What is the theme of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone?

Answer 1

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

This is the first Harry Potter novel/movie (fiction). It introduces us to the magical world that exists in secret within the real world. You are introduced to this world through the eyes of the lead character of Harry Potter, who learns suddenly that he is really from a magical family and must begin attending a boarding school for young wizards called Hogwarts.

As the story unfolds, you also learn of an evil wizard named Voldemort who killed Harry's parents, died, and is attempting to return to life. Harry learns that Voldemort is trying to steal a magical Stone, and Harry decides that he must find the stone before Voldemort does. Plot summary Harry Potter learns he is a wizard and all about Voldemort. Then he gets to Hogwarts and figures out about the Sorcerer's Stone and at the end he has to battle Voldemort who was really part of Professor Quirrell. Harry is gratefully swept from the home and company of his atrocious family members. His Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon and his dreaded cousin, Dudley. He is taken to Hogwarts, a school of magic. He there learns that he is magic. At Hogwarts he finds friendship and care which he'd never had before. But when Harry, and 2 of his friends (Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley) go to the forbidden third floor they discover just why it is forbidden. They also notice a trap door. It is only natural that they wonder what is beyond it. They soon discover that the trap door must lead to the Philosopher's Stone! A stone which will turn any substance to gold and grant any drinker eternal life. They believe that the horrid potions master, Snape, is after it! They must stop him!

Answer 2

The major theme is death and dealing with death. However themes of love vs hate and good vs evil are also prominent.

The story answers the question, "What really matters?"

The Philosopher's Stone seems to be important because it promises infinite wealth and an endless lifespan. But the only person who can locate the stone is the one who wants to find it without using it - in other words, the person who knows that wealth and longevity don't really matter.

Harry believes the quest for the Philosopher's Stone is important because he needs to prevent it from falling into the hands of an evil person. But in fact the stone is never in any danger and it is not very important to the grand plot. The only real point of the quest is to test Harry himself - to find out if he has the character-qualities required to defeat Voldemort.

The obstacle course seems to test power and intelligence. But in fact any adult wizard could easily run through most of it. For eleven-year-olds, however, this is only possible with team-work, cooperation and courage. Friendship proves far more important than individual abilities.

It is a Hollywood cliche that "family matters more than anything". But one of the messages of Harry Potter is that family only matters if your family love you, and the Dursleys are not very important to anything. What matters is love - whether from family, friends or anyone else.

The conclusion of the story is that love matters more than anything because true love can conquer death. Lily Potter showed her love by dying for her son, and as a result he could not be killed. This theme will be revisited in the final volume, when Harry must die to save everyone, and as a result, his friends cannot be killed.

In the first book, the obvious Christ-figure is Lily, and in later books it will be Dumbledore; but ultimately, it will be Harry. The redemption theme is in the whole series. However, the aspect of this theme that is specific to the first book is Harry's own discovery that love can save us from all evils, and that this is what really matters. Harry and the gang have to keep the Scorcerer's Stone away from Professor Quirrel.

Answer 3

Eleven year old Harry Potter just discovered that he is a wizard, a famous one at that. Ten years ago when he was one year old he became the only wizard to ever survive the killing curse and was branded 'The Boy Who Lived'. That same night, the person who attempted to kill him - Lord Voldemort an evil wizard bent on killing all muggles so that wizards can rule the world - disappeared.

Lord Voldemort is attempting to return to power by stealing the Philosopher's Stone and Harry, aided by his two best friend Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, are the only ones who can stop him.

Harry also has to try and fit in at his new school and live up to being famous for something he didn't even know had happened.

Answer 4

Harry represents the hero, Voldemort represents the evil, the Stone is the symbol of the power they are fighting for.