Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Summary
An orphaned boy, Harry Potter, living with neglectful relatives discovers he is a wizard and is invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he finds friendship, belonging, and purpose while uncovering the mystery of the Philosopher’s Stone — a magical object sought by the dark wizard Voldemort. As Harry learns to navigate this new world, he begins to understand that his destiny is far greater than he ever imagined.
Key Characters
- Protagonist: Harry Potter — an ordinary, lonely boy who learns he is extraordinary, and that his fate is bound to a larger struggle between good and evil.
- Antagonist: Voldemort — a dark wizard seeking resurrection who sees Harry as both a threat and a key to regaining his power. His connection to Harry is deeply personal — years earlier, Voldemort murdered Harry’s parents and faced his own (temporary) destruction, setting their fates on a collision course.
- Mentor: Dumbledore — the wise, enigmatic Headmaster of Hogwarts whose moral guidance shapes Harry’s understanding of courage, loyalty, and choice.
- Allies: Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley — friends who complement Harry’s courage with intellect and loyalty. Their bond becomes his emotional backbone.
- Supporting Roles:
- Draco Malfoy — a rival who tempts Harry toward pride and belonging in the wrong crowd, highlighting the values that truly set Harry apart
- Professor Severus Snape — a menacing teacher who hates Harry and seems aligned with evil, serving as a Red Herring → for the true villain
- Professor Minerva McGonagall — disciplinarian protector
Structure
Act 1 - Setup
Hook
In the home of the Dursleys, Harry lives unloved in the cupboard under the stairs — small, neglected, unaware of his true identity.
Inciting Incident
Letters from Hogwarts begin arriving, culminating in Hagrid’s arrival and the revelation: “You’re a wizard, Harry.”
First Turning Point
Harry boards the Hogwarts Express, crossing into the magical world and symbolically leaving behind his ordinary life.
Act 2 - Confrontation
Rising Action
Harry adjusts to life at Hogwarts (where a gigantic castle, ghosts, and moving staircases are everyday). He makes friends and rivals while uncovering hints of the mystery surrounding the Philosopher’s Stone. His growing confidence is tested through Quidditch (a wizard’s sport played on broomsticks), encounters with teachers, and moments of moral choice.
Second Turning Point
When Harry, Ron, and Hermione realize someone is trying to steal the Stone, they decide to act — venturing beneath the trapdoor to stop the thief themselves. This marks their shift from curious students to true heroes, willing to face danger for what’s right.
Act 3 - Resolution
Climax
Harry confronts Quirrelmort (Professor Quirrell possessed by Voldemort’s shade). He faces Dumbledore’s final test — the Mirror of Erised — and earns the Stone by proving his selflessness. When Quirrelmort attacks, he discovers he cannot touch Harry without being destroyed.
Resolution
Harry awakens in the infirmary, where Dumbledore reveals the reason for his survival: the love his mother gave him through sacrifice — the very force that Voldemort cannot comprehend.
The school year ends in triumph for Gryffindor, and Harry returns to the Dursleys — still an orphan, but no longer alone.
Works Mentioned
- J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997)
- Columbus, Chris (dir.). Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
- All images and clips from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001). © Warner Bros.
- Cover image source: HBO Max
← Previous