Chapter 7: Foreshadowing and the Sorcerer's Stone

This chapter requires a bit of explanation. Today we had our first 10 question quiz over Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. (I know I got a few wrong because I wasn't really sure what to expect on the quiz and I've read the next two books already, so the first book isn't that fresh in my memory now...) The last question on the quiz was, "What is your favorite instance of foreshadowing in the book?" ("Book" meaning the entire series, since it is all one story) When we were done with the quiz, Dr. Poe asked us what we put down for the last question. This then launched us into our discussion of the book.

Good News: We had a wonderful class talking about the book, foreshadowing, how it all tied in with Biblical truth.

Bad News: It is REALLY hard to take cohesive notes about a discussion and still be a part of the discussion. So... once again I don't really have much for you to read this time around. BUT...

Good News! I recorded the entire discussion! (with Dr. Poe's permission of course) I tried to edit out the parts where you couldn't hear the student talking or where there was a long pause, but this is pretty much the bulk of the class. I know that 45+ minutes of listening is a bit much, and it's a bit hard to hear at times, but I'm going to try this out and see how it works. Let me know what you think of it! 

You can send me feedback about the blog at this Facebook page.

And here is the recording for you.

In the meantime, I will continue to search for the best way to deliver recordings to you all.


- V. B. 

Foreshadowing is much like the fulfillment of prophecy.

While Rowling was writing these books while the Lord of the Rings and Narnia were in the process of being filmed. She intentionally writes about a substitutionary death in the midst of the controversy that was being made about these books and their Christian background.

Harry has a “saving people thing” that makes him a Messianic Figure (also known as Christ Figure, Jesus Figure). He is always looking out for and saving his friends.

Rowling makes a case for sin in a relativistic world. She shows that all have sinned, even the “good guys” have messed up in one way or another.

Rowling deals with the stages of adolescent development throughout the books.

Early adolescences: Issues are self-esteem, importance of parents (but Harry doesn’t have parents)

Middle adolescences: Independence, the beginning of separation from parents. Could take the form of rebellion or subversion. 

Late adolescences: Identity, “Who am I now that I’m no longer defined by my parents, siblings, school, etc?” Who are you in relationship with other people?