Wednesday, January 23, 2013

blog # 1 prompt 2- The Snake Whisperer


As you read “Harry Potter and the Sorcerous Stone” and “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”,  the readers expectations are constantly evolving.  The first two books foreshadow many events to come, but never truly shed light on the full picture.  Through literally clues, we are given glimpses into the future of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.  Having read the whole series, it is much easier to spot the clues in book one and two, that foreshadow that future.  The obvious being the return of Lord Voldemort.  In the “Sorcerer’s Stone” we meet Lord Voldemort for the first time.  Already we are shown that Voldemort is looking for a way to rise again, and that he will do anything to get there.  The biggest expectation raised in book one though, is by Dumbledore.  As Harry asks Dumbledore why Voldemort couldn’t touch him, and why he attacked his parents that night, Dumbledore says,”When you are ready to know you will.”  He also mentions that Harry could not be touched by Quirrell because of love.  This conversation raises the expectation that Harry and Voldemort will meet again and that there is something much deeper between their relationship. It also raises the expectations that Harry might have certain skills needed to finally beat Voldemort. By giving this expectation in the first book, J.K. Rowling is setting herself up to raise expectations that the next book might have the answers Harry is looking for.  It builds suspense to the reader. 

            In “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”, Harry embarks on his second year at Hogwarts.  We quickly learn that he can talk to snakes, like Voldemort.  This raises expectations, that Harry and Voldemort are more similar than we think.  Again we see Voldemort, which fulfills a partial expectation, that we will continually see Voldemort in the stories.

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