April's Lesson And Assignment, Due By April 30th

[Prof. Nina Atlas]

Fascinating Literary Qualities

The Harry Potter novels are literary classics that have nurtured our thirst for adventure, entertainment, and instructive storytelling. The complexity of the novels’ structure, plots, characterizations, language, and themes inspire further intensive and elaborate analysis of each component. All of which can be integrated in the unifying concept that imagination is the true source of magic to comprehend, coexist with, and cultivate humanity.

Language

J.K. Rowling’s sense of humor and history create a literary style unique to Harry Potter. She uses playful words and names, as well as penning puns that are sarcastic at times, yet are also sophisticated blends of intellectual insights and wit, which allows her to invent a setting both funny and frightening. Rowling uses a jargon unique in the Harry Potter novels, which includes the bureaucratic names of decrees and warnings that are issued by the Ministry of Magic. This helps add to the concept of a fantastical world that is receptive to supernatural occurrences and bizarre dwellings.

Considered to be a closed society, the wizard realm is depicted through language and tone that seem exclusive, welcoming only individuals deemed to have magical potential. Through Rowling’s literary techniques, Hogwarts is designed to be inclusive, inviting readers to become apart of the story.

Developing a Plot

Another stylistic technique is Rowling’s ability to scare readers and create suspense by carefully pacing the plot to keep Harry and others in jeopardy for long durations. She also tends to end each book with a cliffhanger. Within the novel, stories intertwine confusing clues and tantalizing twists. It’s also been noticed that confrontations are not rushed and are fully developed, often repeating key statements and concepts that clearly illuminate what each combatant’s complaints, motives, and ambitions are. Exciting events that foreshadow more sinister occurrences help to build tension and intensify the plot as it nears its climax.

As the book comes to an end, Rowling neatly resolves the divergent story lines that are related to the primary plot. She gives just enough information to leave you hanging on the edge of your seat.

Looking in from the Outside

Being an outsider is an important stylistic characteristic in the Harry Potter novels, especially since an omniscient narrator removed from the action is telling the story. The trio (Harry, Hermione, and Ron) are all misfits in some form, despite their varying backgrounds. Harry feels isolated from his parent’s legacy. Ron does not always feel comfortable with his family. And Hermione never feels secure that she truly belongs at Hogwarts.

Solitude, seclusion, and loneliness lead to acceptance, admission, and fellowship symbolized by Harry’s movement from confinement to freedom, Harry tends to stand on his own, which is symbolized by him because he is the only student who can hear sinister voices and is marked by the lightening bolt scar.

Each of the characters discovers previously unknown attributes and qualities that help them form their identity and participate as a member of the community. They each have painful episodes they have to cope with and preconceived prejudices they must overcome. They each have to rely on themselves because of the hesitancy of adults to believe their warnings.

Color

Colors are an important literary style. In British history and culture, many people, places, and events are identified by color. In the Harry Potter series, shades of red represent goodness, such as the Gryffindors’ scarlet robes (a color associated with royalty), Harry’s red ink, and the crimson Hogwarts Express train. Red is also a color that is used to trigger your mind to want to eat. That may suggest why the Gryffindor students are always eating. The Weasley’s have red hair, sometimes described as flaming. Blood is important as a life force to resist the poison of evil and also definer of social ranks. Red also denotes badness. For example, villain’s eye’s sometimes have an odd red gleam. The sun is also described as being ruby red, indicating the degree of evil that takes place at Hogwarts

Shades of green represent evil in the Harry Potter series. The Slytherins’ robes are green and the basilisk’s skin is a vivid, poisonous green. Harry recalls a green light when his parents were killed. Green is also the color of many dangerous potions that Snape teaches students how to conger up.

Numbers

Numbers are very symbolic in this series, especially the numerals 2, 3, 4, and 7. Two is significant because of the duality occurring throughout the book in the form of two worlds and two sides of peoples, as well as the symbolism of the Weasley twins and the double attack on Hermione.

The trio of Harry, Hermione, and Ron suggests the power of three and the spiritual trinity. Harry fatally wounds the basilisk on its third strike. Hagrid knocks on the front door of Hogwarts three times when he arrives with the first years.

Students are divided into four houses at Hogwarts which is also the number of seasons and horsemen of the apocalypse, which are traditional emblems of evil. The Dursley’s address is the numeral four, and Harry’s arrival made their family consist of four people.

Students attend Hogwarts for seven years, and there are seven players on each Quidditch team. The Gryffindors’ House Championship win was the first time they had defeated the Slytherins in seven years. Sirius Black is imprisoned on the seventh floor of Hogwarts in book three. There are seven children born into the Weasley family



April’s Assignment is due by April 30, 2004 (Worth 30 Points)
(Send all assignments to ProfNinaAtlas@aol.com)

1. What is your HOL name and ID?

2. Rowling uses ______unique in the Harry Potter novels, which includes the bureaucratic names of decrees and warnings that are issued by the Ministry of Magic?

3. The wizard realm is depicted through ______and _____that seem exclusive, welcoming only individuals deemed to have magical potential.

4. Another stylistic technique is Rowling’s ability to _____readers and _____suspense by carefully pacing the ______.

5. Why is being an outsider an important stylistic characteristic in the Harry Potter novels?

6. What does red represent? Give three examples.

7. What does green represent? Give three examples.

8. What Numbers are symbolic in the Harry Potter series? Give two examples for each number.

9. ________ is the true source of magic to comprehend, coexist with, and cultivate humanity.

10. Make a list of any other literary qualities that could have been mentioned. (ex. Gender and Time)



April’s Extra Credit Assignment is due April 30, 2004 (Worth 25 points)
(Send all assignments to ProfNinaAtlas@aol.com)

What role does gender play in the Harry Potter series? Prepare a one page (five paragraphs) paper on how gender affects the Harry Potter series. If you need some help, you may want to read Prof. Darlene Bakers lesson on Gender, which can be found here: http://www.geocities.com/hpbookclass/dec2


April’s Class Discussion is worth five points, so please be sure to participate. The discussion can be found here: http://invisionfree.com/forums/HP_Book_Ana...p?showtopic=153

[Sindor Aloyarc]

Sorry, but I'm kind of at a loss as to what I'm supposed to write about for the extra credit. What role it plays? -

I read Darlene Bakers lesson, and it was very interesting. But... I'm still unsure.

Are we supposed to just reiterate what she said and add in some more?
Or is it totally differant? ...or...?

:/
Hmm...

I dunno. I'm confused. *blech*

Tes,
-Sindor

oh, yeah:
PS
I hope it's okay that I send it in late, since I asked for an extension a while back. I know I got back a few days ago, but I've been trying hard to get all my HOL class stuff togeather and just havn't had time to do this part yet.
If it's too late, then just let me know. <33