October 2010: The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

Your thoughts

What were your feelings/thoughts while reading this novel?

Choices

In your opinion, did Kit make the right choice in coming to Wethersfield? What might you have done in her place?

themes

What do you think the main themes of this book are?

Sorry

Who do you feel the most sorry for in this novel and why?

Right or wrong?

In her attempt to help both Prudence and Hannah, Kit sometimes disobeys community and family rules. Was that the right thing to do?

Kit and Nat

When did you first suspect there might be something between Nat and Kit? How did Speare craft things so this relationship made sense?

Loyalty

As Kit adjusts to life in her new community, she must often ask herself whom must I be loyal to? How does that parallel our lives in this country today?

Prejudice

In the end, Matthew shows himself to be a law-abiding citizen, even though he is prejudiced against those with different ideas. Do you think it is possible for a good and decent person to have prejudices?

September 2010: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Once again- make sure there are no spoilers of the sequels for those of us reading them for the first time!!

Panem

How does Katniss feel about the country of panem? Why does she need to make her face "an indifferent mask" and be careful what she says in public?

relationships

Describe the relationships of Katniss with Gale, with Prim, with her mother. How do those relationships define her personality? Why does she say about Peeta, "I feel like I owe him something, and I hate owing people."

Stylists

Why are the tributes given stylists and dressed so elaborately for the opening ceremony? Does this ceremony remind you of events in our world, either past or present?

Peeta

Before the Games start, Peeta tells Katniss, "... I want to die as myself... I don't want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I'm not." What does this tell you about Peeta? What does he fear more than death? Is he able to stay true to himself during the Games?

Katniss

Why does Katniss ignore Haymitch's advice to head directly away from the Cornucopia? Did she do the right thing to fight for equipment? What are the most important skills she has for staying alive- her knowledge of nature? her skill with bow and arrow? her tapping ability? What qualities of her personality keep her going? her capacity for love? her intelligence? her self control?

Groups

Why does Peeta join with the Career Tributes in the beginning of the Games? What does he hope to gain? Why do they accept him when they start hunting as a group? Why do groups form in the beginning when they know only one of them will be able to survive?

Partners

What makes Katniss and Rue trust each other to become partners? What does Katniss gain from this friendship besides companionship? Is Katniss and Rue's partnership formed for different reasons than the other group's?

Gamemakers

Discuss the ways in which the Gamemakers control the environment and "entertainment" value of the Games. How does it affect the tributes to know they are being manipulated to make the Games more exciting for the gamblers and viewers? Does knowing she is on live TV make Katniss behave differently than she would have otherwise?

Love

When does Katniss first realize that Peeta does care for her and is trying to keep her alive? When does she realize her own feelings for him? Did Haymitch think all along that he could keep them both alive by stressing the love story? Are they actually in love?

Cruelty

What do you think is the cruelest part of the Hunger Games? What kind of people would devise this spectacle for the entertainment of their populace? Can you see parallels between these Games and the society that condones them, and other related events and cultures in the history of the world?

class struggles

In 1848, Karl Marx wrote in The Communist Manifesto, "The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles." Discuss this statement as it applies to the society and government of Panem. Do you believe there is any chance to eradicate class struggles in the future?

Reality tv

Reality TV has been a part of the entertainment world since the early days of television (Candid Camera, Miss America pageant) but in the 21st century three has been a tremendous growth of competitive shows and survival shows. Discuss this phenomenon with respect to The Hunger Games. What other aspects of our popular culture do you see reflected in this story?

August 2010: Eragon by Christopher Paolini

NO Spoilers!! Since this is a book from a series, if you have read the sequels please do not leave comments with spoilers for those who are reading them for the first time. Thanks.

The egg

What was Eragon's life like before he found the dragon's egg? How did his discovery of the egg change his life? Do you think Eragon found the egg or the egg was deliberately sent to him?

The Spine

Why was Eragon comfortable exploring the Spine when everyone else in his village was afraid of the place? What does the Spine represent to the other inhabitants of Carvahall?

Home

Do you think Eragon will ever be able to return to the Palancar Valley and Carvahall? He longs for his home in the midst of his adventures, but will he return to the farm when his adventures are over?

Responsibility

What does Saphira mean when she says, "It is our destiny to attempt the impossible, to accomplish great deeds regardless of fear. It is our responsibility to the future"? Is this true for everyone?

Angela

Angela the fortuneteller says, "To know one's fate can be a terrible thing." Would you want to know your future if someone could tell you? Why does Eragon decide to hear her predictions?
What does she mean when she says, "That freedom to choose your fate is a gift, but i is also a responsibility more binding than chains."?

Dragon Rider

How does Eragon feel about his fate as a Dragon Rider? What are the benefits of his new life? What are the dangers? Would you choose to take on the responsibilities Eragon has - caring for Saphira, rescuing Arya, helping the Varden, fighting the Empire?

Brom

Why does Brom want to travel with Eragon when he is forced to leave his home? How does Eragon know that he can trust Brom?

Ra'zac

Who are the Ra'zac and what do they represent to Eragon?

Morzan's son

How does Eragon feel when he learns about Murtagh's parentage? Does the fact that Murtagh's father was Morzan affect Eragon's trust of him? Does it affect your feelings about his character?

The Twins

When Eragon finds the stronghold of the Varden, he is confronted by the Twins. Why does Ajihad trust the Twins? Why do they treat Eragon with suspicion?

Shade of Fear

The story begins with the Shade and his ruthless ambush of the elf Arya. How did this Prologue affect your anticipation of the story to come? Why is the Prologue titled "Shade of Fear"?

life experiences

Are there characters who represent pure good and pure evil? Discuss the ways in which an author shows us a character's true nature. How does a character's life experience shape his or her actions?

evildoers

How did Galbatorix establish his rule of Alagaesia? What experiences turned him into a cruel and feared ruler? What do we learn of the Shade's past when he is killed?

hesitency

The Urgals seem to be completely ruthless, yet Eragon is hesitant to kill them with his magic in chapter 30. Why does he only use his magic to stun them? Why is he so upset when Murtagh kills Torkenbrand, the slave trader?

Destiny

Do you feel that some people have a destiny to fulfill or a special reason for living? Name people in history who had a strong responsibility to a cause for good and evil.

Garrow

Could Eragon have prevented his uncle's death?

Eragon's family

Eragon's family is very important to him, although he never knew his parents. Who do you think Eragon's parents were? Why is his father's identity a mystery, and why did his mother bring him to her brother to raise and then disappear?

NO SPOILERS FROM ANYONE WHO HAS READ THE SEQUELS!!

Update

I have no idea why there is a little photobucket thing behind the posts. I fixed the background of the blog because it was all wonky for some reason as well. I will try to figure out this new development .. but for now just ignore it.
Thanks.

July 2010: Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

Choices

Dashti had a choice to go into the tower with Lady Saren. Why did she make that choice? Would you?

One book

If you were going to be locked in a tower for seven years and could take just one book, what would it be?

My Lord the Cat

How did you feel when Dashti sang to My Lord to get him to be loyal to Lady Saren instead?

Dashti

At the beginning of the book, Dashti describes herself simply as "a mucker and a lady's maid", but by the end of the story she has become so much more. When Lady Saren orders her to stay, Dashti muses to herself, "Strangely, her words held no sway over me. Maybe it's wrong, but I don't think I have to do what she says just because I'm a mucker and she's an honored lady" (p. 274). What do you think has brought about these changes in her? What words would you use to describe Dashti?

Lady Saren

Did your feelings about Lady Saren change over the course of the book? Did you like her more or less after they escaped the tower? After they started working in the kitchen? When Saren orders Dashti to stay with her? What do you think brought about her changes?

Dashti and Saren

Describe teh two young women in this story, Lady Saren and Dashti. In what ways are they different from one another? How does each cope with the deprivations of the tower? Why is it left to Dashti to communicate with the visitors who come to the tower?

Dashti's voice

Do you like the way in which this story is told: with Dashti narrating through her journal? How would you describe Dashti's voice- boastful, self effacing, bright, uncertain, strong..?
Does her voice change throughout the story?

Background

How did Dashti's background prepare her to endure the isolation of the tower and the hardships of the Mongolian landscape?

Relationships

Dashti had to weigh her growing feelings for Kahn Tegus vs. her loyalty to Saren. How did you feel about the budding relationship between Dashti and Tegus?

Healing songs

How would you describe Dashti's healing songs- are they poetry, folk lore, magic? What is their purpose: why does Dashti use them , and why would Hale include them as part of the story?

Breath of the soul

"Things worn closest to the skin, to the heart, carry the scent of a person, and of course, scent is the breath of the soul." What might Dashti mean by the last 5 words?

Changing it up

Hale based this book on a Brothers Grimm folk tale, "Maid Maleen", in which the imprisoned lady is the heroine, not her servant. Why might Shannon Hale have changed the heroine in her reworking of the original?

Overview

Does the book deliver in terms of engaging you all the way through? Are characters compelling, is the plot suspenseful, and are you satisfied with how the story ends?

June 2010: Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell

Cranford

What were your overall impressions and thoughts on Cranford?

Matty

Why did Miss Matty say no to Mr. Holbrook?

Lady

Why should the ladies of Cranford be so stirred up by the visit of Lady Glenmire?

Main character

Which characters are most prominent to you? Who do you feel 'owns' the story? Or do you feel there is no one main character?

No men?

What are the features of Cranford that make it essentially a woman's town?Do the women of Cranford actually dislike men?

Elegant Economy

How do the opening paragraphs give a tone to the book? What does the phrase "elegant economy" mean?

May 2010: Touch the Top of the World: A blind man's journey to climb farther than the eye can see by Erik Weihenmayer

overview

What did you take away from this book? Did you enjoy reading it?

His parents

"My father was like a broom, sweeping me out into the world, while my mother was the dustpan, constantly gathering up the shattered pieces and putting me back together again". How do Erik's parents play complementary roles in his early life?

Fitting in

Erik says, "Being included was more important than the fear of getting hurt". How is this statement true for all middle school students, not only blind ones?

camp

In what ways was summer camp a turning point for Erik?

perceptions

How do others' perceptions of Erik's blindness limit him? How do our false perceptions of other people limit our ability to truly see them? What kinds of false perceptions can affect all people, not merely the blind? When have you overcome a negative or limiting stereotype?

Leadership

What is leadership? Erik says, "perhaps leadership was not so much a matter of raw talent, as raw courage". What does he mean by this statement? Do you think he is correct? Whom do you see as true leaders? Are leaders born or can leadership be learned and developed?

It sure is cold.. but at least it's windy

How does Chris's attitude of "positive pessimism" help the climbers deal with a harsh environment? Can you think of areas of your life that you could use it?

Failure

Jeff tells Erik, "When you try big things.. you gotta expect to fail sometimes." Is Jeff right? Can failure, ironically, be a crucial ingredient of success?

Life

Discuss Erik's belief that "life is never meant to be easy; exciting, challenging maybe, rewarding from time to time, but never easy." Is this true for the sighted as well as the blind?

True Summit

"A summit isn't just a place on a mountain. A summit exists in our hearts and minds. It is a tiny scrap of a dream made real, indisputable proof that our lives have meaning. A summit is a symbol that with our force of will and the power of our legs, our backs, and our two hands, we can transform our lives into whatever we choose them to be, whatever our hands our strong enough to create."

Do you believe this? Do you have summits in your heart and mind?

teamwork

" A mountain was such a huge and awesome force compared to the minuscule life of a human, to have a chance of standing on top, we combined our strengths and talents to become a more powerful force than we ever could have been as individuals."

In what ways do the members of Erik's team contribute to each other's success?

Parameters

Erik ends by admitting that part of his pleasure comes from "taking other people's very narrow parameters of what's possible and what's not, and shattering them into a million pieces."

Has reading Erik's life story changed your understanding of the "parameters of what's possible"?

Ellen's will

"He's going to a normal school, with normal children, and even if I have to go to school with him, he's going to learn."

"He's blind. He's not stupid, and he can do better work than this."

"He doesn't need self-esteem... He needs to know how to spell."

How does Ellen Baker Weihenmayer's fierce will influence her son's development?

Carrying our share

"I would carry my share. I would contribute as any team member. I would not be carried up the mountain and spiked on top like a football. If I were to reach the summit, I would reach it with dignity."

When has carrying your share given you a feeling of dignity? Do you agree with him?

Things we can and can't do

"The things I could not do, I would let go; but the things I could do, I would learn to do well."

Have you let yourself do this in your own life? Do you hold on to things you can't do because you want to be able to do everything? Are you able to let go?

Fear

"All my life, fear had paralyzed me."

"The greatest fear is in the reaching."

"A delicate strand of hope balanced by fear, each keeping the other in its place."

What do you fear?

When is reaching frightening?

In what ways do human beings use hope to balance their fears?

What did you learn about fear from reading this book?

April 2010: The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

Your thoughts

How did you feel while reading this book? Did you enjoy the book?

The first narration

The first section moves between the past and present with little more than a change in typeface to signify time shifts. How did you learn to find your way through Benjy's chapter? What is Faulkner saying about time and memory by having Benjy introduce the Compson family story?

Reliable?

Although Benjy is mentally challenged, he is able to recall many conversations and significant moments from his family's past. Discuss some of the events Benjy is remembering. Do you think he is a reliable narrator?

Benjy's name

When Benjy was 5 years old his name was changed from Maury. For what reason was his name changed? What do you think this says about the Compson family values?

MacBeth

The title of the book is taken from the despairing speech in William Shakespeare's MacBeth: "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow/ Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,/ To the last syllable of recorded time/ And all our yesterdays have lighted fools/ The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!/ Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player/ That struts and frets his hour upon the stage/ And then is heard no more. It is a tale/ Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,/ Signifying nothing." At this point in the play, MacBeth has just learned that his wife has killed herself and their plans for seizing the throne will not work out. How are Benjy and Quentin represented in the MacBeth quote? Who do you think is "the idiot"?

Clocks

Why does Quentin refuse to look at watches and clocks? How is time an important theme in the novel so far?

the Italian girl

What does Quentin's incident with the Italian girl signify?

Quentin

Ultimately, why do you feel Quentin commits suicide? Why does Faulkner choose to have Quentin narrate his own section, even though he has been dead for nearly 18 years?

Emphasis on Caddy's life

Benjy, Quentin and Jason each put more emphasis on Caddy's life than can be considered healthy. How does each do this? What happens because of it?

Jasons prevention

Why did Jason prevent Caddy from seeing her own daughter, Miss Quentin? How would you describe Jason's mode of thinking and reasoning?

Mrs. Compson

Mrs. Compson says approvingly that Jason is more Bascomb (her family) than Compson (her husband's). Is this really such a compliment? How do you perceive Mrs. Compson's relationship with her children?

Caddy

While Caddy is presented as maternal and promiscuous, she is also unknowable, given that she can only be glimpsed in the rather unreliable narrations of her brothers. Does she appeal to you as a sympathetic character? Is Caddy's fall the cause of the family tragedy or is she just another child-victim of the abdication of parental responsibility?

Overlooked perspectives

Although this section isn't told from the first person, the third person narration favors Dilsey's perspective. It is also the closest we come to hearing a female voice in the novel. Why do you think Faulkner chose not to have Dilsey, Caddy, Caroline, or Miss Quentin narrate her own section? What do you think they might have said?

What is it about?

What would you say this novel is "about"? Think again about the Macbeth quotation—"[life] is a tale told by an idiot, signifying nothing." What does Faulkner's tale, told four times, signify?

March 2010: The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

Your thoughts

What are your general thoughts on the book and the characters?

Animal personification

What other books have you read that use animal personification? (animals taking on human characteristics) Do you like that?

The mole's actions

Do you think Mole did the right thing by preventing Rat from leaving home to travel with the Sea Rat? At what point does helping a friend cross the line into controlling a friend's actions?

Moral lessons

What moral lessons do you think the author was trying to teach his son through these characters? Which, do you believe, is the most valuable?

Adventure

Discuss the author's point of view on adventure. What is its purpose? What type of adventure does he find most suitable?

Badger

What is it about the Badger's nature that makes him dislike Society

The best animal for a friend

Which of the characters in the book do you think would make the best friend? Why?

Toad's change

Do you believe Toad's change of attitude at the end of the book will last? Why or why not?

Food/Home

Discuss the symbolism of food in the book. What symbolizes home to you?

February 2010: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

The line

There is probably no single line in the whole of Jane Eyre that has, in itself, attracted as much critical attention as the first line of the last chapter; "Reader, I married him."

Why is the phrasing of this line so important? How would the sense be different-for the sentence and for the novel as a whole- if the line read, "Reader, we were married."?

Madness

Scenes of madness and insanity are among the most important plot devices in Jane Eyre. From the vision Jane sees when locked in the bedroom at Gateshead to her hearing the "goblin laughter" she attributes to Grace Poole, to the insanity and wretchedness of Bertha Mason, madness is of central importance to the plot and direction of the story. Give examples of madness in the text, and show how they affect the reader's understanding of the character experiencing the madness and how these examples affect the reader's understanding of the characters witnessing it.

Currer Bell

Upon publication, great speculation arose concerning the identity of the author of Jane Eyre, known only by the pen name of Currer Bell. Questions as to the sex of the author were raised, and many critics said that they believed it to be the work of a man. One critic of her time said, "A book more unfeminine both in its excellence and defects, it would be hard to find in the annals of female authorship. Throughout there is masculine power, breadth and shrewdness, combined with masculine hardness, coarseness, and freedom of expression."

Another critic of the day, Elizabeth Rigby, said that if it was the product of a female pen, then it was the writing of a woman "unsexed". Why was there such importance placed on the sex of the author and why was it questioned so readily? What does it mean that people believed it to be the product of a man rather than a woman?

Two parts

Many readers of Jane Eyre feel that the story is composed of two distinct parts, different in tone and purpose. The first part (chapters 1-11_ concerns her childhood at Gateshead and her life at Lowood; the second part is the remainder of the story. Is creating such a division justified? Is there a genuine difference of tone and purpose between the two sections as they have been described? Some critics and readers have suggested that the first part of Jane Eyre is more arresting because it is more directly autobiographical. Do you find this to be true?

religion

Throughout the novel, Charlotte Bronte uses biblical quotes and religious references. From the church supported school she attended that was run by Mr. Brocklehurst to the offer of marriage she receives from St. John, she is surrounded by aspects of Christianity. How does this influence her throughout her development? How do her views of God and Christianity change from her days as a young girl to the end of the novel? How is religion depicted in the novel, positively or negatively?

Identity

Throughout the novel, questions of identity are raised. From her identity as an orphan and stranger in the hostile environment of Gateshead Hall to that of a ward of the church at Lowood; from her being a possible wife of Rochester, then of St. John, to being the cousin of Diana and Mary, Jane is constantly in transition. Trace these changes in identity and how they affect Jane's view of herself and the world around her. Describe the final discovery of her identity that becomes apparent in the last chapter of the novel and the events that made that discovery possible.

man's worth

In Jane Eyre, nothing can better show a man's moral worth than the way in which he treats the women in his life. How is Rochester's character reflected in the way he treats Jane, Adele, Bertha Mason, and Miss Ingram, and in his reported treatment of Celine Varens? How is St. John's character reflected in the way he treats Jane, Miss Oliver, and Diana and Mary? Why does this serve as such a good gauge of a man's morality and worth? What other relationships serve similar functions in the novel?

January 2010: Little Lord Fauntleroy by Francis Hodgson Burnett

Fauntleroy

How does Cedric deal with his newly found good fortune? What is his reaction when it seems he is about to lose his title? What else has Fauntleroy lost in his life?

Charity

What effect does Fauntleroy's charitable nature have on the Earl- or more specifically, on the things that the Earl does? How do other people view Fauntleroy's deeds, and how does this differ from their opinion of the Earl's actions?

Friends

Does Fauntleroy have the sort of friends that you would expect of a boy his age? Why are Dick and Mr. Hobbs so devoted to their young friend? What role does Mr. Havisham play in Fauntleroy's life?

The father

Although he dies before the story begins, Fauntleroy's father still serves as a sort of character. In what ways is his presence felt? What did Fauntleroy inherit from him?

Dearest

Discuss the character of Fauntleroy's mother. Why does he call her "Dearest"? What does she value? What effect do her decisions have on those around her?

The Earl

What sort of man is Fauntleroy's grandfather, the Earl? What does he want from his grandson? Why is Fauntleroy able to have such an effect on him?

Little Lord

What is it about Fauntleroy that makes him special? Do you think that he was born with these traits, or are they a result of how he has been raised?

December 2009: 1984 by George Orwell

Newspeak

Can you find any examples of Newspeak in our contemporary language?

Room 101

Discuss the idea of Room 101, the place where everyone meets his or her worst fear. Keeping in mind that for most of Winston’s time at the Ministry of Love, he does not know what he will find in Room 101, what role does that uncertainty play in making Room 101 frightening? Does the cage of rats break Winston’s spirit, or does it merely play a symbolic role?

Technology

How does technology affect the Party’s ability to control its citizens? In what ways does the Party employ technology throughout the book?

Winston

Describe Winston’s character as it relates to his attitude toward the Party. In what ways might his fatalistic streak contribute to his ultimate downfall?

Julia

Describe Julia’s character as it relates to Winston. How is she different from him? How is she similar to him? How does Julia’s age make her attitude toward the Party very different from Winston’s?

Doublethink

Discuss the idea of doublethink. How important is doublethink to the Party’s control of Oceania? How important is it to Winston’s brainwashing?

Images and Ideas

1984 is full of images and ideas that do not directly affect the plot, but nevertheless attain thematic importance. What are some of these symbols and motifs, and how does Orwell use them?

Recommendation?

Would you recommend this novel to a friend?

Relatable?

How does 1984 relate to current politics/society/etc.?

Controversy

Why is 1984 controversial? Why has it been banned?

Setting

How essential is the setting to the story? Could the story have taken place anywhere else? In any other time?

Central purpose

What is the central/primary purpose of the story? Is the purpose important or meaningful?

The end

Does the story end the way you expected? How? Why?

Likeable?

Do you find the characters likable? Would you want to meet the characters?

Character

How does George Orwell reveal character in1984?

The conflicts

What are the conflicts in 1984? What types of conflict (physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional) are in this novel?

Title

What is important about the title?

November 2009: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Most popular children's book

The Harry Potter series is the most popular children's book series ever written. Why do you think it is so popular? Why do you think adults and kids both like it?

The professors

Consider the professors at Hogwarts, including Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Quirrell – what does each character stand for? What does Harry learn from each one?

Magical Companion

If you could have one magic companion, what would it be and why? Rat, cat, owl, dragon, unicorn . . .

Harry's advantages/disadvantages

What are the advantages to Harry not having known how special he is before he starts school? Disadvantages? What are some of the instances when Harry acts more like a bumbling Muggle than a great wizard?

sorting hat

What does the episode of the Sorting Hat reveal about Harry? What does it say about fate in the story? Is it always superior to human will?

The Dursleys

1. What are your impressions of Dudley?
2. Why do you think J.K. Rowling depicts the Dursley's as being so terrible?

Dumbledore's knowledge

At the end of Harry’s adventures, when the Sorcerer’s Stone has been safely destroyed, Dumbledore reveals to Harry that he devised the Mirror of Erised in the knowledge that Harry would succeed where Voldemort would fail. This admission raises the question of whether Dumbledore orchestrates other parts of Harry’s adventures too. Does he know, for instance, that the troll will be let into Hogwarts, and does he foresee Harry’s defeat of the troll? Is it possible that Dumbledore has a godlike foreknowledge of the whole story from beginning to end?

Harry and Voldemort

When Harry chooses his wand on Diagon Alley, he finds that the one right for him is the companion wand to the one sold long ago to Voldemort. Why does Rowling choose to emphasize a curious affinity between Harry and his great enemy, Voldemort?

Hogwarts vs. real world

How does the Hogwarts world compare with the Muggle world? Does Rowling want us to make such a comparison?

Dumbledore

Harry has no personal contact with Dumbledore until he is caught in the forbidden room where the Mirror of Erised stands. Why does this first close contact with Dumbledore occur in the mirror room? Is the situation more important than just a routine rule violation by a naughty student? If so, how?

Point of view

Throughout most of the story, we share Harry’s point of view. We see what he sees and experience what he experiences. In the first chapter, however, we are shown Mr. Dursley’s point of view as he drives to work, sees a cat reading a map, and encounters oddly dressed people on the streets. Rowling could have given us a more straightforward third-person story without any particular point of view. Why does she choose to show us Mr. Dursley’s thoughts and reactions in this first chapter?

Surprise results

In Chapter Nine, Harry disobeys a direct order from one of the teachers at the Hogwarts School and takes off on a broom. This infraction is normally cause for expulsion from the school. However, in Harry's case, it brings him the honor of being chosen as the "Seeker" for his Quidditch team. Can you find other instances in the story where Harry's actions lead to quite opposite results from what is expected? To what extent is the book's plot advanced by such surprise turns of events?

Good and evil

Quirrell tells Harry that "There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it" (p. 291). Do you agree with this? Is this the reality of the world? Or if good and evil do exist, what makes them so? Which is more important in the world, power, or good and evil?

Name play

The author has more than a little bit of fun with names in this story. For example, the Professor of Herbology is Professor Sprout, and even the authors of the textbooks Harry must study are puns and riddles. Can you find other examples of this wordplay and show how the names reflect the characteristics of their owners? What about names that are the opposite of what you'd expect? — for example, the huge, terrifying three-headed dog named Fluffy? What effect do you think the author achieves with this name?

Borrowing from fantasy

Many novels of high fantasy borrow from the traditional stories of fairy tales, myths, and legends. The dog Fluffy which guards the trapdoor at Hogwarts School resembles Cerberus, the three-headed dog which guards the underworld of Greek mythology. What other creatures from traditional tales are paralleled in the story? How does each of these creatures play a pivotal role in advancing the plot?

Title chapters

. The title of each of the chapters provides some clues as to what will occur in each. Do the titles tell the whole truth? How do they reveal some of the more symbolic meaning of the story?