Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005), continues the story of Harry Potter's maturity and growth as a wizard. He, Hermione, and Ron have taken and received their O.W.L.s (Ordinary Wizarding Levels) and are studying for their N.E.W.T.s (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests). In the meantime, the adult wizarding world is just beginning to cope with Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. The first scene illustrates the anxiety of the wizarding world when Cornelius Fudge and the new Minister of Magic, Scrimgeour, visit the new Prime Minister of England. When asked why the wizards can't just "magic" Lord Voldemort away, Fudge says, "The trouble is, the other side can do magic too, Prime Minister" (18). The bleakness of this statement sets the tone for the rest of the book where both characters and settings play a large part in the plot. This paper will briefly discuss the place both characters and settings have in furthering the plot of The Half-Blood Prince.
Besides Harry, Hermione, and Ron, the other major characters that further the plot are Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape. While other characters are important to the plot, both Snape and Dumbledore participate actively in relation to Harry to push the book to the ultimate conclusion because of their staunch belief/nonbelief in Harry Potter's character. For example, Dumbledore requests to have Harry study with him privately, using the Pensieve (bowl that holds thoughts) to study more about Tom Marvolo Riddle/Lord Voldemort. How Harry acts and reacts to Dumbledore and these lessons is part of what pushes the plot along, specifically towards the end when Harry is helping Dumbledore find the Horocrux (object that will store part of a soul).
Snape, on the hand, who has become the new Defense against the Arts teacher, becomes highly suspicious of Harr
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