I have less thoughts on this chapter, as it is both less information-filled than the first, and also significantly shorter. The magical details are limited to accidental magic, something I am sure many a witch and wizard has experienced themselves, and the use of Parseltongue, a rare gift that will have further implications as the series goes on.

"Don't ask questions - that was the first rule for a quiet life with the Durselys" (p. 21). To understand the Dursleys as characters, this is possibly the most important line, and you will see it come up again, both with their family and others. One of the key things the book series encourages is curiousity, and the Dursleys are the first example of anti-role models. The message is quite self-explanatory, so I won't dwell too much on it, but I felt it important to point out. 

Through my reading of this chapter, on a cat-shaped sticky note, I wrote a passing thought: "The Dursleys, despite their "properness" represent some very Christian ideas of sin". I was drawn to the way that the Durselys are almost caricatures of Christian sins, which I noticed despite being non-religious (though I grew up in the UK, a culturally Christian country) and no theologian. For example, Dudley is characterised by gluttony, greed, and wrath, all in the scene at the breakfast table. He eats a lot where Harry eats little (gluttony), he complains of a lack of gifts despite their obvious abundance (greed), and we are told he often has tantrums (wrath). He is also said to be quite lazy. Regarding the idea of gluttony, I should note that this is often read differently in our current age. While many criticise the book for its fatphobia (which shows up in other areas, not just with the Durselys), something which we are more aware of in the modern age, I read it as a bit more of a simile, like you might read a fairytale or fable. Dudley's parents are also characterised by these "sinful" traits: Vernon with wrath and Petunia, as becomes more obvious later, envy. Even Marge, as seen in PoA, is very heavily associated with gluttony.

On a first read, I'm sure many readers, at least those unfamiliar with the wizarding world, would not understand the importance of Harry communicating and empathising with the snake. What we see here is Harry's first use of Parseltongue, though he has no way of knowing its significance, or the way it ties him to Voldemort. It's left a little unclear as to whether Harry is speaking Parseltongue, but we see as the snake leaves from its enclosure that Harry at least understands what it is saying. Even then, we see an eleven year old boy empathising with a snake on an emotional level, something in itself that is quite rare. This is very subtle and masterful set-up for CoS, as well as Harry's mental connection to Voldemort being established early on. 

Shortly after this fiasco, Harry recalls the night of his parents murder, though he is not aware of it. As the series goes on, the memory shifts and becomes more detailed as Harry learns more about that fateful night, but for now, it is just the flash of green light and the pain in his forehead. 

My final thoughts on this chapter are about the "strangers" (witches and wizards) that approach Harry on the streets or in public to greet him. I suppose they must recognise him for his resemblance to his father, or the scar, as his isolation from the wizarding world would let us suppose that his picture is not publically avaliable information for them. Still, I wonder if there are any orders from Dumbledore or higher authorities regarding how people were allowed to approach Harry. If it were me personally, I would have some sort of rule in place to leave the boy in peace, and maybe Dumbledore did instate some sort of law for this. Given his level of fame, it's surprising so few people ever approached Harry, and for such small periods of time.

In summary

• "Don't ask questions" (Dursley's) vs encouraging curiousity
  


• The Dursleys can represent the Seven Deadly Sins


• Harry using Parseltongue


• Harry's memory of his parent's death


• Wizards approach Harry on the street