Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 2 "Dobby's Warning"
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:27 pm
While Philosopher's Stone was a basic introduction to the world of Harry Potter, Chamber of Secrets begins to explore some of the darker--and terribly important--parts of that world. Chapter Two starts off with one such piece of darkness. A short, annoying and rather comic piece of darkness.
Dobby the house-elf.
On the one hand, Dobby seems like a weird combo of Gollum and Jimminy Cricket. Yet on the other hand, it seems crystal clear that he is a slave, and an abused slave at that. He is putting himself in real danger to warn Harry Potter about "something terrible" and along the way he does some vastly entertaining, frustrating and infuriating things. Given that we are watching events through Harry's eyes, we may be forgiven for at first not quite recognizing the gravity of his appearance. He seems in fact to be little more than a trouble-maker. Stealing Harry's mail. Making life with Harry's uncle and aunt even less bearable. Refusing to EXPLAIN anything!
More, Dobby's actions have serious consequences beyond mere inconvenience. His use of magic comes to the attention of the Ministry of Magic, so Harry is in some legal difficulty (that will bear fruit later). And as a result, the Dursleys find out that Harry isn't allowed to do magic outside of school!
Uncle Vernon uses this new information, and the troubles caused by the infuriating Dobby, to lock Harry up in his room! He intends to keep the boy wizard from returning to Hogwarts! Small wonder Harry--and we--are distracted from some disturbing questions that we should be asking:
-What is Dobby so frightened about, that he goes to these lengths?
-Who are Dobby's masters/owners, that would make such "terrible" plans and why?
-How is Harry Potter in any way part of all this?
-And, what does it say about the wizarding world that it contains an entire race of slaves?
Instead, we are made to ponder how Harry will make it to Platform 9 3/4 and return to the only place that has ever felt like home, to spend time again with his only real friends. Understandably. But Chamber of Secrets is filled with plot time bombs, each of them ticking away regardless of whether the characters (or readers) pay attention--until they go off.
Then, in a further--albeit wonderful as well as absolutely necessary distraction--Harry looks out his window and sees Ron!
Dobby the house-elf.
On the one hand, Dobby seems like a weird combo of Gollum and Jimminy Cricket. Yet on the other hand, it seems crystal clear that he is a slave, and an abused slave at that. He is putting himself in real danger to warn Harry Potter about "something terrible" and along the way he does some vastly entertaining, frustrating and infuriating things. Given that we are watching events through Harry's eyes, we may be forgiven for at first not quite recognizing the gravity of his appearance. He seems in fact to be little more than a trouble-maker. Stealing Harry's mail. Making life with Harry's uncle and aunt even less bearable. Refusing to EXPLAIN anything!
More, Dobby's actions have serious consequences beyond mere inconvenience. His use of magic comes to the attention of the Ministry of Magic, so Harry is in some legal difficulty (that will bear fruit later). And as a result, the Dursleys find out that Harry isn't allowed to do magic outside of school!
Uncle Vernon uses this new information, and the troubles caused by the infuriating Dobby, to lock Harry up in his room! He intends to keep the boy wizard from returning to Hogwarts! Small wonder Harry--and we--are distracted from some disturbing questions that we should be asking:
-What is Dobby so frightened about, that he goes to these lengths?
-Who are Dobby's masters/owners, that would make such "terrible" plans and why?
-How is Harry Potter in any way part of all this?
-And, what does it say about the wizarding world that it contains an entire race of slaves?
Instead, we are made to ponder how Harry will make it to Platform 9 3/4 and return to the only place that has ever felt like home, to spend time again with his only real friends. Understandably. But Chamber of Secrets is filled with plot time bombs, each of them ticking away regardless of whether the characters (or readers) pay attention--until they go off.
Then, in a further--albeit wonderful as well as absolutely necessary distraction--Harry looks out his window and sees Ron!