Blog #1 The Guessing Game

Wolfgang’s argument that “expectations are scarcely ever fulfilled in truly literary texts” is definitely true for both of the first two Harry Potter books. While reading the first two books, my expectations of who was good and who was evil were constantly changing due to certain events that occurred. For example, in the Sorcerer’s Stone I believed Professor Snape to be the evil one behind all the mischief that was occurring at Hogwarts. His sneaky and mysterious actions made me think that he was the one planning to steal the sorcerer’s stone. Turns out my expectations were completely wrong. Professor Quirrell, the one I would never expect, happened to be the evil one behind it all. He was portrayed as innocent, clumsy, helpful, and so on which never lead me to believe he was the one planning on stealing the stone. He not only was attempting to steal the stone, but was also playing host to Voldemort. Professor Quirrell was “two faced” meaing Voldemort’s face was on the back of his own. The professor revealed this secret of his to Harry when they were both in the chamber that held the stone. I was never expecting Professor Quirrell to reveal something like that.

            My expectations for the second book, the Chamber of Secrets, were also far off from what I had anticipated. For almost the entire book I was lead to believe that Malfoy was the evil one behind the petrifying and had also been the one to open the chamber. Again, my expectations were wrong. I find out in the end that it was Ginny behind it. I would have never guessed sweet innocent Ginny to be the one to do such evil. However, we also find out another twist. Ginny was actually being guided and forced by Voldemort the whole time. This is yet another thing I would have never expected.

            I feel it is important to raise expectations in a book and then fail to fulfill it. Even though it may cause the reader to be somewhat disappointed, it also makes them wanting to read more. It keeps their mind guessing and thinking of who is actually the behind it all. The sense of not knowing makes the novel even more thrilling to the reader.