Facts
full title ·
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
author · J.K. Rowling
type of work · Children's novel
genre · Fantasy; Coming-of-age; young detective fiction
language · English
time and place written · 2000, Edinburgh
date of first publication · 2000
publisher · Scholastic Inc.
narrator · Third person, following Harry
point of view · Although the narrative is written in third person, we see from Harry's point of view, and we witness his private thoughts.
tone · The tone is matter-of-fact, and the author's fondness for the heroes is clear.
tense · Past
setting (time) · Present-day
setting (place) · United Kingdom, primarily at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
protagonist · Harry Potter is the hero and protagonist. The story follows his adventures and growing-up process.
major conflict · Harry attempts to remain alive through the Triwizard Tournament, and to discover who submitted his name to the Goblet of Fire.
rising action · Tension rises with each of the Triwizard tasks that Harry is expected to do.
climax · On the evening of the final task, Harry and Cedric wind through the maze, reach the trophy, and ultimately are transported to a graveyard where Voldemort awaits them.
falling action · Once Harry has escaped Voldemort he is transported back to Hogwarts, and various characters explain the mysteries present in the rising action of the story.
themes · Crusade against enslavement; Community connectedness; Entering adolescence
motifs · Fallen facades
symbols · Sexual tension; Varying levels of education;
foreshadowing · The chapter in which Sirius Black appears in his animagus form is the same one in which Harry suggests that Rita Skeeter could have them bugged, which leads to Hermione's realization that Rita is an animagus. The fact that a beetle is casually buzzing around during each of the important events that Rita documents provides further foreshadowing for her identity.
