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What is the theme of Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone?
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Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. The Value of Humility Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone emphasizes the virtue of humility by showcasing the extraordinary modesty of its hero and by making this modesty an important part of Harry’s success in obtaining the Sorcerer’s Stone.
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Need help on themes in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone? Check out our thorough thematic analysis. From the creators of SparkNotes.
- Themes
- Analysis of Key Moments
- Style, Tone, and Figurative Language
- Analysis of Key Symbols
- Personal Perspective
Magic
Although an obvious theme, magic is an essential theme and is crucial in the details that build the story world. The major fascination in this book comes from a wide array of magical nuances that would be helpful to have in the real world. Spells, enchantments, potions, magical beings, artifacts, and several other aspects that make the story of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” a great read for children play an important role in building the imagination of the reader. Spells like Win...
Friendship
Although similar in many respects to love, friendship has a more nuanced role in “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.” Starting with Hagrid, who is Harry’s first friend in the book, Harry goes on to make several friends, including Ron and Hermione. Furthermore, the idea of making friends is also of major importance in “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.” When Harry meets Draco Malfoy for the first time in Madam Malkin’s shop, Harry has already formed an opinion of Draco, and duri...
Sacrifice
Another major theme in “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” is sacrifice. Harry Potter’s mother, Lily Potter, sacrifices her life to save him. Although Ron is partially responsible for Hermione being locked in with a mountain troll, Harry and Ron sacrifice their safety by choosing to save her from the troll and run towards danger knowingly. Hermione sacrifices her place in Hogwarts by saving both Harry and Ron from possible expulsion from Hogwarts and risking her own expulsion. Finally,...
Harry grows up:Harry Potter grows up to be eleven but is bullied by his cousin Dudley and ill-treated by his Aunt and Uncle.Harry meets Hagrid:Harry encounters Hagrid in the secluded hut that Uncle Vernon took them. Hagrid conveys that Harry is a wizard and has been admitted to Hogwarts, to the dismay of his aunt and un...Harry buys supplies from Diagon Alley: Harry buys all the school supplies from Diagon Alley including his new wand, books, and pet owl that Hagrid gifts him. He first visits Gringotts bankwith Hagr...“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” is written with simple language and is easy to follow especially as it is a children’s book. The writing style is primarily in the basic third person without any evident experimental styles. The tone of the novel is sometimes funny and even engaging. J. K. Rowling evokes humorous situations within the text...
Mirror of Erised
The Mirror of Erised is where Harry first sees the reflection of his parents and the rest of his family. It is revealed to show the deepest desires of the viewer. It works as an important literary tool in portraying Harry’s deep desire to be reunited with his parents, whom he never had the chance to know. It also does the same with Ron, who is revealed to want to be more successful than all his elder brothers, shedding light on his plight as a young sibling overshadowed by successful elder br...
The Philosopher’s Stone
Being an extremely valuable magical artifact, the Philosopher’s Stone can create the Elixir of Life, which would make its drinker immortal. This symbolizes absolute power and demonstrates Lord Voldemort’s drive to attain dominion over others with this power. Furthermore, the fact that Harry could get it out of the Mirror of Erised illustrates his pure and incorruptible intentions and cements Dumbledore’s faith in him further.
Sorting Hat
The Sorting Hat is another key symbol used in the novel. Despite having a sentient presence, it works in enhancing and showing a student’s true potential to themselves, rather than telling them which house to go to. It is very mindful of the student’s wishes and interests when it sorts them into a particular house. This signifies its presence as a guide rather than a decision maker which places importance in a student’s choice for their life.
“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” takes the reader on a beautiful journey filled with magic, adventure, and agency to choose for the self. In Rowling’s world, Mugglesare just a metaphor for people who do not “live with vigor, creativity and fervor” – traits that we value among humans. Magic, although used to differentiate between magical a...
The main theme throughout the Harry Potter books is the triumph of good over evil. This is true in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as well. However, applying this general theme of good...
- Finding Strength in Weakness. Meet Neville Longbottom, a timid and seemingly forgetful young wizard at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
- Sacrifice and Love. Enter Lily Potter, the embodiment of a loving and devoted mother. Her heart is a tapestry of love woven with threads of compassion and selflessness.
- Acceptance and Tolerance. Everybody loves Hagrid, the half-giant with a heart as big as his stature. Despite being a unique and unconventional individual, he embodies acceptance and tolerance in all aspects of his life.
- Choices and Consequences. My favourite character in the series is Severus Snape (Alan Rickman’s brilliance in the movies goes a long way to reinforce this, RIP), a complex and enigmatic character whose choices hold profound consequences for both the wizarding world and himself.
The following is a list of themes considered to play a part in the Harry Potter Series, both academically and by J.K Rowling. According to best-selling author Stephen King, a major theme of the books is confronting fears.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (also Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone) study guide contains a biography of J.K. Rowling, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
