While I’m in the midst of reading Goblet of Fire (Harry just passed the first task), I thought I’d join in on these discussion questions for Prisoner of Azkaban over at The Reading Fever. Penelope is currently reading the entire series for her first time! Oh, how I envy her!
If you haven’t read Harry Potter, these questions (and answers) contain spoilers.
What is your favorite line from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban?
- Inspirational: “You think the dead we loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don’t recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble?” Dumbledore
- Humorous: “HELLO? HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? I-WANT-TO-TALK-TO-HARRY-POTTER!” Ron
If the Knight Bus hadn’t been summoned when it was, what might have happened? Would Harry have believed Sirius if he had introduced himself?
I don’t think Sirius would’ve revealed himself to Harry at this point. He was too focused on his mission of finding Peter and killing him. Once he had done that, had the three not intervened, then he would’ve approached Harry. I’m not sure if Harry would’ve believe him or not because it took him a while to believe him when Sirius did tell him the truth.
In this book, Voldemort doesn’t play a major part. What do you think the purpose of this was? Do you think it was for the better, or worse?
I think it’s fine because he’s still there waiting in the shadows, biding his time. And, for those that have read the rest of the series (or seen the movies), this book was a huge step in helping Voldemort return to power.
Why do you think Professor McGonagall gave Hermione the time-turner? Was it to allow her to learn a lesson, or do you believe she thought Hermione could handle taking so many classes?
I think maybe a little of both. I think she allowed Hermione to prove herself, not to the teachers but to herself. Hermione would’ve always been wondering if she could’ve got through more classes. Having the time-turner showed her that while she could do it, she was frazzled and ready to burst into tears every second of every day. She realized that she needed to prioritize what was most important to her and let the others fall by the wayside.
What do you think Hermione learned from trying to do too many things at once? What did YOU learn about her character after learning about all the classes she was taking?
See above question and answer.
What is one emotion you felt strongly, while reading this book?
I felt so many emotions while reading this book. I’ve said this before many times, but Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite story. I love its complexity and that is due in part to the complex of emotions I feel while reading it. I was happy that Harry found a good father figure in Sirius. I was livid at Snape and how he messed things up at the end. I was ecstatic when Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup. I was anxious about wanting to know how everything ends. There are so many emotions and things that I enjoy about this story that I could go on forever.
Is there something that bothered you about this book? Why?
Actually, nothing bothered me in this book. The only thing about this book that is bothersome to me is the movie. But, I won’t get into that. Also, ask me this question next book and I’ll give you a better answer.
What important relationships did Harry form in this book, and why are they important?
The obvious one is Sirius, of course. He found out that Sirius didn’t betray his parents and now has a father figure in his life, an adult he can rely on and tell anything to, something he has felt he has never had. Then there’s Professor Lupin. Not only does he finally get a DADA professor who knows his stuff, he also finds out that this professor was good friends with his parents, a connection to a piece of himself that he doesn’t know a lot about. I also think his friendship with Ron and Hermione strengthened because of the trials and turmoils they experienced with Crookshanks and the Firebolt.
Just for fun: What part of the book made you laugh the most? If you’ve read it before, does it still make you laugh?
I absolutely love when Ron tries to call Harry on the telephone. It makes me laugh every time. I also love when the Marauder’s Map insults Professor Snape; it makes me chuckle. I also love when Professor McGonagall gets after Wood for having his priorities mixed up.
What about you?
PS–I’ve decided now that I’ve passed the first five days of my juice fast, I’m only going to post a summary about it every five days. I figure no one wants to read my day-to-day progress since it’s probably going to be pretty similar.
About Jenni Elyse
Hahaha, I love the quotes you chose, especially that one from Ron on the telephone. I laughed so hard at that part!
And your answer about Hermione and the time-turner is fantastic. You are completely right; Hermione would have been wondering if she could have done more. It’s better for her to know what doing more costs.
I’m glad you enjoyed that part. It’s so awesome. It reminds me of all the things Ron’s dad calls Muggle stuff, like the fellytone or eckeltricity, lol. So funny.
1. Inspirational: same as yours
Humorous: “Harry – this is a Pocket Sneakoscope. If there’s someone untrustworthy around, it’s supposed to light up and spin. Bill says it’s rubbish sold for wizard tourists and isn’t reliable, because it kept lighting up at dinner last night. But he didn’t realize Fred and George had put beetles in his soup.” -Ron
2. I think you’re right that he wouldn’t have revealed himself at that point. I think if he had, though, that Harry would’ve believed him. He didn’t really have any knowledge, at that point, of Sirius’s involvement. That is to say, he wasn’t predisposed to believing that Sirius had betrayed his parents. So, maybe he just would’ve been excited to find a connection with them.
3. This book provided a lot of the back story and knowledge that we needed to understand what everyone had been through the last time Voldemort had power. I think we need that for the rest of the series. And, as you said, some important things happened as a catalyst for the rest of the story.
4. I think she knew that Hermione was totally capable of the heavy load. But, I think she also knew that she wouldn’t choose it again.
5. I learned that I’m a slacker. Heh. Ditto to what you said on Hermione’s lessons. She learned that just because you CAN do everything, it doesn’t mean you should or that it would make you happier.
6. Frustration. The truth was there the whole time, and it seemed so clear to me. I was so frustrated that everyone just couldn’t figure it out. Also, Snape. Urgh.
7. See above.
8. I think what you said about Ron and Hermione is key. Later in the story the strength of their friendships is what helps them to get through to the end. Especially for Harry. And Sirius and Lupus, of course. That connection with his dad really helps to shape him, I think.
9. All of the moments you mentioned. Especially the map and Snape.
I love Harry Potter!
2. I didn’t even think of that. You’re right, Harry probably would’ve believed him since he didn’t know what the rest of the wizard world believed. Great point!
6-7. I can see why you felt frustrated. I went in completely clueless and it wasn’t obvious to me, lol, until the time-turner part. But, the truth about Sirius and Scabbers nearly floored me!
Well, there were a lot of the details that weren’t obvious to me. but that Sirius wasn’t the bad guy… well, I just knew he wasn’t. And when it was revealed that all that was left of Pettigrew (supposedly) was a finger, I knew he was Scabbers… even though I wasn’t quite sure what was going on. A lot of the plot took me by surprise. Which is what makes this book so fun.
Oh, also, I love your humorous quote, not only for its humor in showing the twins and their true nature, but because of what it really means with Scabbers.
You’re right! I wasn’t even thinking about that when I chose it as the humorous quote. But that is an important clue.
Interesting answers. I read the book about 3 weeks ago, so my memory was a little fuzzy and I was just trying to get the book done before I went on vacation.
Here are mine: http://jaynesbooks.blogspot.com/2012/03/harry-potter-and-prisoner-of-azkaban.html
Thanks! I’ll have to check them out. Was this your first time through too?
I loved the part where Ron calls Harry on the phone, too! Hermione’s experience was a good lesson for me. Just because you want to do everything doesn’t mean you should. And I love the UK covers for these books. Did you read the UK editions?
I’m actually in the process of reading them right now. I’m nearly done with Half-Blood Prince. I’m absolutely loving the experience.