Goblet of Fire: The Death Eaters & Priori Incantatem (Chapters 33 & 34)[JAB]

January 18, 2008 by 1 Comment

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Chapters 33-34

Mark True statements with a “T” and False statements with an “F.” Write your answers to the discussion points in the com boxes below.
1._____ The resurrected Voldemort restores Pettigrew’s right arm with a magical silver hand. He then calls the Death Eaters by touching the Dark Mark tattoo on Wormtail’s left inner arm. “How many will be brave enough to return?”

2._____ Voldemort’s “true family returns,” fall to their knees, and kiss the hem of his robes. The Dark Lord does not forgive or forget. “I want thirteen years’ repayment before I forgive you.” The Death Eaters thank him for his mercy. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Chapter Quiz

News Flash! JKR comes to Harvard to Give Commencement Address

January 18, 2008 by 12 Comments

The Harvard Crimson reports:

Harry Potter never returned to Hogwarts for his seventh and final year, so J. K. Rowling never got to write a graduation speech for her magical protagonist.

The author of the mega-bestseller “Harry Potter” series will get a chance to make up for that in June, when she delivers the keynote address at Harvard’s Commencement exercises, the University announced Thursday morning.

“Perhaps no one in our time has done more than J. K. Rowling to inspire young people to experience the excitement and the sheer joy of reading,” said University President Drew G. Faust in the statement.

I assume Yale tried to get her to come to New Haven but that Harold Bloom might have expired if she had accepted. Harvard is much more Harry friendly…

Filed Under: Hog Pro Notes

Goblet of Fire: The Third Task & Flesh, Blood, and Bone (Chapters 31 & 32)[JAB]

January 17, 2008 by 1 Comment

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Chapters 31-32

Mark True statements with a “T” and False statements with an “F.” Write your answers to the discussion points in the com boxes below.

1._____ Harry prepares for the Third Task in empty classrooms by working with Ron and Hermione on Stunning Spells, the Impediment Curse, the Reductor Curse, the Shield Charm, and the Four-Point Spell. Harry feels he is ready.

2._____ Rita Skeeter gets in a last minute stab at Harry in the Daily Prophet by writing the article “Harry Potter: Disturbed and Dangerous” that appears the day of the Third Task. Harry bristles at her saying he might be a Dark Wizard. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Chapter Quiz

Warning! Master Overwhelmed, Leaves Apprentice at the Helm! [JAB]

January 17, 2008 by 6 Comments

In an event perhaps unparalleled in the history of this site, Professor John got overloaded. He is currently pushing all out to meet his publishing deadlines, speaking commitments, work and family responsibilities. Leaving zero time for HogPro duty.

In desperation, he has asked one of his less gifted students to monitor the classroom for a few weeks while he fends off all the other dragons. Therefore, for about the next three weeks, you will see posts coming out with the annotation [JAB] on the end of them. That stands for Moi! JohnABaptist. Hopefully I will not drive off all of the other students before the real Professor returns.

Seeking your pardon in advance for all errors, egregious or subtle, that are certain to follow: Here we go again with a restart of the beloved Chapter Quiz series!

Filed Under: Chapter Quiz

John Speaking in New York City this Friday Night: Literary Alchemy and C. S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy

January 8, 2008 by 6 Comments

HogPro Alert! I have been invited to speak at the New York C. S. Lewis Society meeting this Friday night, 11 January 2008, and you are all invited. There will be no cover charge at the door and refreshments will be served after I talk (as good as those goodies are, the conversation is much better). If I run over time, I’m told, refreshments will be served during my talk.

The night’s topic is “C. S. Lewis and Literary Alchemy in the Ransom Trilogy” and I’m hoping to do three things in just under an hour: introduce literary alchemy as a stream in the river of English literature, explain why it is likely that Lewis was more familiar with the symbols and artistry of this tradition than any writer of the modern period, and, the big jump, that Lewis’ Ransom Trilogy or ‘Space Novels’ is an alchemical trilogy much as the Chronicles of Narnia are an astrological seven book set. I’ll be focusing on Perelandra, the second Ransom novel, both because it is the book in the set most readers I know remember clearly and because the alchemy of it is relatively transparent.

I hope you all will jump in your private jets and come! Here are the details from the website in case you can get there:

» Starting at 7:30 and breaking for refreshments at 9:00 pm
» At the Parish House of The Church of the Ascension,
» 12 West 11th St, Manhattan, NY
» Closest Subway: 14th St. Union Square
» On-street parking starts at 6:30 pm

If you cannot make it this Friday, you should make plans to come next month. I am really just the opening act for discussion of Lewis as hermetic artist; in February, Michael Ward, [Read more…]

Filed Under: C. S. Lewis