Blog 2 Option 2

As the years have progressed I have certainly learned to read books differently as an English major. Speaking generally I find that little details can be very important, as well as actions rather than what is being said amongst characters.  In the first book Professor Quirrell’s actions were something very important to take notice into consideration. It would be quick to assume Professor Snape was the bad guy due to Harry’s opinion of him and his general cold standoffish behavior.  In reading these novels again I am paying closer attention to the clues of each character and what they are actually doing.

When I read Shakespeare for example I have learned that not everything is what it seems.  It is important to pay attention to what the characters in his plays are saying but more importantly what they are doing.  The most memorable moment that comes to mind now is in Henry IV Part I and the character of Sir John Falstaff. Technically, he is a knight but his behaviors would never let one to believe it. He doesn't practice the chivalrous behavior a knight should embody. He lies, cheats, and steals. In the end once the rebellion battle is being fought, Falstaff pretends to be dead most of the battle so he doesn't really have to fight.  Although he claims his knighthood, by his actions we can hardly say he fits the title and we know where his loyalties lie, primarily with himself.

 Linking this back to the Harry Potter realm, when we hear that someone is a teacher of Hogwarts, we want to assume that Dumbledore has chosen the best person and someone he trusts. We assume that a teacher wouldn't want to harm but protect the students there.  We first encounter Quirrell in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone  as Harry and Hagrid are making their way to Diagon Alley. Quirrell is described as, “A pale young man made his way forward, very nervously. One of his eyes was twitching” (Rowling 70). As he speaks to Harry, Quirrell stutters almost every word he says involving Harry’s name and the Dark Arts.  When I first read this book I thought this was a minor detail  and that this guy was just weird, and I looked over it. Now I noticed that it is an important characteristic of him.  Throughout the rest of the novel Quirrell is always doing odd things and this becomes a characteristic of the new Defense of the Dark Arts teachers to come.  Mad-Eye, although it seems in character, is always drinking from his flask at all times. Him being an auror, it seemed acceptable of to not trust anything he is offered, but in the end it is another clue to who the bad guy is. Lupin had his weird quirks as well. His shabby appearance and his noticeable exhaustion, Lockhart and his self-absorbed attitude was also a sign that he had his own secrets he was hiding as well.  In the end I have learned it is important to critically analyze and over think each character. In many ways Harry does this himself. He observes everyone’s actions and thinks in the extreme scenarios of what they are up to. Malfoy is the perfect example. He knows that he is up to no good but he cannot easily convince his friends of this.  Since we hear from Harry’s perspective it helps us question everyone he questions as well.