In Chapter Nine of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry disobeys a direct order from one of the teachers at 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. In other instances, Harry's school nemesis, Draco Malfoy and his other Slytherin friends, are excused without any punishment for arriving to Potions class late (not once, but many times) by Professor Snape, while students of any other house are docked points for it.
1. What other examples of favoritism are showed in the series, and how does this reflect on JKR's perception of a 'normal' school life?
2. In the series, we see scenes where the Gryffindors are favored above Slytherins in lots of instances, but we hear of the instances where the Slytherins (or other houses) are favored above the Gryffindors. Keeping it in mind that this series is written kind of in Harry's POV (though it is 3rd person), and as Harry is a Gryffindor we would learn more about that house, do you think one house was favored more in the series? Or do you think favoritism was equal with all 4 houses? How did this effect your reading?
3. Favoritism is usually associated with being negative, but can it also have a positive effect on people? Can you think of any instances in the series where favoritism gave a positive effect on one or more of the characters?
4. Finally, which professor do you think portrayed most favoritism towards one or more of the students, and what were his/her reasons for it? Were his/her reasons justified or were they aimed at hurting another student(s)'s feelings?
Hope you guys have fun answering these questions.😳 Sorry if they sound a bit too studious for a fun DOTW.😆
Edited by _LalithaJanaki_ - 15 years ago
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