What are the first four chapters of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone about?

Answer 1

The first four chapters of the series are basically emerging you into the wizarding world as a muggle. They are explaining to you Harry's circumstances and giving you a feel for how Harry was raised by the Dursleys. They are giving some background and setting the stage for what is to come throughout the rest of the series.

Answer 2

Harry, Ron and Hermione find out who Nicolas Flamel is and that he is the only known maker of the philosopher's stone. They correctly guess that the stone is what Fluffy is guarding.

Harry plays his second Quidditch match, Gryffindor v Hufflepuff with Professor Snape as the referee. Gryffindor win the match in under five minutes. After the match, Harry follows Snape into the forest and overhears him speaking to Quirrell. Harry thinks that Snape is forcing Quirrell to help him steal the stone.

Answer 3

Chapter twelve starts with Christmas, Harry is given an invisibility cloak which he decides to try that night. He sneaks into the restricted section but is forced to run from Filch. He hides in a disused classroom and discovers the Mirror of Erised which shows him his deceased family.

In chapter thirteen, Harry, Ron and Hermione discover the identity of Nicolas Flamel and that Fluffy is protecting the philosopher's stone. Gryffindor beat Hufflepuff at Quidditch.

In chapter fourteen, Hagrid hatches a baby dragon which Harry, Ron and Hermione have to convince and help him get rid of. Harry and Hermione are caught out of bed, along with Neville and Draco. They are each given detention.

In chapter fifteen, the four serve detention and help Hagrid find out what is killing unicorns in the Forbidden Forest. Harry nearly encounters Voldemort but is saved by a centaur.

Harry, Ron and Hermione go down the trapdoor in chapter sixteen. They encounter Devil's Snare, Flying Keys, a giant Chess set and a logic quiz before Harry goes on alone to defeat Voldemort.

In the final chapter, Harry saves the stone and wakes up in the hospital wing to find out that Professor Quirrell died and Voldemort escaped. The stone will be destroyed. Gryffindor win the house cup thanks to last minute points for recent events.

Answer 4

The main themes explored in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone are love, death, friendship, coming of age and bigotry. These themes are found throughout the series as a whole, but are first introduced in the first book.

Answer 5

Individual chapters don't tend to have a theme, rather the book as a whole has a theme. The main theme of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is death and dealing with death. Themes of love and good v evil are also prominent.