JOURNAL ENTRY 3-4
Journal Entry#3 Setting
The author of the story “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” J.K.Rowlings, starts chapter five with words such as “Permanent Sticking Charming on the black of the canvas” These kinds of words usually are used to create strange and enchanting mood in stories. So as I kept on reading the story I had the sensation that I was entering a new and thrilling world.
The way that the author uses images to describe Sirius home creates a mysterious atmosphere. As the author describes the “narrow stone steps”, and the “walk to the bottom of the stairs and through the door leading into the kitchen” made me feel that I was the one walking through the hall. The use of figures of speech ( similes) for example when she mentions “a haze of pipe smoke hanging like battle fumes” makes me think or imagine a dangerous place.
In the other hand the way Sirius behaves with Henry also creates a mysterious atmosphere in chapter V. We only know that Sirius knows something that Henry does not. He mentions a weapon that neither Harry nor friends know what kind of weapon Sirius refers to.
In chapter Six, starts giving a description of Harry’s bedroom. The author says that Henry’s bedroom looked even “danker and gloomier than it had on first sight” giving the sensation that it was not the best place to be. The author also uses personification when she describes “the blank picture on the wall was now breathing very slowly and deeply, as though its invisible occupant was asleep”. These words create a scary and mysterious place. One of the things that I observed in this chapter six was that the setting is closely engaged with the feelings that Harry is confronting. I believe that knowing that Sirius has not been totally clear with him, and knowing that Dumbledore had been in the house the day before his hearing, and not asked to see him was the beginning of what was going to happen can even be worst.
I believe that the author has used a variety of techniques to create a stupendous setting for each chapter. She has used mostly in these two chapters enchanting and magical descriptions to create a mysterious and thrilling setting that grasp the readers interest.
Journal Entry # 4 Chapters 7/8
Readers Response: What did you noticed?
The author in this chapter takes us through a tour through the different departments that the Ministry of Magic is build upon. The setting and the characters are introduced. Henry is becoming more aware of this world and its surroundings.
The Headquarter of Magic has a well organized community. The Headquarters of Ministry of Magic has many divisions which creates various settings in the story. Some of the departments are the following: St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, Department of Magical Games and Sport, Department of Magical Transport, Apparation Test Center etc. I believe that the author wants us reader to know that this knew and wonderful world has also a well organize government structure.
I also believe that Harry was surprised with this entire new world. I can see this in the part of the story where the author says “Harry stepped inside, wondering what on earth this was about”. Harry is going through a lot of emotions in this chapter, I can understand that he is scare to dead when we read the following words “Harry’s heart is beating a violent tattoo against his Adam’s apple.” “He swallowed hard, turned the heavy iron door handle, and stepped inside the courtroom.
In chapter eight we experience the wizard’s criminal justice system, and an entire hearing. This one does not bode well for the fate of civil rights in the wizard world.
Harry is confronted with the full wizard members, which is proceeded by Fudge. There is a moment in which Harry feels that he is not been allow to talk. Fudge presents the facts except that there were dementors and that Harry was trying to save his own life. The rest of the wizards were surprised to hear about it.
Fudge tries to dismissed Harry’s claims and these of his witness. There was a part of the story where Fudge suggest “Laws can be changed”. I certainly believe that the author is trying to convey that justice sometimes can be used as an evil instrument when the person who presides has evil intentions.
I can use these two chapters in my classroom to develop a class discussion based on judgment.
