Follow Up

In the world of Harry Potter, the teachers don't listen to the children enough so they are forced to go it alone to save the day. This is a mechanism to allow the story to progress, but I think the idea of appropriate rebellion is still an interesting one.

When is it okay for Harry and his friend's to rebel? Are all their rebellions throughout the series appropriate? If they are misguided but still rebelling for a good reason how do we seem them? Do we seem them as morally sound but misguided in the details, or as morally misguided?

On page 331 of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, we see Dumbledore, who had by now become the unofficial person to look to when it comes to morals in the Harry Potter series, say that Harry and Ron were not going to get punished for breaking the rules, but instead, rewarded. Dumbledore seems to think, as we the readers inevitably do as well, that people should follow the spirit of the rules, and not the letter.

Ideas to consider in the future

As I was going through my morning riutine, I came up with a few thoughts that I think the HP seminar should continue to think about as we read the rest of the books:

Harry's effect on other people, both negative and positive, especially people other than Hermione and Ron. Consider both his actions, and his fame.

Again, rebellion; what purpose does it serve, and why don't Harry, Hermione, and Ron try to make teachers listen harder, especially now that they have been proved capable and right two times?

More to come soon after class.