Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: SparkNotes Literature Guide by SparkNotes

Author:SparkNotes [Sparknotes Editors]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Study Guides
ISBN: 9781411475434
Publisher: Spark
Published: 2014-09-10T00:00:00+00:00

Analysis

Snape's experience teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts is symbolic, not only because he has always wanted the job, but also because he demands that the class learn to recognize and kill werewolves. This is certainly aimed to inform them about Lupin's true form, and to ultimately have the school fire Lupin on account of student fear. Snape is as nasty as ever, and here he is truly in his element; later in the book we are granted a better idea of why exactly Snape is so distasteful to Harry, his friends, and to Lupin, but now we just see pure, unadulterated conniving bitterness. Chapter nine marks the lowest point of Harry's time at Hogwarts this year. He loses his first Quidditch game, loses his beloved broomstick, and caves in when faced with Dementors. Quidditch has been the only outlet where Harry feels positively able to succeed, and for his breaking of his winning streak due to the already vulnerable situation with the Dementors, is the worst possible thing that could happen.

Prospects look up when Lupin promises anti-Dementor lessons, and especially when Fred and George give Harry the Marauder's map; in light of the structure and fear of the last week, it is a great relief for Harry to be able to sneak out of the castle and join his friends in Hogsmeade, not to mention that good solid rule-breaking is always good for the morale. Harry is led out of the castle by this map, which is especially important because this map signifies the collaborative efforts of the four animagi who ultimately tie the plot together. Hogwarts presents a sort of safety net, and during the climactic ends of each of these books, Harry must leave the familiar castle confines and wind up elsewhere, in a hidden chamber or dungeon, or even in the Forbidden Forest. These places are out of Dumbledore's reign, and Harry is forced to take care of himself. This map is Harry's first entrance into the world where this climactic, dangerous exchange will ultimately take place, although he has no idea of it at the time.

When Harry overhears of Black's responsibility for his parents' deaths, he is suddenly thrust into involvement. He has snuck into Hogsmeade and so has no right to the information, but he heard it all the same and is forced to reevaluate his involvement in Black's capture. Not only is he the moderately uninvolved subject of Black's pursuit; now he has every reason to want Black captured and dead. Harry listens, stunned, as these events are recounted in the pub, and once again he is astonished by how much everybody except for he himself, knows about his life.

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