The Harry Potter 20 Year Special | Part One
21:00
The Harry Potter 20 Year Special
in celebration of the 20th anniversary of
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
read, discuss and delve deeper into the Harry Potter stories
by (re) reading the books a month at a time with the
P o t t e r m o r e
W i z a r d i n g W o r l d B o o k C l u b
H A R R Y P O T T E R
in celebration of the 20th anniversary of
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
read, discuss and delve deeper into the Harry Potter stories
by (re) reading the books a month at a time with the
P o t t e r m o r e
H A R R Y P O T T E R
AND THE
P H I L O S O P H E R ' S S T O N E
Is the wizarding world as secretive as it likes to believe?
Nah. There's no way that hundreds of wizards pushing through a solid wall just before 11am on September 1st every year goes unnoticed, or that giants/dragons/unicorns, flying objects, or strange men in strange attire don't draw unwanted attention. Despite the extensive magical protection in place to ward off the more curious of the Muggles, I think they have an inkling when they stumble on something a little too bizarre for the simple mind to comprehend, or when they experience something out-of-the-ordinary and struggle to put the pieces together. Erasing the memories of unsuspecting non-wizarding folk can only work so many times, and besides, where would the fun be in having an alternate magical universe if the magic didn't slip through the cracks from time to time...
Why do you think the Dursleys are so afraid of magic?
Because it's not "normal". To the Dursleys, the world is split - very cleanly - into two types of people; the normal, and the abnormal. The Dursleys pride themselves in being the latter and fitting, pretty snugly, into societal norms as the picture perfect, middle-class family that is the very definition of "normal". Anything that chips away at that image of perfection is reason for resentment and fear. They hate that magic is a thing; a living, breathing source of something not normal, something far beyond the scope of imagination and ultimately, something that for the first time, is not in their control. They're afraid of what people would think of them being associated with such a ludicrous concept and the fact that it's now suddenly so close to home through Harry, is outright treachery to their "normal" life that they cling so tightly to.
What makes Hagrid so trustworthy?
Hagrid is so pure. His heart is always in the right place and his intentions are never misplaced even when he screws up. His friendship and attachment to Harry is so genuine, likely stemming from them both feeling a little bit lost in a world in which they feel they don't quite belong. He also never expects anything back. He literally loves Harry unconditionally because their friendship is something he's been missing his whole life - and with it comes an undying sense of loyalty.
In your opinion, what first makes Harry believe he is a wizard?
Holding the phoenix wand for the first time in Ollivander's wand shop; feeling that intense magical energy as it literally chooses him seals the deal for Harry.
What are Draco and Harry's similarities and differences?
Harry and Malfoy are both, fundamentally, lonely. Growing up in emotionally abusive environments, they've never been good enough for the people around them. It's at Hogwarts that they find their true home. Maybe that's why they're so loyal to the houses to which they belong. They also both have a background of privilege, Malfoy because of his wealthy heritage and the reputation of his family, Harry because of his infamous history. But Harry, having experienced life on the other side, never takes it for granted. It makes him selfless and compassionate while Malfoy, who has only ever known a comfortable life, is the polar opposite. He's selfish and used to getting his own way, and he takes after his father in looking down at those who don't match them in wealth and status.
Ultimately, Harry and Malfoy are more similar than different. Their early lives have shaped them into who they are and they just happen to choose different paths in their attempt to find themselves in the wizarding world.
Who learns the most from the "troll in the dungeon" incident?
Hermione. Her tendency to overlook the importance of friendship in favour of academic excellence leaves her feeling isolated and it dawns on her at this moment in the book how unpopular it's making her. It's not until Harry and Ron risk their lives to save her that she realises sometimes, luck and breaking the rules are just as life-saving - if not more so - than knowledge itself.
Is rebellion a good or bad thing at Hogwarts?
Is rebellion a good or bad thing at Hogwarts?
A little rebellion is healthy, especially at Hogwarts. In fact, Dumbledore not-so-subtly encourages it. If it wasn't for students embracing their rebellious side, they would never fully appreciate the art of magic, nor would they be prepared for the risks and dangers that would challenge their magic in the real world.
Do you think the house points system is fair?
I want to say yes because I'm all for Gryffindor winning the House Championship but Heads of Houses being able to gift 50 points to their own house or dock 150 points off a rival house (or a certain Headmaster blatantly turning the tables in Gryffindor's favour...) is more than a little cheeky.
Hermione says friendship and bravery are more important than books and cleverness - do you agree?
Maybe not more
important, but definitely just as. It’s the perfect blend of all four
traits that sees the trio through their misadventures; without Hermione’s
steady flow of knowledge, Harry’s courage, and Ron’s determined loyalty, their
missions would have fallen to pieces (more so than they actually did…)
Is Harry always a good friend in Philosopher's Stone?
I think he tries to
be. Having lived his whole life without knowing true friendship or having
people who unconditionally have his back, when he finds it with Ron and
Hermione he’s determined to treasure it. He doesn’t hesitate when it comes to saving
Hermione from the troll, he shares all his sweets with Ron on the train –
simply because he’s never had anyone to share with and he knows the
feeling of living on the less wealthy side – and he’ll go out of his way to
protect those he keeps close to his heart (ergo the Hagrid-and-Norbert-escape-mission)
even if it means getting into trouble. Being new to the wizarding world means
that his judgement isn’t clouded, nor is his friendship influenced by shallow
matters like blood status. Rather, he appreciates each of his friends for
who they are and what they bring to the table. He makes questionable, sometimes
stupid decisions, but it’s never out of malice or bad intention – he’s always
(or most of the time) looking at the bigger picture.
Is Harry a typical hero?
We can’t deny that
Harry has a hero-complex. But unlike most heroes, he's a reluctant one. He doesn't have elaborate hero antics nor does he have superpowers or a desire to save the world. He is simply walking a path that was carved out for him before he was even born; he's scared out of his wits 100% of the time and winging it all the way. There's a scene in HP film #5 that springs to mind, when they're in the Hog's Head recruiting for the DA, and his acts of heroism are being recounted and admired and he says:
"Wait... look, it all sounds great when you say it like that. But the truth is, most of that was just luck. I didn't know what I was doing half the time, I nearly always had help...facing this stuff in real life is not like school. In school, if you make a mistake you can just try again tomorrow, but out there, when you're a second away from being murdered or watching a friend die right before your eyes...you don't know what that's like."
I think it captures Harry's character perfectly. He is the very definition of anti-hero, and we love him for it.
"Wait... look, it all sounds great when you say it like that. But the truth is, most of that was just luck. I didn't know what I was doing half the time, I nearly always had help...facing this stuff in real life is not like school. In school, if you make a mistake you can just try again tomorrow, but out there, when you're a second away from being murdered or watching a friend die right before your eyes...you don't know what that's like."
I think it captures Harry's character perfectly. He is the very definition of anti-hero, and we love him for it.
What was your standout moment in Philosopher's Stone?
The “troll in the dungeon” scene.
| “There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.”
H A R R Y P O T T E R
AND THE
C H A M B E R O F S E C R E T S
Do you think the Restriction of Underage Magic is a good thing?
In theory, absolutely. We all know the consequences of unrestrained emotion triggering a whole range of magical mishaps and restricting underage witches and wizards from practising magic is only to protect them from hurting themselves and the people around them (and, of course, is key in magical concealment from Muggles - a brood of little witches and wizards running wild in the streets brandishing wands wouldn't bode so well with non-magical folk...). That law has to be there, especially in the case of Muggle-borns but at the same time, I think balance and education is key, and maybe teaching them how to control their magic from a young age isn't such a bad idea.
Why is The Burrow so appealing to Harry?
The Burrow is the first place Harry feels at home. Outside of Hogwarts, he's never known a place where he fully belongs but at The Burrow, he inherits a family. The little band of misfit brothers with their feisty little sister, their eccentric, laid-back father, and their spirited mother become his own. His existence has always been stifled at Privet Drive and so life at The Burrow with the Weasleys who celebrate all things wild and free and instantly make him part of their family, is a liberating welcome.
Where do you think Ron feels most at home?
With Harry and Hermione. Harry and Hermione never knew Ron's brothers, each with a trademark trait that Ron feels the pressure to live up to, and so with Harry and Hermione, Ron has never had to live in the shadows of his brothers. They genuinely see in Ron what others often miss, and for the first time in his life, he finds a place he belongs - right by their side.
Could Harry benefit from listening to Lockhart?
Judging by Lockhart of the books, no. Despite his bold stories of adventure that make him something of a legend back in the day, his words of wisdom that he generously offers up are nothing but waffle. He is blinded by his own fame, guided only by the desire to show off the talents he brazenly claims as his own while being nothing but a coward. Harry is ten times the man that Lockhart is and he's twelve years old.
What are the consequences of fame in the wizarding world?
Wizarding fame is a tricky one but I think isolation is a common theme that accompanies it. Throughout the series, wizarding fame is known to have damaging consequences; we see it with Harry, Lockhart, even Krum. It's still early days in the Chamber of Secrets but as the books progress, Harry feels quite alone in dealing with the pressure that his fame brings him. Krum feels that isolation in a different sense in book four; people only gravitate towards him because of his celebrity status. That isolation plays out a little differently with Lockhart too. He isolates himself by thinking that his magical talent puts him one step above everyone else. Maybe that's why he's so desperate to earn Harry's admiration. He knows his fame is unfounded and I think it makes him deeply insecure..it's why he's so keen to make Harry into a protégé of sorts, in a sort of warped attempt to make him feel less alone and more worthy than he knows he is. In the wizarding world, fame puts you on a pedestal that you can't descend and the pressure builds up as they expect more and more from you. As Ollivander famously says, "I think we can expect great things from you Mr Potter..."
That kind of pressure is enough to make anyone implode.
Does Harry see himself as a celebrity?
No. He hates the attention and it crops up time and time again, noticeably in the bookshop where Lockhart forces him into a photo for the front page and it makes him super uncomfortable, and when Colin Creevey persistently snaps photos of him. I don't think Harry ever feels that being somewhat of a legend in the wizarding world entitles him to privilege, in fact, he pretty much loathes the idea that his parents being murdered by the most notorious Dark wizard of all time makes him famous.
Why isn't Harry afraid of the voices he hears?
He doesn't know any different. Ron, who's grown up in the wizarding world his whole life and whose dad works for the Ministry is acquainted with what's normal and what isn't. Hermione is similarly accustomed to how the wizarding world works from her intense magical research. They both know what marks the Dark Arts. Harry on the other hand is blissfully ignorant; he had a conversation with a python at the zoo, he's seen portraits talk and objects of photographs disappear, he's interacted with poltergeists and walked on moving staircases - what's the small matter of hearing voices in comparison? He puts it down to just another magical manifestation that no one bothered to tell him about and hey, in the wizarding world where practically anything is possible, it must be normal, right?
What was the most important truth revealed in the Chamber of Secrets?
That Lord Voldemort had returned, if not entirely, then in part. It foreshadowed the existence of his Horcruxes and carefully revealed small pieces of information that would later come into play on a much bigger scale.
What questions were left unanswered at the end of Chamber of Secrets?
What kind of sorcery is this!?
Why does Harry share a connection with Voldemort and just how significant is it? How did Riddle preserve himself in a diary and what does it mean for Voldemort's return? What is Riddle's story/how did a sixteen year old preserve himself in a diary and make a mere memory trigger a chain of events that could have ended in murder/what was his end goal/ is Voldemort truly coming back???
TELL ME MORE.
No. He hates the attention and it crops up time and time again, noticeably in the bookshop where Lockhart forces him into a photo for the front page and it makes him super uncomfortable, and when Colin Creevey persistently snaps photos of him. I don't think Harry ever feels that being somewhat of a legend in the wizarding world entitles him to privilege, in fact, he pretty much loathes the idea that his parents being murdered by the most notorious Dark wizard of all time makes him famous.
Why isn't Harry afraid of the voices he hears?
He doesn't know any different. Ron, who's grown up in the wizarding world his whole life and whose dad works for the Ministry is acquainted with what's normal and what isn't. Hermione is similarly accustomed to how the wizarding world works from her intense magical research. They both know what marks the Dark Arts. Harry on the other hand is blissfully ignorant; he had a conversation with a python at the zoo, he's seen portraits talk and objects of photographs disappear, he's interacted with poltergeists and walked on moving staircases - what's the small matter of hearing voices in comparison? He puts it down to just another magical manifestation that no one bothered to tell him about and hey, in the wizarding world where practically anything is possible, it must be normal, right?
What was the most important truth revealed in the Chamber of Secrets?
That Lord Voldemort had returned, if not entirely, then in part. It foreshadowed the existence of his Horcruxes and carefully revealed small pieces of information that would later come into play on a much bigger scale.
What questions were left unanswered at the end of Chamber of Secrets?
What kind of sorcery is this!?
Why does Harry share a connection with Voldemort and just how significant is it? How did Riddle preserve himself in a diary and what does it mean for Voldemort's return? What is Riddle's story/how did a sixteen year old preserve himself in a diary and make a mere memory trigger a chain of events that could have ended in murder/what was his end goal/ is Voldemort truly coming back???
TELL ME MORE.
H A R R Y P O T T E R
AND THE
P R I S O N E R O F A Z K A B A N
Do you think Harry regrets blowing up Aunt Marge?
Aside from not being able to visit Hogsmeade, possible expulsion from Hogwarts, and jail-time in Azkaban, no. There's no love lost between these two and after her awful comments about his parents, I can bet he felt a surge of savage satisfaction as he witnessed her inflated self float off into the night sky.
Aside from not being able to visit Hogsmeade, possible expulsion from Hogwarts, and jail-time in Azkaban, no. There's no love lost between these two and after her awful comments about his parents, I can bet he felt a surge of savage satisfaction as he witnessed her inflated self float off into the night sky.
Was Fudge right to tell the Muggle Prime Minister about Sirius Black?
Yes. They may not be privy to the world of magic, but Muggles do have the right to know if/when their lives are in danger, especially when a raving lunatic has escaped from a high-security wizarding prison and is suddenly on the loose...
Yes. They may not be privy to the world of magic, but Muggles do have the right to know if/when their lives are in danger, especially when a raving lunatic has escaped from a high-security wizarding prison and is suddenly on the loose...
Does Harry believe the Grim is real?
If he hadn't seen Sirius in his animagus form the night he left the Dursleys, it may be a different story but otherwise, yes. He already knows he's walking a dangerous path mapped out by Voldemort's failed attempt at murdering him and his previous two encounters with Voldemort in his fragmented forms; the knowledge that he has an omen of death marking the end of his life simply confirms some of Harry's deepest fears.
Why does Lupin ask Neville to face the boggart?
If he hadn't seen Sirius in his animagus form the night he left the Dursleys, it may be a different story but otherwise, yes. He already knows he's walking a dangerous path mapped out by Voldemort's failed attempt at murdering him and his previous two encounters with Voldemort in his fragmented forms; the knowledge that he has an omen of death marking the end of his life simply confirms some of Harry's deepest fears.
Why does Lupin ask Neville to face the boggart?
Because dear Lupin is the champion of fighting your fears and finding within yourself strength you never thought you had.
Is Cedric more noble than he is competitive?
Yes, Cedric is a true Hufflepuff in nature; he's loyal and determined to always do right by people, and he firmly believes in a level playing field. The greatest thing about Cedric though is that he doesn't do it to prove anything, he simply has a good heart through and through and it's why all of us in the Potter fandom love him so.
Why is Harry so determined to perfect his Patronus?
He hates feeling weak and not in control. Succeeding in conjuring a Patronus would be testament to his strength in overcoming his deepest and darkest tragedies and the unhappiness that the Dementors feed on - that, coupled with the frustration at the Dementors affecting Quidditch which arguably is his favourite part of being at Hogwarts, drives him to perfect it.
Who is the better friend to Harry (when he receives the Firebolt and has it confiscated by Professor McGonagall to have it checked for jinxes) at this point in the story?
This is such a difficult one! I understand where Hermione is coming from, she's always the level-headed, logical one and she instantly worries for Harry's protection which you can't really fault. But I think Ron has a slight edge. He shares Harry's intense passion for Quidditch and I think he understands how Harry's feeling at this point in the book; they suffered a heavy loss against Hufflepuff in which Harry had to deal with not only the horror of the Dementors, but also losing his faithful Nimbus which symbolises so much more than just a broom and the arrival of the Firebolt soothes those blows a little. As much as Hermione is the one who's a little more in touch with her emotions, she missed the mark with this one.
Is Snape right to draw comparisons between Harry and James?
Of course not. I get why he does, it's hard when Harry so much resembles his father who, in Snape's eyes, stole the love of his life and who also made his life a living hell, but it's foolish of him to draw out a childhood grudge spanning decades and punish Harry for James' mistakes. Despite the history between him and James, it's bitterly unfair of him to treat Harry and his father as one and the same.
Is Hermione as close-minded as Trelawney suggests?
In this context, not really. Hermione has always favoured logic and fact over the flimsy art of Divination and to say that it makes her close-minded is probably close-minded in itself. Trelawney doesn't really teach anything that is of use and maybe if they had a competent teacher for the subject, it'd be different but I think Hermione is justified in calling Divination a "woolly subject".
In this context, not really. Hermione has always favoured logic and fact over the flimsy art of Divination and to say that it makes her close-minded is probably close-minded in itself. Trelawney doesn't really teach anything that is of use and maybe if they had a competent teacher for the subject, it'd be different but I think Hermione is justified in calling Divination a "woolly subject".
Has Malfoy inherited the grudges he bears from his father?
Naturally he has. We are, after all, a product of our upbringing and Lucius Malfoy has a heavy influence on the way Draco thinks. He not only inherits his father's grudges, but also his values and beliefs and it's hard to break away from them when it's the only thing you've ever known. He's conditioned to think and act the way he does and it becomes more apparent in the later books when he's conflicted with his family's expectations and making the choice between right and wrong.
Should Lupin have kept his werewolf identity a secret?
Lupin has experienced so much prejudice from society because he is different that it was an almost obvious choice to conceal his identity as a werewolf. The idea that he would be a dangerous member of society and should be avoided at all costs would be so ingrained into the minds of students and parents alike that the risk wouldn't be worth it. It's just easier to live by the saying "what they don't know, won't hurt them".
Naturally he has. We are, after all, a product of our upbringing and Lucius Malfoy has a heavy influence on the way Draco thinks. He not only inherits his father's grudges, but also his values and beliefs and it's hard to break away from them when it's the only thing you've ever known. He's conditioned to think and act the way he does and it becomes more apparent in the later books when he's conflicted with his family's expectations and making the choice between right and wrong.
Should Lupin have kept his werewolf identity a secret?
Lupin has experienced so much prejudice from society because he is different that it was an almost obvious choice to conceal his identity as a werewolf. The idea that he would be a dangerous member of society and should be avoided at all costs would be so ingrained into the minds of students and parents alike that the risk wouldn't be worth it. It's just easier to live by the saying "what they don't know, won't hurt them".
Do the Marauders trust each other?
Unequivocally so. The Marauders are so much more than best friends, they're brothers. James, Sirius and Pettigrew practised and mastered some of the most difficult magic and risked the illegal act of becoming unregistered animagi just so Lupin wouldn't have to go through the devastating effects of his monthly transformations alone and that in itself is testament to just how deep their bond runs.
Unequivocally so. The Marauders are so much more than best friends, they're brothers. James, Sirius and Pettigrew practised and mastered some of the most difficult magic and risked the illegal act of becoming unregistered animagi just so Lupin wouldn't have to go through the devastating effects of his monthly transformations alone and that in itself is testament to just how deep their bond runs.
What was the biggest secret revealed in the Shrieking Shack?
The story, survival and existence of Peter Pettigrew. It was a game changer.
The story, survival and existence of Peter Pettigrew. It was a game changer.
Do you think it is appropriate to give a Time Turner to a model student?
Hermione is the model student and she ran herself ragged keeping up with her insanely heavy timetable with the help of a Time-Turner. In the context of her studies and the toll it took on her mental and physical well-being, it's a no. But if we're looking at whether or not she was trustworthy enough to change the course of history, absolutely. She has her head screwed on right and is more responsible and mature than half the wizards twice her age - if you can't trust her to save your life, who can you trust?
Hermione is the model student and she ran herself ragged keeping up with her insanely heavy timetable with the help of a Time-Turner. In the context of her studies and the toll it took on her mental and physical well-being, it's a no. But if we're looking at whether or not she was trustworthy enough to change the course of history, absolutely. She has her head screwed on right and is more responsible and mature than half the wizards twice her age - if you can't trust her to save your life, who can you trust?
Can a Patronus charm be learned from a book or does it rely on innate talent?
A little bit of both. As with anything, there's only so much you can learn from a book and translating theory into practice takes a fair bit of skill.
A little bit of both. As with anything, there's only so much you can learn from a book and translating theory into practice takes a fair bit of skill.
What was the most important thing Lupin taught Harry?
He taught Harry a great deal of things, to always see the good in people, to not judge a book by its cover, to accept that we are all human in the end...but most importantly, he taught Harry to believe in himself.
He taught Harry a great deal of things, to always see the good in people, to not judge a book by its cover, to accept that we are all human in the end...but most importantly, he taught Harry to believe in himself.
H A R R Y P O T T E R
AND THE
G O B L E T O F F I R E
Why is Mr Weasley so interested in Muggle technology?
Arthur Weasley has an unusually kind heart and open mind. Fascinated by how the Muggle world works, he is one of the rare few who appreciates all walks of life and understands that embracing wizards and Muggles alike builds a fairer, more integrated society.
Are Fred and George's experiments dangerous?
Nah, they take care in making their products (relatively) safe, not only by using themselves as guinea pigs, but also by ensuring that the damage is minimal/non-life threatening. Their little prank on Dudley was pushing it a little but they knew that no real long-term damage would be done and let's face it, he did semi-deserve it...
Does the magical world still surprise Harry?
It always does, the wizarding world is ever-changing even to those who have lived their whole life in it and to Harry, to whom this world is still so new, it never ceases to amaze him the lengths that magic can be stretched to.
Do you agree with Moody's approach to teaching?
I do indeed. It's a little unconventional but also entirely relevant; Defence Against the Dark Arts isn't a subject that can be memorised from a textbook, it takes honing the skills and spells that will save your life when it hangs in the balance and Moody emphasises just that. He prepares them for the dangers that lie in wait in the real world and so while I think that his shady, slightly dangerous teaching methods lie somewhere in a grey area, he kinda has it right with his motto of CONSTANT VIGILANCE!
Was Harry right to have told Sirius his scar hurt?
Absolutely. As he rightly points out, Ron panics and Hermione recommends textbook advice/a visit to Dumbledore whenever his scar is mentioned. Sirius is the perfect middle ground. He's a friend but also a father figure - reassuring, comforting and the one person outside of Hogwarts Harry can trust with his life. It may be a little selfish to risk giving Sirius away but he's only fourteen and both he and Sirius have spent chunks of their lives feeling utterly alone in the world; they finally have someone who cares about them deeply and who will always want to hear from the other. Given everything that they've both been through, they deserve it. Besides, what's life without a little risk...(see what I did there? ;) )
Why is Ron particularly jealous when Harry is chosen as champion?
Ron has lived in the shadow of his older brothers his whole life and for the last three or so years, in Harry's too. The latter doesn't affect him as much though because in the three years that he's known him, Harry never embraces his fame nor does he make Ron feel any less important by his side, and the situations in which Harry is looked at as a hero, are always forced on him - it's never by choice. Being chosen as Triwizard champion suddenly changes that; he believes that Harry actively chose to put himself in the path of "eternal glory" and play hero, and beyond that, chose to keep it a secret from Ron - that, more than anything, is what hurts Ron profoundly.
Do you think Harry wants to compete in the Triwizard Tournament?
Like any other fourteen year old boy, he fantasises about it, but deep down, he's looking forward to just celebrating someone else for a change with Ron and Hermione and enjoying the spectator's experience. He hates being in the spotlight and for the first time in his life, he has the chance to escape it and let someone else take centre stage but I guess that's wishful thinking on his behalf...
Whose side is Hermione on (when Ron and Harry are no longer on speaking terms)?
Neither, though she's leaning (slightly) more towards Harry's. She believes him without question and knows Ron's being an idiot about it but she also empathises with Ron and knows just why he's hurting. She doesn't have a side because she knows how much they both need each other and she just wants them to make up and be friends again.
Why does house-elf treatment particularly bother Hermione?
Because she's no stranger to facing discrimination based on her Muggle-born status and it makes her feel strongly about humans and wizarding creatures alike having justice and equal rights. She also sees it as the equivalent to human slavery. Wizarding kind who have been brought up with the concept of house elves their whole lives, struggle to see anything wrong with house elf enslavement and them having no entitlement to basic rights while Hermione sees it for what it is and refuses to take it sitting down.
How important is the tradition of the Yule Ball as part of the tournament?
I can see why it's emphasised; it encourages students from across different schools to break away from their usual cliques and connect with others from different walks of life. I can imagine it's easy to be boxed away in the wizarding world, to be only surrounded by magical folk of a certain calibre and The Yule Ball is designed to just let the students appreciate people from different magical backgrounds. (Though for the fair bit of drama it caused, I'm sure Harry & Co would be inclined to disagree...)
Is Professor Grubbly-Plank the better teacher?
Sigh. Yes. BUT I'm talking strictly from an academic perspective; I do think Hagrid's genuine love and enthusiasm for magical creatures goes a long way...it just backfires on him more often than not.
Is it fair that Harry receives extra points for the second task?
I've always thought that Harry was a bit of an idiot for taking the second task so seriously and not knowing that of course Dumbledore wouldn't let an innocent girl die at the bottom of the lake *rolls eyes*
Controversial, but I'm going with no.
Was Barty Crouch right to turn in his own son?
I think this one is a morally grey area. It can't be easy handing your own son over to a fate worse than death and though it comes across as callous and downright cruel, I can understand why he had to do what he did. They were living in a time of Voldemort's reign; the crimes committed were simply barbaric and inhumane and I can only imagine the devastation of finding out that your own son had a hand in inflicting some of that terror on innocent people - and then facing the conflict of either doing what's legally right, or losing him in the worst way possible to uphold the justice system and keep the public safe in the knowledge that the Ministry are doing everything in their power to punish those deserving of it. And while Barty Crouch shows zero emotion when delivering the sentence, I think that's in part because he's just not an expressive human being..it's easy to see that it took its toll on him and I don't think anyone could say that not a day passes where he doesn't think about the choices he was forced to make.
Does Winky complicate the argument the moral argument behind SPEW?
Absolutely. Of course Hermione has her heart in the right place, but she doesn't seem to grasp the idea that some house elves - as Ron points out - are happy in their trade. Granted, that's because maybe they don't know any different, nor do they know the rights they're entitled to, but Winky's case is proof that house elves need to be educated before they can take on the decision of whether or not they'd like their freedom. After all, if it's rights that Hermione's fighting for, she has to know that they have the right to choice. They have the right to know what exactly SPEW stands for, and then use that knowledge to make an informed decision on what they want - and if they still choose to remain in servitude to wizarding families, that's okay too.
Why do Cedric and Harry want to share the Triwizard prize?
They both genuinely believe that the other deserves it. They have a genuine admiration and respect for one another and they each believe that they can celebrate that by making it a double victory which would be a Hogwarts victory all the same. Harry's never wanted fame or glory, and he was forced into the competition which makes him feel that Cedric deserves it, while Cedric believes that he wouldn't be a contender for the competition without Harry's help with the dragons. I guess, ultimately, both uphold their respective House traits of integrity and loyalty.
Why do you think Voldemort wants to duel Harry?
Voldemort is a man (?) of ego. He needs to prove to himself, his followers, and the rest of the wizarding world that he is truly the greatest Dark wizard of all time...that The Boy Who Lived is legend no more and finally put to bed the humiliation of suffering defeat at the hands of a mere baby.
Is Harry more lucky than he is skilled in magic?
Luck definitely turns the tables in Harry's favour nine times out of ten. But it's easy to forget that he single-handedly fought off Voldemort not once but twice, he killed the basilisk, he's capable of producing a Patronus which is no easy feat for even the most skilled of wizards, he fights off the Imperious Curse...I think he (and a lot of the fandom) underestimates himself but his determination always proves to be one of his greatest strengths. Sure, he relies on the advice and knowledge of Ron and Hermione, and he sometimes needs nudging in the direction but he does have a knack for some pieces of magic (and he proves just how much when it comes to leading the DA the following year...)
Why does Fudge refuse to believe that Voldemort has returned?
Denial and fear; not only is he terrified to accept the impossible, but he also worries that his job is going to become infinitely more difficult in ways that he fears he won't cope with.
Did Barty Crouch Jr. deserve his fate?
He was handed over to the Dementors to be given the Dementor's Kiss without a trial and if we look at it from a moral/ethical perspective, he should have had the right to a fair trial. But this is the Death Eater who literally facilitated the return of the most notorious Dark wizard of all time..who crafted and schemed and paved the path for Harry to walk right into Voldemort's trap..who committed and remained unfazed by the cruel Dark arts (let's not forget the horrible way in which he made Neville re-live the tragic fate of his parents) - there's no coming back from that. You can't really fault the decision of letting the Dementors have their fun when you can hardly argue that he didn't deserve it.
Is your view of the wizarding world different after reading Goblet of Fire?
If anything, it's the politics of the wizarding world that truly come to light in this book. It's almost incredible how J K Rowling highlights the damaging influence news outlets/media can have and how much power they can actually hold...and just how much we can never place our trust in corrupt governments who will almost always go out of their way to hide or disprove the truth...
0 comments