find spells which could be useful to deal with them. Harry decides that since
> Cedric is the only champion who does not know yet about Dragons, it will be only
> fair to warn him, which he does.
> Moody gives Harry useful advice about playing to his strengths during the task
> and finding a nice spell to get what he needs. Harry figures out that he needs
> to get his Firebolt and do some flying. He spends the remaining time practicing
> the Summoning Charm with Hermione.
> The first task comes and it turns out that the Champions must get the Golden
> Egg, which is guarded by a dragon. With different degree of skill and success they
> manage to do so. Harry indeed shows to everybody that he is an excellent flyer
> and gets the Egg faster than anybody else, however he is hurt and the marks from
> the judges make him and Krum tied in the first place.
> Ron comes around – he tells Harry that whoever put his name in the Gobblet was
> trying to kill him. Harry is so happy that he feels that he does not even need
> to hear Ron's apology.
> Ludo Bagman tells the Champions that they now have the long break before the
> Second Task  to figure out how to solve the clue inside the Golden
> Egg. 
> 
> Question:
> 1. Every Champion was warned about the Dragons by their Elders, and Harry took
> care of Cedric. Did you think that cheating make the task less interesting/exciting or not? Why?

Geoff:
I don't think this is relevant to the question insofar as the task will be 
dangerous and therefore exciting whether the candidate knows what is 
coming or not. Admittedly, as the old saying has it:"Forewarned is forearmed". 
The element of surprise is then missing.

Following on from that, in a strange way, the cheating makes it fairer by 
creating a level playing field for each competitor. Harry, in a sense, mirrors 
this in his conversation with Cedric:

'"Why are you telling me?" he (Cedric) asked.
 Harry looked at him in disbelief. He was sure Cedric wouldn't have asked that 
if he had seen the dragons himself. Harry wouldn't have let his worst enemy
face those monsters unprepared - well, perhaps Malfoy or Snape.

"It's just... fair, isn't it? he said to Cedric. "We all know now... we're on an 
even footing, aren't we?"'
(GoF "The First Task" pp. 298/99 UK edition)

Harry sees that, for the benefit of fair play - a tradition enshrined in British
ideas of sportsmanship - if the others know, then so should Cedric. In spite of 
the attempt of Karkaroff - presumably for the glory and honour of Durmstrang, 
and the fact that Hagrid is bringing Madame Maxine for her interest - and maybe 
some clumsy courting? - is producing the potential for differing risk for the 
contenders, Harry is having none of this. It has to be equal.

dumbledore11214:
> 3. What did you think about Harry's reaction to Ron's apology?

Geoff:
I thought that it was a perfectly understandable response. Here is a so-called 
friend who ostracised Harry because he thought that Harry was grabbing 
the fame and, realising that this was more than an inter-house sports match,
comes and gives a rather lame apology and expects Harry to be all over him
welcoming him back. Harry does rapidly mend fences but, in a similar situation,
I think I would leave Ron to stew for a bit.

dumbledore11214:
> 4. I thought this chapter had some of the funniest lines in the book. Which were
> your favorites?

Geoff:
One which comes to mind is the last comment in the chapter:

'"Congratulations, Harry!" she (Skeeter) said, beaming at him. "I wonder if you 
could give me a quick word?..."

"Yeah, you can have a word," said Harry savagely. "Goodbye."'
(ibid. p.316)

Payback's nice - sometimes. :-)

dumbledore11214:
> 5. Please add your own question.

Geoff:
6. In the conversation with Moody (p.301 UK edition), Moody says to Harry
that he is not going to tell Harry how to get past his dragon because he doesn't
show favouritism but then says he is going to give him some good, general
advice.

Is what he says and what he does contradictory? What do you think he might 
have done, if the penny hadn't dropped with Harry and he realised what Moody 
was driving at?