Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1997)

by J. K. Rowling

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• The main point of this story is the quest for self-discovery of the protagonist, Harry Potter.
• The problem faced by Harry Potter is:
  • First, how to escape his Cinderella-like condition in the house of the relatives (the Dursleys) who had to take him in when his parents died.
  • Second, once he does follow his newfound calling as a sorcerer's apprentice, how to escape being terminated by renegade magicians.
• The resolution takes the form of:
  • Unexpected admission at a renowned school of magic, after Harry is revealed to be of wizard stock.
  • Harry's heroic actions, preventing the return to power of the arch-villain--for now.
• The child appeal of this story is due to the absorbing presentation of a fantastic world in which ordinary children with ordinary problems perform extraordinary deeds.
• The parent/teacher appeal of this story is in its heft and quality. It's good substantial narrative, and children are wild over it--what more could one ask for?

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My notes while reading the book

• The book simply has so many delightful inventions crammed into it that it keeps the first-time reader racing along to learn more. And it can withstand careful repeated readings.
  • The accumulation of details creates a very solid, consistent fictional world.
• The Cinderella theme is developed with as much viciousness as the average reader (growing up with Disney-sanitized fairytales, their Grimm edge blunted) will tolerate.
  • The Dursleys are unthinking brutes, made more appalling by the fact that they are rather believable.
  • The vengeance that Hagrid exacts on them (Dudley sent off with a pig tail) will elicit roars of approval from the audience when the movie comes out.
• There's just enough gross-out humor to captivate the younger ones: troll boogers, ear wax candy.
• One important element in its success is the way it separates the heathen from the true believers (the readers).
  • The group spirit extends from the children in the story to the children in the audience.
  • Interestingly, the criticisms leveled at the book (endorsement of witchcraft, etc.) repeat almost verbatim the unenlightened opinions of the Muggle-most Dursleys. Either these critics are thoroughly predictable, or the author has some clairvoyance herself.

Class discussion

• Brings together most themes seen in the other books presented in class:
  • An orphan (Harry Potter)--wanting to fit in while uncertain about his roots.
  • A quest--largely metaphorical for lack of an actual journey.
  • Sibling rivalry (the Weasley brothers).
  • Annoying but kind know-it-alls (Hermione Granger).
  • Group spirit and cooperation (the House Cup competition).
  • Rich bullies (Draco Malfoy).
  • Underclass underdogs (Neville Longbottom).
  • True friendship (Ron and Harry and Hermione and Neville) vs. popular cliques.
  • Rivalry and Jealousy--of Harry's fame and talents; between Snape and Harry's father.
  • Individuality (the wizards) vs. hyperconformity (most Muggles, and especially the Dursleys).
  • Honesty--Professor McGonagall taking points off her own house.
  • Pet problems (Hagrid's Norwegian Ridgeback dragon).
• The characters, even the positive ones, are made believable by their imperfections:
  • Harry goes from hero (Quidditch victory), to goat (demerits for the night escapade to send off Hagrid's dragon), to hero (defeat of Quirrell and Voldemort).
  • Hagrid has a drinking problem.
  • The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is, itself, hardly a model of harmonious perfection.
• Part of a spasmodically anticipated series. One book per school year, starting at age eleven and continuing for seven years total. Each of the books plants the seeds of storylines developed in later books, so the proper sequential order must be followed in reading.

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