Woot! I’m tearing through this reread. I might have to put off reading Goblet of Fire until I get some work for my summer classes done. So anyway keep reading if you’re interested in what stood out to me during this reread of the third Harry Potter book.
The first thing that strikes me about this book is its tone. Naturally as Harry gets older and we are faced with darker themes the tone of the books will change. I think that Harry is drastically different in this book compared to Sorcerer’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets. He is angry and moody and his teenage angst begins to show. The same thing happens to Ron and Hermione as they spend half the book not speaking to each other.
Speaking of Hermione, her story hit very close to home during this reread. Hermione is taking more classes than anyone else and as a result is sleep deprived, emotional, and overwhelmed. She spends half of the book isolated because Harry and Ron are mad at her for just trying to help. My Spring semester was pure hell. Wizard classes and time travel aside, I know exactly how Hermione feels. She is one of those people who loves to learn and expects tremendous things from herself. She doesn’t half ass anything. She uses logic and reason as her weapons. I saw myself in Hermione many times while reading and my heart went out to her.
This book introduces us to several characters and allows the reader to learn more about already introduced characters. I love JK Rowling’s characters. They are so full of life. I am so emotionally attached to them. They feel so real. I could go on a whole tirade about Lupin but seeing as how everyone loves and feels for him; my words won’t add anything new. I would however be very interested in more of his back story. I would love to read what happened to him the night Lily and James were killed and how he carries on with his life without his friends. Lupin’s life is so lonely and sad. I just want to hug him.
Prepare for Snape hate in 3…2…1… Ok so it’s no secret I hate this guy but this book is full of more damning evidence on why Snape is such a indecent human being. I mean Neville’s greatest fear is Snape; that says volumes about what kind of person he is. Snape straight up insults and calls students names like “stupid”, “thick headed”, “insufferable know it all”, and “exceedingly arrogant”. He even insults other professors in front of students. Towards the end of the book Snape becomes unhinged. He refuses to listen to Lupin and Sirius because of his grudge against them. Snape would be a much happier person if he had learned to let things go. He yells at Harry and Hermione in the presence of the Minister of Magic and other adults. He totally loses his cool. He doesn’t care if Sirius is innocent. He hates him and Lupin and wants to see them dead. I realize that the marauders made Snape’s life hell while they were at school, but is that reason enough to want them dead? I don’t think so. He even goes as far as to say that James Potter deserved what he got when Voldemort murdered him. Voldemort killed Lily too. So did she deserve it, Snape? Then he ‘let slip’ that Lupin is a werewolf to the Slytherins. Lupin is now jobless thanks to Snape’s school boy grudge. Seriously Snape, you are such an asshole.
It’s after 1am so I think I’ll call it a night. But thanks for reading and let me know if you have any thoughts about Prisoner of Azkaban. :)
