PHILOSOPHER'S STONE: CHAPTER FOUR [open for housepoints]

Chapter Four: The Keeper of the Keys

This discussion will be open for earning housepoints for approximately one to two weeks, and everyone who participates could earn a possible fifty housepoints dependant of their participation in the discussion.

Remember – this is a discussion, not a debate, so any strong opinions which may invite debate should be kept out. It’s also helpful to re-read the chapter before participating.

That said, on with the discussion!

Philosopher's Stone
Chapter Four: The Keeper of the Keys

Summary of this chapter:

Quote :

Hagrid arrives at the hut on the rock and informs Harry that he is a wizard and has been accepted into Hogwarts. Harry also learns the truth about the deaths of his parents and the origin of the scar on his forehead.

I personally very much like this chapter, as we are introduced to Hagrid - Harry's first friend in the wizarding world. This is also the chapter where Harry learns he is a wizard, and of course this is very important for the rest of the books.

We also see the violent reactions the Dursley's have when Harry learns the truth, and I think this really gives us some insight into their characters, Petunia especially. She obviously holds some deep resentment for her dead sister, and takes it out on Harry.

Some questions to think about in regards to this chapter:

-This is the first time we hear of Lily's eyes: "Las’ time I saw you, you was only a baby. Yeh look a lot like your dad, but yeh’ve got yer mum’s eyes." Is this significant? Why is this one of the first things Hagrid says to Harry?

-Why do you think Petunia has such hard feelings against Lily?

Let the discussion begin!

I also loved this chapter it was great, and I do second what Amy said about it being important to the book. The questions for me aren't really that hard to answer, though prehaps I just see things far too simply. With that said I think that I shall answer the two questions.

I really don't think the comment about Lily's eyes is too significant, there are always comments about how Harry looks like his father with his mother's eyes throughout all the books, maybe it has so underlying meaning, or maybe it's just something that people like to link him to Lily with. I think it's one of the first things that Hagrid says to Harry because it's the first thing a lot of people say to Harry, I'm not saying it may not be important, but maybe it's just the linking him to Lily thing again.

The only reason I can really think of for Petunia's feelings toward Lily is jealousy. I mean Lily is said to be described as pretty, popular, and smart, on top of that being a witch it may have been a bit too much for Petunia. It made Lily all the more special and kind of cast a shadow on Petunia because she wasn't one. That could very well be a reason for the resentment toward her younger sister, though maybe it is something deeper. I however think that jealousy is the most logical explaination for Petunia's feelings.

I have to agree with Amby, I don't think that the fact that people comment on Harry's eyes being like his mom's is that important. It's a common remark to make when someone meets an friend's child. I think it goes more to show that Lily was beloved in the wizarding world, even more so than James, and Petunia'a nastiness just further makes it clear that Lily was someone special. I am surprised thought that Hagrid got away with making magic, as it seems to be so carefully regulated in the future books, but Hagrid foreshadows the second book by saying that he isn't strictly allowed to do magic. If one did not know the Dursleys it would almost seem as if they were trying to protect Harry from what they feel is an abdomination, instead the chapter clearly shows them to be prejudiced and unkind. They had denied Harry his heritage, and Hagrid busting down that door was a metaphor for Harry busting through the Dursley's lies and coverups.

This is the first time we hear of Lily's eyes: "Las’ time I saw you, you was only a baby. Yeh look a lot like your dad, but yeh’ve got yer mum’s eyes." Is this significant? Why is this one of the first things Hagrid says to Harry


i think harry having his mums eyes os significant becasue lilly was a very kind and loving person and u rememeber all the good thing about them and when u talk to someone u think alot of u look into there eyes so when evey one eho was close to her see harry and his eyes they just think of lilly and the good of her and how brave she was (i cant imageing what snape was thinking seing harrys eyes i knowing they are just like lillys it must have been hard for him)

Why do you think Petunia has such hard feelings against Lily?


after reading all the harry potter book and finding out it was all because she didnt get into hogwarts but taking it out on harry was bang out of order he was a baby and didnt even know about anything of his mother and fathers past before he was born
i also think her mother and father had more to do wi lilly then her wi lilly being a witch and the only one in the family i think petunia felt left out and very jeaules of lilly success as a witch as she wanted to be one her self

well thats what i think anyways hehe

-This is the first time we hear of Lily's eyes: "Las’ time I saw you, you was only a baby. Yeh look a lot like your dad, but yeh’ve got yer mum’s eyes." Is this significant? Why is this one of the first things Hagrid says to Harry?

I think Hagrid says this to Harry because it is a way he can see Lily in him. He obviously looks like James so I think it's important that he realizes that there are bits of his mother in him too. I agree with Amber also. I think that it is just away to connect Harry to his mother in a way that is meaningful.

-Why do you think Petunia has such hard feelings against Lily?

Pre-DH I would have said because she was jealous. And now, Post-DH I will say that it is because she is jealous. She really wanted to go to Hogwarts. She wanted to be able to do the things that Snape told Lily about. She wanted it so bad she even wrote to Dumbledore so obviously it meant a lot to her.

This is the first time we hear of Lily's eyes: "Las’ time I saw you, you was only a baby. Yeh look a lot like your dad, but yeh’ve got yer mum’s eyes." Is this significant? Why is this one of the first things Hagrid says to Harry?
I think this is very important, as it is a phrase we hear often in the books- one we grow to know and understand. I agree with KatieBellaTrix, as it was important to realise how much he was like his mother too. Also, in the seventh book, when Snape dies, and Harry is looking at Snape's memory, Dumbledore asks Snape does he remember Lily's eyes. This means that although Snape always seemed to hate Harrym there was always one thing at least that reminded him of his true love.

Why do you think Petunia has such hard feelings against Lily?
One reason- envy. Petunia obviously hated the fact that her sister was 'special' in the eyes of their parents. She so wanted to go to Hogwarts, and always resented her sister for having this chance. She even wrote to Dumbeldore. She even was jealous of Harry, I think, and that's why she always treated him so badly.