The Vanishing Glass

Analysis
While in the film this scene establishes and emphasizes that Harry is abused by the Dudleys and is a Parselmouth, in the book this chapter is far more about how much Harry remembers of his life before living with the Dursleys and the first hints of his magical ability.  Harry can regrow his hair, jump onto the roof of buildings, shrink sweaters, and cause glass to disappear, all without realizing what he is doing or intending to.  When he is particularly scared or angry his automatic response is to protect himself, to right wrongs, and this is what he does.  This chapter also establishes the fact that, though Harry is abused daily, his spirit has not been tainted by it.  He is still kind and looks out for the underdog (the snake).  He has not come to the point where he fights against injustice, but he is skilled at trying to avoid causing attention and bringing more onto himself.  He understands what the Dursleys expect of him and tries to keep them placated as possible.  They, in turn, do all that they can to keep Harry down and "normal."
Dialogue and Character Changes	Nitpicks	Interesting Revelations...
The Dursleys (whom in the book we actually meet in the previous chapter) do not match their physical descriptions precisely... but i believe this can be forgiven as the parts were excellently cast.  Vernon is the closest casting choice while Petunia and Dudley have lost their blond locks. Mrs. Figg is left out unmentioned entirely, as is Dudley's friend Piers Polkiss. The snake is meant to be a Boa Constrictor (the breed coming from Brazil, South America, not Burma, SE Asia).	Harry is almost done making breakfast before Dudley comes downstairs, and Dudley isn't happy that Harry is coming along to the zoo.  The shove, however, is characteristic of his cousin, whose favorite pasttime is beating Harry and other kids up. The Vanishing Glass isn't supposed to reappear, but it is amusing. The Vanishing Glass scene bleeds into the next chapter on the dvd instead of preserving the break in the book.  Uncle Vernon forces Harry into the cupboard with no food as punishment at the end of this chapter, but on the dvd it is the beginning of the next, The Letters from No One, which i suppose was meant to emphasize the fact that magic very obviously exists in the next chapter.	Harry is able to get out of bed while still in the Cupboard under the Stairs, revealing that the Cupboard is bigger than i normally imagine, or Harry is smaller, or both.  And for some odd reason he likes to put on his socks first. Harry likes his scar. In the film, Harry asks the snake if he talks to people often and says he's never talked to a snake before, foreshadowing the events of the Chamber of Secrets, which was published in 1999, while this movie came out in 2001. When Harry tries to remember the car crash he remembers green light and pain on his forehead.
Quality Quill Quotes	On the Telly
"Aunt Petunia often said that Dudley looked like a baby angel -- Harry often said that Dudley looked like a pig in a wig." ~ narrator (21) "There's no such thing as magic." ~ Uncle Vernon
The Boy Who Lived	« »	The Letters from No One

 
 
 
daniel radcliffe * rupert grint * emma watson
 
 
 
Lumos Nox * Swish + Flick * source
rogue.fire.angel@gmail.com
 
 
 
Harry Potter and all related characters and elements are the property of
J.K. Rowling, Scholastic, and Warner Bros.
All illustrations and images are the property of Mary GrandPré and Warner Bros. respectively.
This page is meant in no way to abuse said sources or gain profit, but to endorse and support said artistic works.