Story Grammar for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling Story: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Plot: A young boy in England learns on his11th birthday that he is really a wizard and is sent to a wizarding school. There he learns how it feels to be different yet fit in at the same time, what it means to be a friend, how judging people can backfire, and that true bravery and integrity come from within.

Themes: Hero journey
Importance of honesty and bravery
Loyalty
Standing up for what you believe is right.

Setting: Present day London, England and Hogwarts–a witch/wizard school just outside of the city but invisible to regular humans. Characters: Harry Potter, Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, Dudley Dursley, Dumbledore, Hagrid, Ron, Hermione, Professor Snape, Draco Malfoy and his cronies Crabbe and Goyle. Chain of Events: Initiating Event: A few days before Harry's 11th birthday a strange letter arrives for him which Mr. Dursley, his uncle, immediately destroys. But the letters keep coming and on his birthday Harry learns that he is a wizard and has been accepted to Hogwarts, the best school for witches and wizards. He also learns that he is a celebrity in the magical world because when he was just a baby he managed to defeat Voldemort, the most evil dark wizard of all time. Harry leaves his aunt and uncle and journeys to Hogwarts where he begins his adventures. This sets off all of the events which follow in the novel. Internal Response: Harry struggles with being famous, while at the same time enjoys having friends and being treated fairly for the first time in his life. His friends, loyalty, and own curiosity get him into some interesting situations. Attempt/Outcome: Harry is loved by most but disliked by some. He follows his better judgement when dealing with others and has adventures ranging from sneaking around the school in an invisibility cloak to getting rid of a dragon to once again stopping Voldemort from getting a powerful Sorcerer's Stone. Resolution: After Harry saves the Sorcerer's Stone from falling into evil hands he is awarded enough points to win the House Cup for Gryffindor. He also learns that sometimes you need to break rules in order to do a greater good. Reaction: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is an engaging novel that is not only enjoyable to read, but contains many symbols and motifs found in mythology and fantasy. By looking closely at the novel it is possible to discover universal themes such as friendship, honesty, and loyalty. This book is both entertaining and enlightening. Diana Anderson, Brigham Young University 2000