Ireth
10-07-2006, 11:25 AM
Chapter Eight: The Potions Master.
This chapter begins with Harry Potter being pointed and stared at by nearly everyone who sees him. It’s particularly difficult for Harry as he ignores the excessive attention given to him while trying to find his way to classes.
A vivid description of the Hogwarts castle with the various quirks of the stairs, ghosts doors and portraits follows.
We are next introduced to Mr. Filch and his cat, Mrs. Norris. Harry and Ron get on his wrong side straight away while trying to force their way through a door that led to the out-of-bounds corridor. Mr. Filch threatens to lock them up in the dungeons for their deed.
Considering the fact that they were only first years who'd lost their way, I'd say it was a little too strict of Mr. Filch to have threatened the dungeons.
Mrs. Norris has quite a reputation too.
Wonder why she's called that? 'Mrs. Norris' isn't exactly what you'd name your cat is it?
The classes they had were Astronomy, Herbology, History of magic, Charms, Transfiguration, Defense against the Dark Arts and Potions.
The professors are described next. Each of them, a brilliant mind.
Professor Flitwick: Excitable
Professor McGonagall: Strict, clever and fair.
Professor Binns: Dedicated (?)
Professor Quirrell: A Joke
Professor Snape: Well that's what the chapter is about isn't it?
The mails arrive that morning and to Harry's immense surprise; Hedwig brings him a note from Hagrid asking them to join him for tea. Good for Harry. He does have something to look forward to, but
Why does Hagrid invite Harry for tea? Does he do this to everyone he happens to know or is it just a privilege accorded to Harry? If so, why?
Potions Lessons are called the worst thing that happened to Harry so far(at least according to him). Harry discovers that his idea about Professor Snape disliking him had been a little 'understated'. Snape hated Harry or at least that's what Harry thought.
The potions master is portrayed as someone who is cold and commanding. He has the ability to 'keep a class silent without effort'.
What would you attribute this to?
It wasn't really a surprise when JKR revealed that Professor Snape was a former death eater in book four, was it? The foundation for that fact starts right here, in this chapter.
Snape picks upon Harry at the start of class itself. While taking the roll call, he pauses at Harry's name and says, "Harry Potter. Our new -- celebrity"
Why does Snape, a professor, much older and definitely more mature a person than the average eleven year old resort to such childish tactics to nettle Harry?
It is not very fair either, to expect a student to know much during his very first class(excepting Hermione, of course). And his final remark, "Tut, tut -- fame clearly isn't everything" is decidedly mean.
How would you explain these actions?
Poor Neville. Melting a cauldron and being covered in boils isn't exactly a great way to start Potions is it?
Why must Snape dock a point from Gryffindor because Harry didn't warn Neville? It wasn't Harry's fault anyway.
At Hagrid's cottage, Ron and Harry get rather comfortable and enjoy their visit until Harry spots the article about the break in at Gringotts'.
He isn't quite convinced that Hagrid was being truthful but goes back to the castle with his pocket weighed down with rock cakes and seeds of curiosity firmly planted in his head.
This chapter begins with Harry Potter being pointed and stared at by nearly everyone who sees him. It’s particularly difficult for Harry as he ignores the excessive attention given to him while trying to find his way to classes.
A vivid description of the Hogwarts castle with the various quirks of the stairs, ghosts doors and portraits follows.
We are next introduced to Mr. Filch and his cat, Mrs. Norris. Harry and Ron get on his wrong side straight away while trying to force their way through a door that led to the out-of-bounds corridor. Mr. Filch threatens to lock them up in the dungeons for their deed.
Considering the fact that they were only first years who'd lost their way, I'd say it was a little too strict of Mr. Filch to have threatened the dungeons.
Mrs. Norris has quite a reputation too.
Wonder why she's called that? 'Mrs. Norris' isn't exactly what you'd name your cat is it?
The classes they had were Astronomy, Herbology, History of magic, Charms, Transfiguration, Defense against the Dark Arts and Potions.
The professors are described next. Each of them, a brilliant mind.
Professor Flitwick: Excitable
Professor McGonagall: Strict, clever and fair.
Professor Binns: Dedicated (?)
Professor Quirrell: A Joke
Professor Snape: Well that's what the chapter is about isn't it?
The mails arrive that morning and to Harry's immense surprise; Hedwig brings him a note from Hagrid asking them to join him for tea. Good for Harry. He does have something to look forward to, but
Why does Hagrid invite Harry for tea? Does he do this to everyone he happens to know or is it just a privilege accorded to Harry? If so, why?
Potions Lessons are called the worst thing that happened to Harry so far(at least according to him). Harry discovers that his idea about Professor Snape disliking him had been a little 'understated'. Snape hated Harry or at least that's what Harry thought.
The potions master is portrayed as someone who is cold and commanding. He has the ability to 'keep a class silent without effort'.
What would you attribute this to?
It wasn't really a surprise when JKR revealed that Professor Snape was a former death eater in book four, was it? The foundation for that fact starts right here, in this chapter.
Snape picks upon Harry at the start of class itself. While taking the roll call, he pauses at Harry's name and says, "Harry Potter. Our new -- celebrity"
Why does Snape, a professor, much older and definitely more mature a person than the average eleven year old resort to such childish tactics to nettle Harry?
It is not very fair either, to expect a student to know much during his very first class(excepting Hermione, of course). And his final remark, "Tut, tut -- fame clearly isn't everything" is decidedly mean.
How would you explain these actions?
Poor Neville. Melting a cauldron and being covered in boils isn't exactly a great way to start Potions is it?
Why must Snape dock a point from Gryffindor because Harry didn't warn Neville? It wasn't Harry's fault anyway.
At Hagrid's cottage, Ron and Harry get rather comfortable and enjoy their visit until Harry spots the article about the break in at Gringotts'.
He isn't quite convinced that Hagrid was being truthful but goes back to the castle with his pocket weighed down with rock cakes and seeds of curiosity firmly planted in his head.