How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Conor had felt what the monster was doing to Harry, felt it in his own hands. When the monster gripped Harry's shirt, Conor felt the material against his own palms. When the monster struck a blow, Conor felt the sting of it in his own fist. (24.9)
Hmm. This is an odd description. How can Conor feel what the monster feels? Well, Shmoop's theory is that fighting back against a bully who's been physically assaulting you can cause you to feel like you're outside yourself, either because of anger or because of fear. Maybe the monster isn't involved at all.
Quote #8
The real monster […], the real nightmare monster, formed of cloud and ash and dark flames, but with real muscle, real strength, real red eyes that glared back at him and flashing teeth that would eat his mother alive. (28.42)
Why does the nightmare monster have real muscle, even though the tree monster (as far as we know) doesn't? What does it say about the difference between monsters that one has real mammal innards (not to put too fine a point on it)?