Joe’s Comments (group member since Mar 05, 2024)

Joe’s comments from the Fast Moving Killas group.

Why don’t we have a town dog-slayer (knacker) anymore?

In response to Tony’s question:

Yes, ChatGPT did write this

My response is to Tony’s question:

Nothing ever happens

In response to Ethan’s question:

I believe he would not have found the hidden platform entrance and would have become stranded at Kings Cross Station. With the Dursleys already home and under the assumption that Harry was off to Hogwarts, he would be stuck in the middle of London, penniless and without adult supervision. It’s sad to think what may happen under these circumstances, but suffice it to say, things would not end well for a lone 11 year old boy on those streets…

In response to Ryan’s second question:

I believe that hagrid is both too trusting and loose-lipped with the secrets that have been entrusted to him. As a result, he often slips information to Harry and crew which they should not know under normal circumstances. While Rowling presents this as a minor flaw of an otherwise lovable character who only wants the best for the gang, these mishaps more often than not put them in grave danger. For example, inadvertently enticing them to search out what’s under fluffy which almost costs them their lives. Additionally, why does he have a three headed murder dog anyways? Is he trying to get someone killed? And why does he have the kids escort his fire-breathing, man-eating dragon baby which is already too much for him to take care of? He clearly has a disregard for the safety of the students of Hogwarts!

Wow what an ending, to both the story and our own adventures through these discussion posts. I feel that this final chapter really laid out some important themes and messages that may not have been caught on a first read through. Here’s a few questions I have that will hopefully provide a deeper look into the author’s motivations behind the story.

While solving the puzzles to reach the philosophers stone what strengths do Harry, Ron, and hermoine contribute? Why was Harry able to see the stone through the mirror but not Quirrel? What does this reveal about Harry’s character? Also what did Harry mean by “I’m gonna have a lot of fun with Dudley this summer…”?

The story has really started to pick up and so much has been covered that I would like to throw in two questions:

The first concerns chapter 14 Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback. I’d like to know what you all thought of this chapter. To me it felt like an unnecessary sidetrack from the main story of uncovering the secret behind the philosophers stone. It all felt like an unnecessary risk for Harry et al. to deliver a dragon that could get them thrown out of Hogwarts.

The second question is about the mirror of erised. What does harry see in the mirror and why does Dumbledore consider the mirror’s powers to be dangerous? What does this reveal about Harry as a character? I believe it serves as an example that even the best of wizards can still fall prey to evil. And for a little fun, what do you think you’d see if you looked in the mirror?

So much has happened in these past five chapters—the arrival at Hogwarts, Harry joining the quidditch team, the conflicts with professor Snape—making hard to pick just one question to ask but here we go:

Why do Harry and Ron dislike Hermoine in the beginning? What happens in chapter 10 that changes the dynamic between the three of them? What strengths (and weaknesses) does she bring to the trio and how do you foresee her addition affecting the story moving on?

I have a response to Ethan’s question:

On page 80, Harry and Hagrid are shopping for Harry’s school books at the store Flourish and Blotts. When Harry picks up a book titled Curses and Countercurses to purchase, Hagrid denies him stating, “Yer not to use magic in the Muggle world,” and that “yeah’ll need a lot me study before yeh get ter that level”.

I have some questions concerning the family Dursley:

What is their relation to Harry Potter?
Why do they treat Harry so poorly and not accept him as family? Is this justified?
Do you believe it is right for them to keep Harry’s powers a secret from him?