1. How is Book I of Harry Potter an example of a ‘frame story’?
The book Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone is an example of a frame story as it begins away from Hogwarts, where it eventually leads. Harry Potter stays at home for the summer with his aunt and only remaining family, where he does not get to use his magic or skills as they are forbidden by his relatives the Dursley’s. The story depicts Harry Potter's life away from magic and adventure, which is lonely and miserable. The first story separates Harry Potter from the magic and magical encounters, which brings out a dull tone. Therefore, the first story represents the secondary story setting the stage for the official story where Harry Potter is back at Hogwarts.
The second story, which is the main or primary story begins when Harry sees his friend Ron outside the house. The two friends begin an epic adventure back to Hogwarts, where they fly back to school in a car. Harry and Ron both get detention as their car lands conspicuously, causing a big mess that gets the school administration's attention. The journey to Hogwarts and encounters at Hogwarts makes up the primary story in the book, which is inevitable from the general theme of magic in the Harry Potter series.
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2. Compare and contrast attitudes about Harry’s unusual abilities and talents within the muggle world before he goes to Hogwarts and at Hogwarts .
The muggle world consists of the majority of non-magical individuals in the Harry Potter Series. Though there are two worlds in the series comprising of magical and non-magical individuals, most of the magical world is hidden from the rest of the world, creating a peaceful coexistence. At the beginning of the book Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets, Harry is miserable in the muggle world because, unlike the muggles, he has supernatural abilities and skills that make life more adventurers. Both worlds have strict rules and guidelines regarding magical and non-magical activities. Before Hogwarts, Harry did not discover his abilities unlit a later stage around when 11 years old. The Dursley’s Harry's relatives who raise him fear magic and raise Harry in a magic-free environment where he grows knowing that magic is a children's fairy tale and is less concerned. After learning about his abilities and going to Hogwarts, Harry is still not allowed to use his magic in the muggle world. The Dursleys regard magic as evil and restrict its use in their home or anywhere in the muggle world.
3. Harry is a misfit in the muggle world of his aunt, uncle, and cousin (and their neighbors), but at Hogwarts, he is accepted and admired. How does this suggest the importance of tolerance of those who may fit in one place but not another? Can you think of a real-life example of someone like Harry, who is a misfit in one setting but a good fit in another?
Harry is a misfit in the muggle world because of his unusual abilities that make him unique and extraordinarily gifted. However, his aunt and uncle do not encourage the application of his abilities in the muggle world as they only lead to chaos. Harry's story is reflective of individuals in the world or society who are misfits in one place and admired in another setting. An example of such is Albert Einstein, the world's most famous scientist of all time. Einstein was a misfit during his time. Even at an early age, he got expelled from school and was ridiculed by his teachers. Because of his high intellect, he was less understood during his time and, to an extent, considered crazy and unpopular. Einstein would later win the Nobel Prize and become a great scientist in history. Currently, Einstein is regarded highly because of his discoveries and theories that guide modern science. He is a hero in the world of science, contrary to perceptions during his time.
4. Compare and contrast Hagrid’s appearance on Harry’s eleventh birthday and Harry’s strange subsequent journey to Hogwarts (a sort of initiation into a new world or ‘coming of age’ experience) with some similar experience in real life or fiction in which someone symbolically moves from childhood into the beginning of maturity. Examples could be a bar or bas mitzvah; King Arthur’s sword in the stone experience; a Navaho Sunrise Ceremony; a quinceanera celebration; or even something or other from popular fiction (the boy learning and keeping a grisly adult secret in John Grisham’s The Painted House ) .
Hagrid’s appearance on Harry’s eleventh birthday was symbolic of the inevitable destiny the Dursley’s tried to hide from their nephews. The time to reveal a new chapter in life had reached, and Harry had to discover his true purpose and abilities that were hidden from him. The appearance of Hagrid and the journey to Hogwarts was an initiation ritual into the world of magic. Along the journey, Hagrid reveals a bit of magic as he guides Harry into the magical world, helping the young boy overcome various challenges to test his character and ability. Hagrid is similar to the famous American film Star Wars. In Star Wars, Luke Skywalker is separated from his friends and family by the Imperial forces led by Darth Vader. Luke is left with no option but to follow the lead of Obi Wan Kenobi, who becomes his mentor and teacher on the ways of the Jedi. This story is similar to the initiation journey of Harry Potter, where he is separated from his family to discover a new life where he becomes a wizard.
5. Give three (3) separate examples of how learning at Hogwarts is similar to any other school. Also briefly explain why:
Similar dressing
All students at Hogwarts are required to dress the same with means that there is a standard student uniform similar to that of British schools. British schools have their student wear a standard uniform to create a sense of equality.
School transportation
Students at Hogwarts are picked by the Hogwarts Express and taken to schools. This is similar to the culture in most schools where students are picked up by a school bus and taken to school.
Bulling
Like muggle schools, bullying also occurred at Hogwarts, where famous students would pick on the quire and unpopular students.
6. Give three (3) separate examples of how learning at Hogwarts is NOT similar to any other school. Also briefly explain the differences:
Meals
The meals at Hogwarts are feasts compared to the bread and milk cartons offered in regular schools. Students get to enjoy a nice meal, similar to a full banquet.
Grouping
Students are Hogwarts grouped and stereotyped according to their dressing, which differs.
Houses
Students are also grouped into four major houses that distinguish them and even cause rivalries. These houses determine learning and all other school activities.
7. Compare and contrast teaching styles of two (2) separate Hogwarts professors in either Book 1 or Book 2 (or one from each book). Which teacher is better, and why? Or if both are equally effective or ineffective why is this?
The two best teachers at Hogwarts are Remus Lupin and Minerva McGonagall. Lupin taught the subject of defense against the Dark Arts. Lupin was able to explain much about the Dark Arts while exerting control. Though he had a dark side, his classes were exciting as he taught with many demonstrations of spells and magical techniques. Lupin always aimed to make his lessons interactive to enhance understanding of the Dark Arts and defend against it. On the other hand, Professor McGonagall taught Transfiguration, the ability to change one's form, and is considered the brightest wizard of her time. Professor McGonagall's technique was more of a theoretical approach whereby she allowed the class to understand Transfiguration's process with some level of demonstration critically. She also exerted authority and fear, which influenced her teaching method. Both methods by Lupin and McGonagall are different yet effective as the two were the best in their respective fields.
8. In Books 1 and 2 Harry must spend more time in the muggle world (summers) than Ron. Is this an advantage to Harry’s development, a disadvantage, both, or neither?
Spending more time in the muggle world was both an advantage and a disadvantage for Harry Potter. The muggle world taught Harry many things, including humility and resilience, whereby Harry retrains himself from using magic and coexists with other muggles without exposing his abilities. Harry also values the aspects of trust formed through the friendships he makes among the muggles growing up. Growing up without magic gave Harry the confidence he required to pass the challenges in the magical world. Growing up in the muggle world also had its disadvantages, including the ignorance of the magic world. Harry was brainwashed by his uncle and taught not to believe in magic from an early age. The muggle world limited Harry from discovering his potential and true purpose. The muggle world was a disadvantage to Harry as it made him weak because he did not know the evils of the magical world.
9. Do you consider it more of an advantage or more of a disadvantage for Harry that his deceased parents James and Lily, and the heroic way they died are well known and remembered at Hogwarts? Explain.
The heroic death of James and Lily, Harry's parents, was an advantage to Harry because it garnered him some respect in the school. Their death was an advantage as it also helped Harry become brave emulating his parents' sacrifice. Harry's parents' death was also a disadvantage to Harry as he had to live up to their name and become a great wizard, which proved a challenging task in his early years. Their death also became a disadvantage to Harry because he became angry after realizing how his parents died. The Dursley’s had hidden their death to protect Harry from understanding his dark origins which made him angry and less focused. The anger that cropped up fueled most of the be defiant behavior Harry Potter portrays in the series. Eventually, Harry understands the sacrifice his parents had to make, which enables him to focus on being the best in honor of their memory.
10. In the real world, the ghosts of dead people do not usually interact verbally with individual students or groups of students. Give two (2) examples, one from Book 1; and one from the first half of Book 2, of how this is totally different at Hogwarts.
1. (Example from Book 1)
In the book Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone, several ghosts appear in class and engage the students. The ghosts first scream to get attention and later talk to the student about their experiences and houses in Hogwarts.
2. (Example from Book 2)
One of the ghosts in the book Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets is Myrtle Warren or Moaning Myrtle. Myrtle was a student at Hogwarts who was murdered by a Slytherin’s Monster. Myrtle occasionally talks to Harry and Ron about her death, often giving them clues about the culprit. Myrtle also talks to other students at Hogwarts, even giving them clues to some of the challenges they undertake.
11. In some works of literature a guide (a father or mother figure; teacher; religious figure; or advisor or friend) helps the main character. Orpheus guides Eurydice in the underworld (partly); Aeneas is helped by Jupiter. Dante has Virgil, then Beatrice. Jim guides Huck down the river. Explain how in Book 1, Hagrid, and then Albus Dumbledore are guides for Harry.
In the Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone, Hagrid and Dumbledore act as guides for Harry helping him throughout his wizardry journey. Hagrid first visits Harry during his eleventh birthday and is disappointed that the Dursley’s never told Harry about his past and abilities. From this point, Hagrid takes it upon himself to mentor and guide Harry during his journey to Hogwarts. Hagrid guides Harry through the magical journey introducing him to the world of magic and showing him more care than he received from the Dursleys.
Dumbledore is also a critical guide in Harry's journey in the world of magic as he was also present during Harry’s eleventh birthday. Dumbledore is the headmaster at Hogwarts but takes a specific interest in Harry taking a direct approach and influence on his education. As a mentor, Dumbledore understands that Harry must find out his true character and, therefore, figure things out on his own and learn from his mistakes with guidance to build his character and assertive approach in the magical world.
12. Briefly compare and contrast Harry, Ron, and Hermione and explain what holds their friendship together through thick and thin.
Harry Potter is more conservative and timid due to the emotional abuse he received from his uncle to were adamant about swaying him from any imagination of magic. His life with the Dursleys rendered him weak and less assertive because of the unfair treatment he received from his relatives. Ron was more aggressive and talkative compared to harry and always liked to argue. A strong bond was establishing when Harry and Ron met for the first time from the blend of their personalities, which complemented each other. However, the two boys did not like Hermione from her first impression. Hermione appeared bossy, talkative, and very annoying, which was not appealing to Ron and Harry. The collective disapproval towards Hermione created another bond that established the relationship between the three friends. Ron mostly influenced Hermione's disapproval because of the similarity between his extroverted personality and that of Hermione. Harry acted as a mediator between the two trouble makers strengthening their bond even more.
13. In Books 1 and 2, good food and drink is always served in Hogwarts’ banquet hall; at the Leaky Cauldron and at other places the Hogwarts crowd gathers. But there is also much happening in each of these scenes besides eating. Choose one eating scene from Book 1 or Book 2 and analyze what else is happening and its importance to the story
The banquet hall of the Great Hall was the main area where students and teachers gathered for meetings and dining. The Great hall hosted various feasts, including the Welcoming feast of the start of term feast held to mark the beginning of a new school year. Apart from dining, other activities that were carried out in the great hall included critical discussions and speeches about the new year and announcements about new changes, including additions to the staff. The hall was also used to showcase some of the magic in the school and also participate in singing. The great hall also served as a temporary morgue during the battle at Hogwarts, where the wounded were also treated in the great hall. The importance of these uses of the banquet hall was to symbolize the unifying element of the hall and how it often brought together everyone at Hogwarts.
14. The Harry Potter books are marketed to Young Adult (YA) readers, i.e., older children and younger adolescents. But people of all ages read them. Explain one or more factors that account for Harry Potter’s appeal to all.
The Harry Potter series appeals to all ages for several reasons, including the immersive and interactive plot. The fact that the books include magic, which is fiction makes them more interesting and captivating to readers of all ages. The adventures of Harry Potter throughout the series appeals to the readers as they can understand the various challenges and solutions highlighted in the books. The series is interesting as it peaks into the reader's mind creating a wild sense of imagination from the artifacts in the book to the diverse range of characters used. The story is also dramatic, which hooks the reader immediately appealing to any age. The story itself reflective with themes like family whereby Harry loses one family and gains another, which relates to modern life experiences.
15. The Harry Potter books have been described as mysteries, detective stories, horror stories, 'coming of age' stories, or combinations of some or all of these. Which of these genre(s) (mystery; detective; horror, or some other(s)) does Harry Potter best fit, and why?
Harry Potter fits in all the three categories of mystery, detective, and horror. The series describes Harry Potter and his friends' encounters, leaving a sense of mystery in some areas. One such part in the mysterious books is in the book Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets, where Harry and his friends begin the search for Myrtle Warren's killer. During their search, they discover a creature in the chamber of secrets from Aragog’s recollections that he refuses to mention. The search for Myrtle Warren's killer also portrays the books having a detective element. Harry and his friends are determined to discover all the details about Myrtle Warren's murder to corroborate the story. The Harry Potter series can also be described as a horror genre as it features various mythical creatures, magical creatures, and ghosts, among other scary elements in works of fiction.
16. Author J.K. Rowling has said in various interviews that the Harry Potter books are about death. Choose one scene from either Book 1 or Book 2 and analyze how the theme of death is expressed within this scene.
The theme of death is prevalent in the Harry Potter series from the death of Harry's Parent James and Lilly at the beginning. James's and Lilly's deaths are expressed as a loss of Harry's biological family and the beginning of the new families that Harry acquires, including his relatives the Dursley’s and his friends Hogwarts, considered family. James and Lilly's death also initiates the central conflict in the story Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone. The death of Harry's parents fuels his determination to defeat Voldemort. In the book Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone, Harry gets the stone in the end because he does not intend to use it compared to Voldemort, who also seeks it to extend his life. At this point, Harry reflects on Voldemort's plight. Voldemort is cursed for eternity, yet he finds the stone to prolong his life, puzzling Harry. According to Harry, death is a better option than an eternal curse. Dumbledore also supports this view, which states that death is the next great adventure to a sane person.
