essay on harry potter books

About the Book

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

By j.k. rowling.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is one of the most popular children's books ever written. It is a story about the triumph of love and bravery over evil.

Written by Mohandas Alva

M.A. Degree in English Literature from Manipal University, India.

‘ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘ is a very engaging read for children and adults alike. Since it is the first book in this series, we are introduced to an entirely new world in this book. The world of magic slowly builds itself as we read through the book. The genius of this book is using the protagonist Harry’s discovery of this world to parallel the readers’.

Furthermore, despite several hardships and literally being an orphan who never knew love, Harry still recognizes love and affection when he sees it. While this book is memorable for a plethora of reasons, some elements of Rowling’s writing triumph as winners.

Discovering the Story World and Magic as a Metaphor

J. K. Rowling does a great job writing this story with an omniscient third-person narrative but still keeping the narrator wherever Harry is for a major part of this book. This makes the reader’s fascination and interest in the world of magic as new and real as Harry’s. We are introduced to several facts and significant peculiarities of the world of magic, all of which seem very consistently developed, adding authenticity to it. 

While there are a lot of similarities between the real world and the world of magic, the differences are usually peculiar and downright funny at times. Platform nine and three-quarters, running through a brick wall, ghosts roaming freely and talking to living people, and many other peculiarities add to the charm of creating an interesting story world. One could go on to theorize that calling non-magic people muggles and portraying the Dursleys as ordinary people who hate things like magic has a metaphorical purpose. 

It furthers the cause and appeals to the readers to be more imaginative and creative. Magic is a metaphor for imagination in this case. The Dursleys are scared of anything out of the ordinary. They spend their entire day doing mundane tasks they assign meaning to and criticize almost anything and anyone that doesn’t fit their design.

On the contrary, Harry, despite being ill-treated and not loved by the Dursleys, has a flair for imagination and creativity. It didn’t take very long for him to get used to the wizarding ways, and he very clearly had the potential to do great things after all. This book is, in its essence, an inspiration for readers to make dreams come true and bravely follow their dreams despite obstacles. It is an apt narrative for children who, at their age, tend to discover new things and ideas to develop. 

Good vs Evil and Heroism

The trope of a savior standing up to the tyrant is not new. However, ‘ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘ being a children’s book, delves into this slowly. When Harry is unaware of magic and thinks that his parents died in an accident, he is a normal child with very little to think about good, evil, and the need for heroism.

However, once he is informed of the actual circumstances of his parents’ death and after discovering magic, he gains new insights, and his worldview significantly changes. His sense of responsibility and the need to stop Voldemort at any cost from getting to the Philosopher’s Stone set the path for his heroism. This transition happens slowly, yet it feels very natural. He doesn’t know what he will do if he faces Voldemort. Despite this naive understanding of the consequences, he still chooses to face Voldemort. 

This portrayal of heroism is quite commendable as it appeals to the very cause of wanting to stop the wrongdoing. The fact that an eleven-year-old boy and his two friends thwart a feared dark wizard from stealing the Philosopher’s Stone in a school that has so many adults who are way more experienced and well-equipped to do it portrays heroism in its purest form. Heroism is more the choice to take action against evil than the ability to stop evil. This book does a good job illustrating this subtlety.

Sacrifice in Harry Potter

Sacrifice is an essential part of this novel. The story of ‘ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘ uses sacrifice to define both friendship and love. Harry’s parents die because they sacrifice themselves to protect Harry. Ron sacrifices himself while playing Wizard chess. Several people who fought in the war against Voldemort sacrificed themselves for the well-being of the collective community. 

The trope of sacrifice plays a major role in setting up differences in morality between the good and the evil. As Dumbledore points out to Harry, Voldemort does not understand love. The fact that Harry understands love and values it, sets a specific difference in the choices that Harry and Lord Voldemort make.

Harry is willing to sacrifice himself when he takes over the task of protecting the Philosopher’s Stone. On the contrary, Voldemort uses others for his selfish motives. This stark difference between willing to sacrifice oneself and using others as a shield to protect oneself makes all the difference and definitively separates good and evil in this book.

Why was Harry Potter banned?

Harry Potter was banned in a catholic school in Nashville, Tennessee, because of fear of evil spirits. Some other places have also banned Harry Potter books for similar religious fears. Some religious leaders were concerned that the spells and enchantments mentioned in the book were real and that they could summon evil spirits and dark magic.

Is  Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone  worth reading for an adult?

‘ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘ is definitely worth reading for an adult. While it was written as a children’s book, it has outlived this label, and there are people of all ages who not only read these books but also engage in community discussions and have fun playing games inspired by these books. Many people have found reading this book a very rewarding experience, as is evident from the sales and fame this book has garnered across all demographics.

Should I read  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone  or watch the movie? 

While the movie is undoubtedly well-made and a thrill to watch, the books are far more detailed and a very thrilling read. Most people who have both read the books and watched the movies always choose the former as a better experience. Furthermore, there are several interesting and amusing characters and scenes in the book that the movie couldn’t incorporate. So, one would be missing out on a lot if one doesn’t read ‘ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. ‘

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Review - A Thrilling Read

• Writing Style
• Lasting effect on the reader

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Book Review

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J K Rowling is a thrilling read that hooks the reader from page one. Published in the year 1997, it is one of the highest grossing novels ever written. Some elements of the novel like its elaborate yet accessible world-building makes it a very entertaining read for children and adults alike. It follows the story of an orphan boy named Harry Potter who realizes he is a wizard and the rest of the book records his journey as a young wizard in Hogwarts, a school of magic. This book, and the series as a whole have been a definitive part of an entire generation’s childhood and have garnered very high praise as an entertaining read.

• The plot is entertaining and is a very immersive read.
• Has a lot of early lessons for children on morality.
• The characters are well developed and the story world is well structured and interesting.
• The writing style may be a bit rudimentary for adult avid readers.
• Several instances of Deux Ex Machina make the protagonist’s position very safe and lacking any real danger.
• Some mild instances of body shaming exist within the novel.

About Mohandas Alva

Mohandas is very passionate about deciphering the nature of language and its role as a sole medium of storytelling in literature. His interests sometimes digress from literature to philosophy and the sciences but eventually, the art and craft of narrating a significant story never fail to thrill him.

Cite This Page

Alva, Mohandas " Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Review ⭐ " Book Analysis , https://bookanalysis.com/jk-rowling/harry-potter-and-the-philosophers-stone/review/ . Accessed 18 March 2024.

The Harry Potter section of Book Analysis analyzes and explorers the Harry Potter series. The characters, names, terminology, and all related indicia are trademarks of Warner Bros ©. The content on Book Analysis was created by Harry Potter fans, with the aim of providing a thorough in-depth analysis and commentary to complement and provide an additional perspective to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

It'll change your perspective on books forever.

Discover 5 Secrets to the Greatest Literature

• Search Menu
• Browse content in Arts and Humanities
• Browse content in Art
• History of Art
• Browse content in History
• Colonialism and Imperialism
• Environmental History
• History by Period
• History of Agriculture
• History of Gender and Sexuality
• Industrial History
• Intellectual History
• Legal and Constitutional History
• Military History
• National Liberation and Post-Colonialism
• Oral History
• Political History
• Regional and National History
• Slavery and Abolition of Slavery
• Social and Cultural History
• Theory, Methods, and Historiography
• Browse content in Literature
• Children's Literature Studies
• Literary Studies (American)
• Literary Studies (European)
• Literary Studies - World
• Literary Studies (19th Century)
• Literary Studies (20th Century onwards)
• Literary Studies (African American Literature)
• Literary Studies (British and Irish)
• Literary Studies (Fiction, Novelists, and Prose Writers)
• Literary Studies (Gender Studies)
• Literary Studies (Graphic Novels)
• Literary Studies (Plays and Playwrights)
• Literary Studies (Poetry and Poets)
• Literary Studies (Postcolonial Literature)
• Literary Studies (Women's Writing)
• Literary Theory and Cultural Studies
• Mythology and Folklore
• Browse content in Media Studies
• Browse content in Music
• Applied Music
• Ethnomusicology
• Music Cultures
• Music and Media
• Music Education and Pedagogy
• Music Theory and Analysis
• Musical Structures, Styles, and Techniques
• Musicology and Music History
• Race and Ethnicity in Music
• Browse content in Religion
• History of Religion
• Browse content in Society and Culture
• Cookery, Food, and Drink
• Cultural Studies
• Customs and Traditions
• Sports and Outdoor Recreation
• Browse content in Social Sciences
• Browse content in Politics
• Political Sociology
• Browse content in Regional and Area Studies
• Latin American Studies
• Native American Studies
• Browse content in Sociology
• Childhood Studies
• Gender and Sexuality
• Health, Illness, and Medicine
• Occupations, Professions, and Work
• Race and Ethnicity
• Social Theory
• Social Movements and Social Change
• Sociology of Religion
• Sport and Leisure
• Urban and Rural Studies
• Reviews and Awards
• Journals on Oxford Academic
• Books on Oxford Academic

• < Previous

Introduction

• Published: May 2022
• Cite Icon Cite
• Permissions Icon Permissions

This book took shape as readers in the United States marked twenty years since J. K. Rowling published her first Harry Potter novel here. In those twenty years, a generation of readers came of age with Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they tracked the publication of the series across their teenage years. Midnight book release parties, all day reading binges, cosplay with robes and wands, and long hours of constructing fan theories and fictional fill-ins are among the memories that Millennials take with them into adulthood. And it’s not just Millennials who are having a nostalgic Harry Potter moment. There has never been a more successful book series (500 million copies sold and counting), nor a more culturally prominent literary phenomenon, with three expanding theme parks, ten movies and more in production, multiple followup e-books and short stories, new editions of the original novels (illustrated, translated, available in your House colors), a variety of podcasts, an Internet home in Pottermore , several Hogwarts-themed charitable organizations, and Rowling’s joint envisioning of a grown-up Harry in The Cursed Child , a successful play on the London stage that opened on Broadway and claimed five Tony awards. Still today the series holds a venerable place on the New York Times Bestseller List—for more than 625 weeks as of this writing—and “Muggle” is officially in the Oxford dictionary. 1 All of this represents an expansive world of Potter-philia.

Signed in as

Institutional accounts.

• GoogleCrawler [DO NOT DELETE]
• Google Scholar Indexing

Personal account

• Sign in with email/username & password
• Get email alerts
• Save searches
• Purchase content
• Activate your purchase/trial code

Institutional access

• Sign in with a library card Sign in with username/password Recommend to your librarian
• Institutional account management
• Get help with access

Access to content on Oxford Academic is often provided through institutional subscriptions and purchases. If you are a member of an institution with an active account, you may be able to access content in one of the following ways:

IP based access

Typically, access is provided across an institutional network to a range of IP addresses. This authentication occurs automatically, and it is not possible to sign out of an IP authenticated account.

Sign in through your institution

Choose this option to get remote access when outside your institution. Shibboleth/Open Athens technology is used to provide single sign-on between your institution’s website and Oxford Academic.

• Click Sign in through your institution.
• Select your institution from the list provided, which will take you to your institution's website to sign in.
• When on the institution site, please use the credentials provided by your institution. Do not use an Oxford Academic personal account.
• Following successful sign in, you will be returned to Oxford Academic.

If your institution is not listed or you cannot sign in to your institution’s website, please contact your librarian or administrator.

Sign in with a library card

Enter your library card number to sign in. If you cannot sign in, please contact your librarian.

Society Members

Society member access to a journal is achieved in one of the following ways:

Sign in through society site

Many societies offer single sign-on between the society website and Oxford Academic. If you see ‘Sign in through society site’ in the sign in pane within a journal:

• Click Sign in through society site.
• When on the society site, please use the credentials provided by that society. Do not use an Oxford Academic personal account.

If you do not have a society account or have forgotten your username or password, please contact your society.

Sign in using a personal account

Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members. See below.

A personal account can be used to get email alerts, save searches, purchase content, and activate subscriptions.

Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members.

Viewing your signed in accounts

Click the account icon in the top right to:

• View your signed in personal account and access account management features.
• View the institutional accounts that are providing access.

Signed in but can't access content

Oxford Academic is home to a wide variety of products. The institutional subscription may not cover the content that you are trying to access. If you believe you should have access to that content, please contact your librarian.

For librarians and administrators, your personal account also provides access to institutional account management. Here you will find options to view and activate subscriptions, manage institutional settings and access options, access usage statistics, and more.

Our books are available by subscription or purchase to libraries and institutions.

• About Oxford Academic
• Publish journals with us
• University press partners
• What we publish
• New features  
• Open access
• Rights and permissions
• Accessibility
• Advertising
• Media enquiries
• Oxford University Press
• Oxford Languages
• University of Oxford

Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide

• Copyright © 2024 Oxford University Press
• Cookie settings
• Cookie policy
• Privacy policy
• Legal notice

This Feature Is Available To Subscribers Only

Sign In or Create an Account

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription.

• ☰ Harry Potter News | Essays | Crafts | and more!
• Potter News
• Potter Crafts
• Potter Essays
• Image Gallery
• Potter Parks
• About Leaky

Harry Potter and the Adaptation from Novel to Film

Submitted by: Robyn Joffe

Harry Potter and the Adaptation from Novel to Film  

By Robyn Joffe

For as long as people have been making movies, people have been making movies based on books. Films have also been adapted from several other forms such as television shows, theatrical plays and even other movies. More recently, entire book series have been adapted, such as the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the still in progress Harry Potter series . With six of the seven books written, and five films finished (four of them released), the Harry Potter franchise has a lot to offer scholars interested in the how-to's and the results of adapting books to film.

The Harry Potter films, which started with the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in the year 2001, depict the events covered in the books in a more filmic fashion. The films bring Rowling's words to life; however, as is nearly always the case in adapting work of one form to another, the transitions can be less than smooth. As Deborah Cartmell, senior lecturer in English writes, "An adaptation is undeniably an appropriation of the text, and although the plot remains the same, the telling ’ or the interpreting of it ’ radically changes from one generation to the next." 1

From time constraints to a director's need for artistic expression to casting choices to how a film is promoted, the process of transforming a book to a film can be fraught with peril. Other such issues surrounding direction, characterization, pacing and chosen content (among others) can also contribute to a film's eventual success or failure. Though the resulting movie may in fact be a good film, the question that must be asked is whether it is a good film version of the book . Though most published academic works covering the adaptation of a book to a film focus on classic novels, such as those by Shakespeare or Jane Austen, adaptations are not made merely from acclaimed literary masterpieces. What the Harry Potter series lacks in academic acknowledgment, it more than makes up for in mass popular appeal.

For this reason, this essay will dissect the Harry Potter books and their resulting films, paying particular attention to what issues in the process of adaptation were most relevant to each, and see what, if any, perils were encountered in the making of them. In doing so, this essay will make use of both scholarly and amateur sources, because while authoritative texts are more often relied upon (and with good reason) in essays such as this, the opinions fueled by the unquestionable knowledge of the Harry Potter fan base (in regards to the content of both the books and films), are not necessarily any less valid than their more academically informed counterparts.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)

Graham Greene, one of the first major literary talents to show an interest in writing for films (and one who often adapted his own short stories) once described the screenwriter as "a ˜forgotten man' once the film went into production, since after that point other hands might make alterations to the screenplay." 2 In a much more recent book, the same sentiment was expressed: "Despite the excellent compensation, a Hollywood scriptwriter is a low man on the totem pole, and much of his work ’ sometimes all of his work ’ is not used." 3 However, for Harry Potter screenwriter Steve Kloves, working with director Christopher Columbus was an experience in the opposite. In fact, Columbus described their collaboration ’ which went from script development through production ’ as "something of a dream situation' 4 and Kloves further explained that "Chris has been willing to listen to any idea, and he doesn't think it's right until we both agree it's right, which is great." 5

Columbus also went a step further in welcoming the continued involvement of not just the screenwriter ’ but the original novelist as well; "My desire was to remain faithful to the story, the characters and the integrity of those characters ... I realized that I had found a solid collaborator [in Rowling]. And it was important because she knows this world better than anyone else." 6

Producer David Heyman also noted that Rowling "has been given the freedom to exert perhaps more influence on the Potter films than is usual when a book is adapted for the screen." 7 This is no doubt due to the fact that the book series is not yet completed, or as Kloves himself put it; "It's the only time I've ever been involved in a story without an ending ... And you would think [Rowling] would tell me something [about it], since I am writing it. But she won't." 8 Along with script approval, author J.K. Rowling had one other demand: that the actors playing the British characters actually be British. Thus, casting began.

Casting a film that is being adapted from a book can often become very controversial, especially if fans get wind of which actors are being considered beforehand. Because many novels that are made into films are not illustrated, the reader has created a picture of each character in their mind, according to any descriptions from the book, and accepting an actor who may not entirely fit that description or picture is something that many fans find hard to do. On the other hand, it is not always only a matter of a fan being unable to let go of his/her own interpretation of a character. At times, the decision to cast a certain actor in a certain role can be questionable no matter how good they might be.

An example of this would be the casting of Alan Rickman in the role of Professor Severus Snape. Though Rickman is a very talented actor, he was also fifty-five years old when the first movie was released, whereas at the start of the series Snape is supposedly only thirty-two years old. 9 While one might think that the age difference does not matter so long as the appearance is appropriate, the difference ’ particularly as it's more than twenty years ’ has an effect on that as well. In the book, part of Harry's perception of Snape is that "his eyes were black like Hagrid's, but they had none of Hagrid's warmth. They were cold and empty and made you think of dark tunnels." 10 Snape's youth, coupled with his demeanor, present a more tragic juxtaposition in the book than they do in the film because in the film that juxtaposition does not even exist. How can it when the embittered contempt that emanates from the character is easily understandable, rather than jarring, in the lined face of an older actor?

The choice to cast Rickman has also lead to another unforeseen side effect among Harry Potter fans: Lust.

The newfound Snapemania was sparked in part by the casting of actor Alan Rickman ’ well-established as "the thinking woman's sex symbol" ’ in the role. Rickman's feline movements and mellifluous voice give the Potions Master a sensuality absent from the page. And beyond the shoulder-length black wig and black contact lenses Rickman wears, no attempt is made to ugly him up. 11

This has even led to Rowling herself questioning whether those who profess their love of the character are talking about Snape, or Alan Rickman, and (as the same thing has occurred in the case of Harry's nemesis, Draco Malfoy) lamenting the humanizing effect that an attractive actor tends to have on the villainous characters he portrays; "Isn't this life, though? I make this hero ’ Harry, obviously ’ and there he is on screen ... but who does every girl under the age of fifteen fall in love with? Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy." 12

Aside from these and other slight deviations, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (known as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the United States 13 ), is remarkably faithful to its source text. In fact, BBC film reviewer Adrian Hennigan wrote that Columbus treated "J.K. Rowling's debut novel with a reverence that wasn't even accorded to the Bible." 14

However, not all deemed such devotion praise-worthy, and the film "was criticized by many as being too faithful to the book." 15 One summed the film up as "an adaptation which paradoxically undermines itself by aiming at a faithful replication of the source text' 16 while others merely declared that "a commitment to fidelity (in response to the perceived demands of readers/viewers) compromises the processes of adaptation." 17 However, on the other side of the spectrum, respected critic Roger Ebert wrote that the film had succeeded in doing "full justice to a story that was a daunting challenge ... During [the film] I was pretty sure I was watching a classic." 18

There are a couple of issues that help explain this broad range of reactions ’ aside from the obvious reality of people having different opinions. One of these issues is that this book and film are the first of a series, and so while the actual plot is one of mystery, it doesn't appear until rather late in the actual story ’ the time up to that point being taken up by Harry's introduction to (and the setting up of) the wizarding world. In fact, in the shooting script for the film, the titular Stone is only very obliquely referred to for the first time on the twenty-second page; "Hogwarts business. Very secret' 19 and once more on the forty-third; "the third floor corridor ... is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death' 20 before the characters are confronted with the actual mystery on page fifty-five:

HERMIONE Didn't you see what it was standing on? [...] It was standing on a trapdoor, which means it's not there by accident. It's-

HARRY Guarding something. 21

This means that the actual plot of the first film doesn't start until fifty-five pages into the script, completely ignoring a rule that is not just for "adaptation, it's a rule of screenwriting in general. You've only got about thirty pages to set everything up. Establish your main characters ... ground the audience in the world where your story takes place, introduce the dramatic problem, and move into the second act." 22 Lagging with the opening could add to any pacing problems that might develop, as well as become the source of accusations of too much fidelity by critics. And yet, because this introduction is not just for this film but for the entire series, it's (arguably) necessary, because the plotline revolving around the Philosopher's Stone might be the focus of the first film, but Harry's place in the wizarding world remains a focus of each of the films that follow. To breeze through it would be inexcusable, making the resulting ambling movement towards the main plot of the film all but unavoidable. However, it is worth it to remember that that introduction is part of what the audience is there to see.

The other issue that must be highlighted when discussing the expectations of both fans and critics is the overwhelming, ever-growing Harry Potter phenomenon that accompanies the release of every single bit of news even remotely relating to the series. As Suman Gupta wrote in a chapter of his book entitled Movie Magic : "Very seldom have films been so preordained to be blockbusters, received so much media attention before they appeared ... been anticipated with so much informed readiness." 23

Perhaps Professor Philip Nel put it best when he wrote that "the film does no violence to readers' imagined versions of characters and events, but it does not offer its own creative vision." 24

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

This film, like the first, was directed by Christopher Columbus and written for the screen by Steve Kloves. Because most of the creative team was the same, most of the commentary towards the process of creating this film is similar as well. However, there are some significant differences and additional issues unexplored in the topic for the previous film that warrant its own ’ albeit shorter ’ discussion.

Structurally, the second film is quite different from the first, as the introduction to the entire Harry Potter universe isn't necessary this time around. As Rowling put it; "The first one is episodic ... And Chamber is a more linear structure so it was easier to translate to screen." 25 However, it is also the longest Harry Potter film (though, to be fair, it only beats Goblet of Fire by four minutes), and the pacing suffers for it. As one critic wrote, "You get the sense that its makers have tried to film a novel instead of make a movie' 26 while another pointed out that "watching the film, I mostly felt sensory overload as one special effect was piled atop another. In fact director Chris Columbus has scrupulously avoided anything like genuine emotion." 27

To be fair, he was worrying about other things - namely, his young stars.

Casting these kids at the beginning of Sorcerer's Stone was, in a way, horrifying. I spent the first two weeks on that film trying to get them to look away from the camera, stop smiling and be able to utter one line so I could cut around it. 28

The experience (or lack of same) of his actors contributed in a large way to how Columbus was able to shoot both of the Harry Potter movies he filmed. As none of the child actors had ever done anything professional before ’ aside from Daniel Radcliffe, who had only had a few small roles ’ the movie had to be shot and edited around them. The first two Harry Potter films owe their less-than-sophisticated look to the fact that prolonged camera shots and wide angles were simply not possible in most cases involving the young stars ’ and neither was the endless repetition that can otherwise be associated with film-making. In fact, Columbus "rehearsed very little with the children since ... he didn't want to lose their spontaneity." 29

In Columbus' words; "When we wrapped on Chamber of Secrets , their performances had improved immensely, and they had become seasoned professionals. I felt my job was complete' 30 and with his job complete, so was the second film.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

It is in the discussion of the third film in the Harry Potter series that a more intricate and varied discussion on the pros and cons of the adaptation process can truly commence. This is not to say that discussing the first two films is without merit, but that as the books get longer (indeed, the third one is the first of the series to break 300 pages), and the plots grow more complex, the resulting portrayals on film offer more topics to debate.

Another reason that this progression reflected so obviously on the film series was that Christopher Columbus, director of the first two films, stepped back into the role of co-producer (with David Heyman and others) on this film, leading to Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón being hired to direct. Having previously brought his unique visual style to films like A Little Princess (and consequently proving he could work with children), Cuarón was drafted to lead the Harry Potter series in a new direction: "My approach was that I wanted to do a character driven piece, with cool visual effects, rather than a visual effects movie with some characters running around." 31

At the same time, Cuarón was conscious of the fact that he was stepping into an already-established universe, admitting that "it was one of [his] hesitations" before accepting the position. 32 He solved that dilemma by resolving to serve the material: "and the material meant before anything else the book, and then secondly the position of this film in the franchise of Harry Potter." 33

His overall success may be debatable, but what cannot be questioned is the dramatic change made in the look of this third film. As Columbus remembers: "Most of our sets were already built, but Alfonso had a desire ’ as did our production designer Stuart Craig ’ to open up the picture." 34 Using more wide-angle and tracking shots to heighten the sense of drama, 35 Cuarón was intent on facilitating the overall flow of the film, as well as creating lasting visual connections throughout. 36 Particular focus was paid to images relating to time (Harry spends several scenes in and around a large clock tower at Hogwarts), and identity (there are numerous scenes that start or end on a close up of a character's eye), in keeping with the themes Cuarón had chosen to highlight. The use of darker colours, more haunting music and dramatic lighting ("high contrast, more shadows") also contributed to the "very different look and feel from the previous films." 37

Perhaps the most important decision made to create this result, however, was one that was more philosophical than technical: "One of the things we decided was that in order for the magic to spring forward more naturally, it had to come from a real and honest place ... What we sought to create was a sense of reality in which the characters interact with each other." 38

Cuarón felt that choosing Michael Seresin for the film's cinematography would help to achieve that goal:

One thing that I felt was perfect for Michael was that we have this magical universe that he could really ground. Because he has got that grittiness, and that grittiness comes from the fact that he is a single-source light cinematographer. He's very naturalistic in that sense. I felt it would be a good marriage with the material. 39

And he seems to have succeeded. As Sloan de Forest, editor and contributor to Scribbulus , writes: "[In] the third film, I saw an immense, imposing Hogwarts drained of its warmth but injected with a unique style and grainy realism not present in the first two films." 40 The film was lauded by both critics and fans as being "the closest any of the films has gotten to capturing the enormously pleasing essence of the Potter books' 41 and there seemed to be a tentative collective agreement that Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was a truly great movie. But that does not mean it was a great movie of the book , and as this is the difference that this essay seeks to highlight, more in depth examination is necessary.

The unique thing about the book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban , is that it is arguably not a story in and of itself ’ but the story of a story, which gradually unfolds throughout the book, finally leading to its climactic reveal and the ensuing repercussions. The book covering Harry Potter's third year at Hogwarts is not about Harry Potter's third year at all, but about the events leading up to his parents' deaths twelve years before.

It is fitting, then, that with this book comes the introduction of several new characters, including two of particular importance: Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor Remus Lupin, and the escaped titular Prisoner of Azkaban, Sirius Black. One interviewer notes that their "connection with ... Harry's parents is a major factor in Azkaban's back-story' 42 but though most of that quotation is true, it is the use of the word "back-story" that is the problem.

As Amy Z wrote in her essay An Elegantly Woven Tapestry: Plotlines in Prisoner of Azkaban , "it's true that there is no single central plot in [the story], because one candidate (Quidditch) lacks gravitas, and another (Sirius [versus] Harry) proves to be an illusion." 43 Instead, in the absence of an obvious main storyline, it is the so-called "back-story" that takes centre stage; "while Harry is going about his life ... there is another drama mostly invisible to him (and to us, until the second reading): that of Lupin, Black, Snape, and, if you think about it, Pettigrew." 44 In Prisoner of Azkaban the back-story becomes the main plot, as even though the events transpired twelve years previous, they are unfolding to Harry in the present and the story's climax happens when the truth is finally revealed to all. In that way, there was no conclusion to the events in the past, instead, it was as if those involved were put on hold, held in stasis until Harry's third year at Hogwarts when they were at last able to play it out:

"Everyone thought Sirius killed Peter' said Lupin, nodding. "I believed it myself ” until I saw the map tonight. Because the Marauder's Map never lies... Peter's alive. Ron's holding him, Harry."

"If you're going to tell them the story, get a move on, Remus' said Black, who was still watching Scabbers's every desperate move. "I've waited twelve years, I'm not going to wait much longer."

"Harry' said Lupin hurriedly, "don't you see? All this time we've thought Sirius betrayed your parents, and Peter tracked him down ” but it was the other way around, don't you see? Peter betrayed your mother and father ” Sirius tracked Peter down ”" 45

As Amy Z writes: "We think the story is about Black trying to kill Harry, so the plot seems focused on that; but that's not what the story is about. It's about Sirius in a whole different way, and it's as much about Pettigrew." 46 With the misunderstandings cleared up and the truth of the events of twelve years before revealed, the climax of their story becomes the climax of the book itself ’ one which ultimately ends in near disaster, allowing the fallout to finally occur.

In discussing how she has conceptualized the third book, Harry Potter fan Kelly Parker writes:

I think the third book is more about setting up the series for later on and dealing more with the past and how it is affecting Harry and the entire wizarding world now. It's not so much about his schooling ... his schooling takes a back seat to finding out about his godfather and dealing with all of that. I personally think this is one of the most pivotal books in the series. 47

Unfortunately, Alfonso Cuarón apparently did not see it in exactly the same way: "This film is concerned with confronting [the characters'] innermost fears ... It's [also] a journey of a character's seeking his identity and accepting who he is. To step out of the shadow of his father, for instance, is one of the themes." 48 Putting aside the question of whether or not this is true, the difference of opinion as to the main focus of the story obviously resulted in the exclusion of certain things.

One of the most often cited examples of such an exclusion is the actual back-story of Harry's parents and their friends. Included in this example are several key pieces of information that are either missing from the film entirely, or mentioned in vague generalities that are easily glossed over. The most important piece of information that is introduced in this story is the betrayal of Harry's parents that led to their deaths. It is in this book that we learn that Voldemort could not just go and attack the Potters, and that they would have been safe had they not trusted the wrong person, because of the preparations they had taken before going into hiding:

"Dumbledore told them that their best chance was the Fidelius Charm."

"How does that work?" said Madam Rosmerta, breathless with interest. Professor Flitwick cleared his throat.

"An immensely complex spell' he said squeakily, "involving the magical concealment of a secret inside a single, living soul. The information is hidden inside the chosen person, or Secret-Keeper, and is henceforth impossible to find ” unless, of course, the Secret-Keeper chooses to divulge it. As long as the Secret-Keeper refused to speak, You-Know-Who could search the village where Lily and James were staying for years and never find them, not even if he had his nose pressed against their sitting room window!" 49

The fact that Sirius Black was thought to be the Potters' Secret-Keeper, and therefore the only person capable of betraying them, is rather central to how he became the titular Prisoner , having been sent to Azkaban without a trial. The fact that Peter Pettigrew was the actual Secret-Keeper, and therefore the only possible betrayer of the Potters: " ˜ Lily and James only made you Secret-Keeper because I suggested it,' Black hissed ... ˜I thought it was the perfect plan... a bluff... Voldemort would be sure to come after me ... It must have been the finest moment of your miserable life, telling Voldemort you could hand him the Potters,' " 50 is also central to understanding the story. However, interestingly enough, the word "Secret-Keeper" is never spoken even once during the entire film, and the importance of the role is instead glossed over, when it is referred to at all: "Well, now, years ago, when Harry Potter's parents realized that they were marked for death ’ do you remember? ’ they went into hiding. Few knew where they were. One who did, was Sirius Black ’ and he told You-Know-Who!" 51

Aside from being factually wrong, as it was Harry and not his parents who was marked for death, the use of the word "few" and the phrase "one who did" instead of " the one who did" would imply that more than one person knew where the Potters were hiding. This would, in turn, mean that more than one person would have been able to betray them, rendering Sirius Black's immediate condemnation inexplicable ’ and potentially Peter Pettigrew's later one as well.

Although it minimizes the betrayal of the Potters, the vagueness that resulted from the absence of the word "Secret-Keeper" could still have been explained had another piece of information been included:

Sirius here played a trick on [Snape] which nearly killed him ... [he] thought it would be ’ er ’ amusing, to tell Snape all he had to do was prod the knot on the tree-trunk with a long stick, and he'd be able to get in after me ... if he'd got as far as this house, he'd have met a fully grown werewolf. 52

The knowledge that Sirius Black, at sixteen, sent a fellow classmate to his death without remorse (later saying it was just a prank), would have gone a long way to explaining why of the "few" who "knew where [the Potters] were", he was the most likely suspect: " ˜ Sirius Black showed he was capable of murder at the age of sixteen,' [Snape] breathed. ˜You haven't forgotten that, Headmaster? You haven't forgotten that he once tried to kill me ?' " 53 And although this might be considered a deviation from the central plot, or potentially slow exposition in a genre where showing is prized above telling , film as a visual medium allows for both to happen at once. This enlightening bit of back-story could easily have been accompanied by either a flashback or a montage of images, illustrating what was being said. However, this did not happen, and unfortunately, it is not the most important piece of information left out of the final film, by far.

The fact that Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black, and James Potter are the same Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs who created the map Harry is coincidentally given by his friends is never mentioned, even when ample opportunity arises ’ as seen in the following comparative examples:

Prisoner of Azkaban (the book):

"I happen to know that this map was confiscated by Mr. Filch many years ago. Yes, I know it's a map' [Lupin] said, as Harry and Ron looked amazed. 54

Prisoner of Azkaban (the film):

PROFESSOR LUPIN I don't know how this map came to be in your possession, Harry, but I'm astounded that you didn't turn it in....

Harry walks silently. 55

While this might seem a small, relatively unimportant piece of information, it would only be considered so in isolation. However, this is not so. The connection of each man to his nickname not only solidifies the reality of their once close friendship, but it also connects each to his animal form and the fact that three became Animagi for the fourth: "My three friends could hardly fail to notice that I disappeared once a month ... I was terrified they would desert me ... [but] they didn't desert me at all. ... They became Animagi ... They couldn't keep me company as humans, so they kept me company as animals. A werewolf is only a danger to people." 56

The connection to Animagi is important because of the role that each man's form plays in the overall story. Peter Pettigrew is able to fake his own death and hide for twelve years as Ron's pet rat; Sirius Black is able to both keep his sanity while in and finally escape from Azkaban as a large dog; and Harry is able to discover and reclaim a part of his father, which he finds within himself, when his Patronus takes on the form of his father's stag. And while the first two are obvious in the film without the nickname connection, the fact that James Potter was an Animagus is not, and therefore the significance of Harry's Patronus is lost. This is particularly ironic considering that it is James Potter as Prongs who is arguably the link between the opinions of the fans already stated as to the main storyline of the book, and director Alfonso Cuarón's interpretation: "It has to do with Harry coming to terms with his male energy, his father and what his father is." 57

The absence of this information is notable not only because it details exactly "what his father is", but also because the information was there in the shooting script, but still didn't make it to the final cut:

PROFESSOR LUPIN Before I go, tell me about your Patronus.

HARRY Well. At first I thought it was a horse, or perhaps a unicorn, but I think it was ’

PROFESSOR LUPIN A stag.

PROFESSOR LUPIN Your father used to transform into one. That's how he was able to keep me company when I became... sick. ... There are stories about him and your mother, you know. Some are even true. But I think it's safe to say, in the end you'll know them best by getting to know yourself. 58

As the final cut of the film is decided on by the director (and the editor, at his direction), it is particularly peculiar that none of the dialogue in this excerpt ’ all of which would go towards emphasizing Cuarón's apparent vision ’ appears in the finished version. This would not be a problem were it not for the fact that in losing these aspects of the story, the viewer is treated to a film that is incomplete ’ not only in and of itself, but also as a part of the ongoing series.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

As with the third film, the fourth in the Harry Potter series invites a more detailed discussion on the difficulties and competing interests involved in adapting a book to a film. Fortunately for this essay, most of the issues raised in this discussion differ significantly from those presented in each previous film. One reason for this difference was the inclusion of a new director, filmmaker Mike Newell of Four Weddings and a Funeral fame, who, in his own words, had "never made a film like this before and [had] never made a film even a quarter as big as this before." 59 Unlike the other films in the series thus far, this film presented a directorial challenge even before shooting began. At 636 pages, Goblet of Fire is more than double the size of Prisoner of Azkaban (the longest of the previous three), and Warner Bros. Studio originally intended to split the story in half, shooting the two films back to back, and releasing them close together ’ similar to what had been done for the second and third films of the Matrix trilogy. 60 Mike Newell, however, thought this unnecessary: "As far as I'm concerned it's absolutely possible to do it in one. I think it would be slightly embarrassing to do it in two." 61

Aiming to avoid this, Newell pitched his conception of the story to the producers; "I said to them, I said, I can only make this if you will agree that what we're making is a thriller and we will ruthlessly take out stuff that doesn't go to that' 62 later adding that the whole point of the story was that the villain "needs one tiny, tiny little thing from the boy: three drops of blood." 63 As the first British director in the series, Mike Newell felt that he had the insider expertise necessary to bring an authenticity to the films that they were previously lacking ’ particularly in regards to the British school system: "It wasn't possible for them to get that right. They'd never been to such a school' 64 Newell said, further explaining:

I went through this sort of education. ... I wasn't at a boarding school ... but there's an enormous body of literature books ... and I had read all of those, and I'd been to a school just like it where you were beaten with a cane. I remember some of the teachers being really quite violent ... and it had a headmaster of whom one was likely terrified and then a descending order of authority figures, and then there was... and then there was us. ... I don't see how anybody who hadn't gone through that, who wasn't English, could possibly have suspected that. 65

There are two facets of this quote that require further examination, the first being Newell's view of Hogwarts as being just like all of the typical British boarding schools he never attended. Shaun Hately, author of the essay Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Context of the British Public Schools , writes that "Hogwarts is not a perfect exemplar of the Public School tradition ’ while there is a substantial influence, it cannot be assumed that Hogwarts always follows Public School traditions." 66 Further on in the paper, in discussing corporal punishment, Hately demonstrates that "At Hogwarts, such methods seem to have fallen into disuse' 67 citing a quotation from the first book in the Harry Potter series; "Oh yes... Hard work and pain are the best teachers if you ask me... It's just a pity they let the old punishments die out." 68

Additional evidence presents itself in the book from which Newell made his own adaptation, when Professor Moody transfigures a student into a ferret and proceeds to bounce him up and down, catching the attention of Professor McGonagall:

"Moody, we never use Transfiguration as a punishment!" said Professor McGonagall weakly. "Surely Professor Dumbledore told you that?"

"He might've mentioned it, yeah' said Moody, scratching his chin unconcernedly, "but I thought a good sharp shock ”"

"We give detentions, Moody! Or speak to the offender's Head of House!" 69

To J.K. Rowling, the "worst, shabbiest thing you can do" as a teacher "[is] bully children' 70 and corporal punishment has no place in Harry's world. And yet Newell, who admits that even real English schools have changed now, still felt the need to "[rewrite] a scene to add a glint of schoolboy mischievousness and the corporal punishment it provokes, in which dour Professor Snape ... bonks Harry and Ron in the head with a book for goofing off during a study period." 71 Snape does not appear at all in the scene in the shooting script for the film, 72 so it is obvious that this was a directorial decision. His selection is also unfortunate for the fact that his character is not one to be considered slapstick, nor is his hatred of Harry something in which to find comic relief. However, this twisted characterization appears to be a sort of specialty of Newell's, which is the second facet of the previous long quotation in need of examination.

As with the school he runs, Newell has also assigned headmaster Albus Dumbledore to a role in the film that is not in keeping with any other information readily available about him. His idea of Dumbledore as "a headmaster of whom one [is] likely terrified' 73 is directly at odds with J.K. Rowling's assertion that Dumbledore is instead "the epitome of goodness." 74 Indeed, Hately's essay specifies how the character "as presented in the Harry Potter books seems to fit neatly into the mould of the great benevolent public school Headmaster' 75 and as James A. Morone wrote in his article Cultural Phenomena: Dumbledore's Message , "[he] practically awards bonus points for breaking the rules' 76 citing this quotation from Chamber of Secrets as proof: "I seem to remember telling you both that I would have to expel you if you broke any more school rules ... Which goes to show that the best of us must sometimes eat our words." 77

The issue of the character and characterization of Dumbledore is a difficult one for numerous reasons. The choice of actor to play the role is very much tied up in that ’ especially because it was made twice. Richard Harris, a veteran of over seventy films, was initially cast in the role, which he played for the first two films. Critics wrote that his selection "was perfection; he had that twinkle in his eye and he conveyed that Dumbledore was as solid as a rock and as wise as readers of J.K. Rowling knew him to be. There was a certainty about him." 78

However, when Richard Harris passed away shortly before principal photography was to begin on the third film, a new Dumbledore had to be found. Michael Gambon made his Dumbledore debut in Prisoner of Azkaban , and his performance in both it and Goblet of Fire has garnered several comments ’ though, unfortunately, few have been complimentary: "I have to say that I thought Gambon's performance lacked some of the warmth and humour that Harris provided." 79 Newell, on the other hand, thought he was perfect:

I think that he had not wanted to be the same figure that Richard Harris had been, a figure of enormous Olympian authority who's never caught on the hop. He wanted something to do, simply because he isn't Richard Harris, and what he found in this one is that Dumbledore is fallible, not omnipotent, and indeed is behind the game. A great deal of what he does is about being inadequate rather than super-adequate, which is obviously much more interesting to play. 80

More interesting to play, perhaps, but woefully inaccurate. Even leaving aside the fact that if Gambon did not want to be the same figure Richard Harris had been, his decision to take over the role seems suspect; Dumbledore has been known throughout the series for being the only one Voldemort has ever feared. However, as de Forest points out:

for this fear to be plausible, Dumbledore needs to appear sharp-witted and not cross the line from affable eccentric to preposterous crackpot. ... How can [Newell] expect us to believe that anyone in the wizarding world reveres a panicky, absentminded grump who ... impulsively attacks his favourite student, throttling little Harry about the shoulders and neck? 81

And to Newell's argument that a fallible, inadequate, and behind-the-game Dumbledore creates a more interesting and more humanized mentor for Harry, M.Y. Simms asks in her essay Action! Harry Potter from the Page to the Screen :

Why would the greatest wizard in the world suddenly appear to suffer from chronic anxiety? I understand that things got serious in Goblet of Fire, but consider this: would Yoda, Merlin, Gandalf or Obi-Wan have freaked out when things got serious and danger loomed? ... I think not. ... Where did the ˜magic' of Dumbledore go? 82

In fact, far from being behind-the-game, J.K. Rowling's Dumbledore continues to run steadily ahead, even at the end of Goblet of Fire , after Harry's confrontation with Voldemort has already taken place:

"He said that my blood would make him stronger than if he'd used someone else's' Harry told Dumbledore. "... And he was right ” he could touch me without hurting himself, he touched my face."

For a fleeting instant, Harry thought he saw a gleam of something like triumph in Dumbledore's eyes. 83

Unfortunately, one repercussion from Newell's decision to have Gambon portray Dumbledore in this mistaken manner ’ a decision that is proved to be directorial rather than scriptural, due to the calmer version of the character evidenced in the shooting script 84 ’ is more detrimental than having raised the ire of fans; that being the effect it will have on the next installment of the franchise.

One of the main issues that Harry must deal with in the fifth book is his relationship with Dumbledore and how it has, inexplicably (to him), become estranged. This separation, or distance, that Harry feels causes him great distress as he wonders why the headmaster doesn't seem to care about him anymore. This leads to continued misunderstandings which result in the death of a main character and the discovery of a prophecy. Unfortunately, due to the portrayal of these relationships in the fourth movie, Harry would be unlikely to wonder if the headmaster cared about him in the first place, nor would it really matter to him either way. And the revelation given to Harry at the end, that Dumbledore "cared about [him] too much" and did all he had done because he "acted exactly as Voldemort expects [the] fools who love to act' 85 would scarce be believable from Gambon's discredited caricature. Of course, as Newell has not even read the fifth book, his failure to set it up properly is unfortunately explained.

What's not as easily explained is his failure in setting up even his own film, as he did read the fourth book in preparation. 86 As one critic wrote:

If the film version of [Prisoner of Azkaban] was missing some major plot points, and therefore felt like it was missing a vital organ or two, this one was like finding a skeleton that had been stripped of every conceivable scrap of flesh, leaving only the bare bones behind. Many character motivations were fuzzy at best; my mother, who hadn't read the book, had a million questions for me after we left the theatre. 87

But perhaps this weakness can be understood in reading Newell's approach to creating the film, in his own words: "What you do is you pack it with references and suggestions and so forth which, of course, you have taken from the book. So that a reader coming to the film goes, "Oh, I see. I get it. They did it that way." 88 The idea that fans would be appeased by a few references to aspects of the book, no matter what the quality of storytelling, is problematic at best, insulting at worst, and condescending either way. "The movie ticks through critical plot points like it's checking them off a list' 89 writes Anita Burkam in the article From Page to Screen: Mike Newell's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ; "All that's missing is reasonably paced and plotted moviemaking." 90 That, and the so-called "human truth" that Newell apparently prized above all else: "You become more interested in [Harry's] interior processes, his emotions, than just what goes on' Newell asserts, 91 though it is difficult to understand why he is convinced of this when he, as director, seems more interested in what he can do with Harry's external world than in how to express the character's internal one. "It's one of the most powerful and dramatic scenes' 92 producer David Heyman says, in praise of Newell's work. And which scene is he talking about? The maze in the third task, which, as Dumbledore mysteriously informs each champion, changes people? The graveyard where Harry watches Voldemort's rebirth, duels with him, and comes face to face with the ghost-like shades of his long-dead parents?

No, of course not, that would make sense . Instead, as Heyman clarifies, "We departed from the book a little bit in the sense that the dragon breaks free of the chain that ties him and it leads to a dramatic chase through Hogwarts. Let's just say it doesn't necessarily meet the happiest of ends." 93 Never mind the fact that, as no one dies and Harry completes the task successfully, it does actually meet the happiest of ends, Heyman is talking about a scene in which Harry faces off with the dragon during the first task of the Triwizard Tournament. This is a scene which takes exactly two pages in the book (which includes the detailed description necessary of the medium), but in the film, it clocks in at nearly three minutes ’ a ridiculously long length of time on screen, particularly for Newell, who has said that "all of [these effects] would count for nothing if [audiences] simply didn't feel it." 94

Yet, as de Forest notes, "when a film jumps wildly from scene to scene, frantically flinging in new characters and situations willy-nilly, the seeds of authentic emotional reaction don't have time to be sown and flourish naturally ... the natural rhythm of reaction is massacred." 95 All of this leads to an ending of equal ruination, in what de Forest terms "a thrown-together mess of a conclusion. It seems unsure whether to end on a hopeful note, a tragic note, a portentous note, a humorous note or a poignant note, so it compromises by fizzling out with a flat uncertainty. ˜Everything's going to change now, isn't it?' asks Hermione. Yup. Sure is. Well. Will you sign my yearbook?" 96

While several critics enjoyed the film ’ and several film audiences, too ’ the question of whether or not Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was a good film is not the one that is asked in this essay. Instead, the question of whether or not it was a good film of the book must be considered, and while Mike Newell's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire might be considered a fun, and even wild ride of a film, it remains on the surface, granting only a superficial and distorted glimpse into the story of Harry's fourth year. J.K. Rowling's Dumbledore warned; "You have to make a choice between what is right, and what is easy." 97 It is unfortunate that Mike Newell did not heed this advice.

Harry Potter and the End of This Essay (2007)

"Books have one of the highest ratios of conversion from development to film of any source, including original screenplays' 98 and yet the process of adapting the Harry Potter book series into films is unique in many ways. Perhaps the most important cause of its uniqueness is the fact that the seven book series is being adapted one novel after the other, and yet the seven book series is not yet complete. With the intense secrecy surrounding the story and revelations still to come from the original author, filmmakers must attempt to adapt each of these films from an incomplete overall source text. This only heightens the difficulty and the scrutiny that are already present in the adaptation process. That is why the question of fidelity, though it "cannot be considered a valid yardstick with which to judge any adaptation' 99 must figure in more heavily than it might otherwise. John Tibbetts and James Welsh wrote that "movies do not ˜ruin' books, but merely misrepresent them' 100 as "the accumulation of minor details can create a markedly different experience between a book and a film' 101 and while usually that may not create any problems, Mike Newell's Dumbledore aptly demonstrates that in an ongoing ’ and unfinished ’ series, certain changes have far-reaching effects.

Still, while fidelity holds more importance in this case than in others, "changes made by the screenwriter and director might not necessarily destroy the original. In the best adaptations, narratives are translated and effectively transformed into the medium of film." 102 With the seventh, and last, Harry Potter novel being released this summer, perhaps the remaining films will have a better chance of achieving this transformation.

Mireia Aragay writes in Reflection to Refraction: Adaptation Studies Then and Now , that the real aim of adaptation is

to trade upon the memory of the novel, a memory that can derive from actual reading, or, as is more likely with a classic of literature, a generally circulated cultural memory. The adaptation consumes this memory, aiming to efface it with the presence of its own images. The successful adaptation is the one that is able to replace the memory of the novel. 103

Although Harry Potter is not widely considered a classic of literature, the same philosophy can apply. An adaptation must be more than a filmed novel, without compromising the text it is meant to represent. A good film does not make a good adaptation, and though the Harry Potter film series had a promising start, future directors would do well to keep those words in mind. Notes 1. Cartmell, "Shakespeare on Screen' 33.

2. Tibbetts and Welsh, Novels Into Film , 279.

3. Havens, Genius Behind Buffy , 24.

4. Elrick, "Chris Columbus talks¦."

5. McNamara, "When Steve Met Harry."

6. Elrick, "Chris Columbus talks¦."

7. Hopkins, "Behind the Scenes¦."

8. McNamara, "When Steve Met Harry."

9. Vander Ark, "The Ages of Snape and the Marauders."

10. Rowling, Philosopher's Stone , 102.

11. Millman, "To Sir, With Love' 43.

12. Rowling, "Edinburgh Book Festival."

13. Scholastic editor Arthur Levine, suggested that Rowling change the title of the book for its American release as he felt it was "too esoteric' and the change would convey "more immediately the sense of magic that's in the book" (Heiberger). This, despite the fact that the Philosopher's Stone is an object of legend, often found in myth and folklore (Anderson), and referred to in many areas of study, including religion, alchemy, the occult ¦ while the Sorcerer's Stone means nothing.

14. Hennigan, "Films ¦ Philosopher's Stone ."

15. Krevolin, How to Adapt¦ , 52.

16. Aragay, "Reflection to Refraction' 20.

17. Cartmell and Whelehan, "Fidelity Debate' 37.

18. Ebert, "Sorcerer's Stone."

19. Kloves, Sorcerer's Stone, 22.

20. Ibid., 43.

21. Ibid., 55-56.

22. Krevolin, How to Adapt¦ , 54.

23. Gupta, Re-Reading Harry Potter , 143.

24. Nel, "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bored."

25. Mzimba, "Conversation with¦."

26. Nel, "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bored."

27. Butler, " Potter has the stuff¦."

28. Spelling, "Leaving School' 44.

29. Elrick, "Chris Columbus talks¦."

30. Spelling, "Leaving School' 44.

31. "Y tu Harry¦' 22.

32. Ibid, 19.

34. Spelling, "Leaving School' 44.

35. Puig, "Harry hits his teens."

36. Nazarro, "The New Magician' 39.

37. Puig, "Harry hits his teens."

38. Nazarro, "The New Magician' 38.

39. Trout, "Alfonso Cuarón Interview."

40. de Forest, "Fractured Fairy Tale."

41. Turan, "Prisoner of Azkaban."

42. Nazarro, "Alfonso Cuarón Interview."

43. Z, "Elegantly Woven Tapestry."

45. Rowling, Prisoner of Azkaban , 257-68.

46. Z, "Elegantly Woven Tapestry."

47. Kelly Parker, e-mail message to author, 12 April 2007.

48. Puig, "Harry hits his teens."

49. Rowling, Prisoner of Azkaban , 152.

50. Ibid., 271.

51. Kloves, Prisoner of Azkaban .

52. Rowling, Prisoner of Azkaban , 261.

53. Ibid., 286.

54. Ibid., 213.

55. Kloves, Prisoner of Azkaban , 80.

56. Rowling, Prisoner of Azkaban , 259-60.

57. Nazarro, "The New Magician' 38.

58. Kloves, Prisoner of Azkaban , 125.

59. Fischer, "Exclusive Interview."

61. Geri, "News: Mike Newell¦."

62. Fischer, "Exclusive Interview."

63. Ibid., "Interview: Mike Newell."

64. Associated Press, "Newell puts the Brit¦."

65. Fischer, "Exclusive Interview."

66. Hately, "Hogwarts School of¦."

68. Rowling, Philosopher's Stone , 181.

69. Ibid., Goblet of Fire , 182.

70. Fraser, Conversations with J.K. Rowling , 21.

71. Associated Press, "Newell puts the Brit¦."

72. Kloves, Goblet of Fire , 66-67.

73. Fischer, "Exclusive Interview."

74. Solomon, "J.K. Rowling Interview."

75. Hately, "Hogwarts School of¦."

76. Morone, "Cultural Phenomena."

77. Rowling, Chamber of Secrets , 243.

78. Simms, "Action! Harry Potter¦."

79. Aloi, "Grown Up Magic."

80. Whitehead, "Interview: Mike Newell¦."

81. Witherwings, "Fractured Fairy Tale."

82. Simms, "Action! Harry Potter¦."

83. Rowling, Goblet of Fire , 604.

84. Kloves, Goblet of Fire , 32.

85. Rowling, Order of the Phoenix , 739.

86. Fischer, "Exclusive Interview."

87. Moondaughter, "Under the Microscope."

88. Geri, "Newell discusses¦."

89. Burkam, "From Page to Screen."

92. Geri, "Update: Heyman talks¦."

94. Nathan, "This boy¦' 90.

95. Witherwings, "Fractured Fairy Tale."

97. Rowling, Goblet of Fire , 628.

98. Hopkins, "Behind the Scenes¦."

99. Aragay, "Reflection to Refraction' 20.

100. Tibbetts and Welsh, Novels Into Film , xvii.

101. Nel, "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bored."

102. Tibbetts and Welsh, Novels Into Film , xx.

103. Aragay, "Reflection to Refraction' 20.

Bibliography

Aloi, Peg. "Grown Up Magic." Witch Cinema 19, 5 June 2004. http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_article.html?a=usma&id=8491 .

Anderson, Hans Christian. "The Philosopher's Stone (1859)." Hans Christian Anderson: Fairy Tales and Stories . 25 September 2006: http://hca.gilead.org.il/p_stone.html .

Aragay, Mireia. "Reflection to Refraction: Adaptation Studies Then and Now." Books in Motion: Adaptation, Intertextuality, Authorship . Ed. Mireia Aragay. Amsterdam: Rodopi, 2005. 11-34.

Associated Press. "Newell puts the Brit back in Harry Potter ." MSNBC , 21 November 2005. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10054009 .

Burkam, Anita L. "From Page to Screen: Mike Newell's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." The Horn Book, Inc . http://www.hbook.com/resources/films/harrypotter4.asp .

Butler, Robert W. " Potter has the stuff but not the spirit." The Kansas City Star . 23 November 2001.

Cartmell, Deborah. "The Shakespeare On Screen Industry." Adaptations: From Text to Screen, Screen to Text . Eds. Deborah Cartmell and Imelda Whelehan. London: Routledge, 1999. 29-37.

Cartmell, Deborah and Whelehan, Imelda. "Harry Potter and the Fidelity Debate." Books in Motion: Adaptation, Intertextuality, Authorship . Ed. Mireia Aragay. Amsterdam: Rodopi, 2005. 37-49.

Ebert, Roger. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." RogerEbert.com: Movie Reviews , 16 November 2001. http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20011116/REVIEWS/111160301/1023 .

Elrick, Ted. "Chris Columbus talks about directing Harry Potter ." DGA Magazine: Directors Guild of America 27:5, January 2003. http://www.dga.org/news/v27_5/feat_columbus.php3 .

Fischer, Paul. "Exclusive Interview: Mike Newell for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ." Dark Horizons 24, October 2005). http://www.darkhorizons.com/news05/goblet1.php .

”””. "Interview: Mike Newell for Mona Lisa Smile and Harry Potter 4 ." Dark Horizons 9, December 2003. http://www.darkhorizons.com/news03/mona2.php .

Fraser, Lindsey. Conversations with J.K. Rowling . New York: Scholastic Press, 2001.

Geri. "Newell discusses the challenges of ˜ Harry Potter '." HPANA , 30 November 2004. http://www.hpana.com/news.18430.html .

”””. "News: Mike Newell won't split ˜ Goblet of Fire '." HPANA , 30 January 2004. http://www.hpana.com/news.17863.26.html .

”””. "Update: Heyman talks about first task and Fiennes." HPANA , 11 Oct. 2005. http://www.hpana.com/news.18913.html .

Gupta, Suman. Re-Reading Harry Potter . New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2003.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets . Directed by Christopher Columbus. Burbank: Warner Bros. Pictures, 2002.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire . Directed by Mike Newell. Burbank: Warner Bros. Pictures, 2005.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone . Directed by Chris Columbus. Burbank: Warner Bros. Pictures, 2001.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban . Directed by Alfonso Cuarón. Burbank: Warner Bros. Pictures, 2004.

Hately, Shaun. "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Context of the British Public Schools." HP InkPot , 13 December 2005. http://www.fictionalley.org/authors/shaun_hately/HSOWAWATBPS01.html .

Havens, Candace. Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy . Dallas: BenBella Books, 2003.

Heiberger, Sara. "Harry Potter and the Editor's Pen." Brown Alumni Magazine Online , November/December 2001. http://www.brownalumnimagazine.com/storydetail.cfm?ID=421 .

Harry Potter Archive

Harry Potter Essays

• Environment
• Information Science
• Social Issues
• Argumentative
• Cause and Effect
• Classification
• Compare and Contrast
• Descriptive
• Exemplification
• Informative
• Controversial
• Exploratory
• What Is an Essay
• Length of an Essay
• Generate Ideas
• Types of Essays
• Structuring an Essay
• Outline For Essay
• Essay Introduction
• Thesis Statement
• Body of an Essay
• Writing a Conclusion
• Essay Writing Tips
• Drafting an Essay
• Revision Process
• Fix a Broken Essay
• Format of an Essay
• Essay Examples
• Essay Checklist
• Essay Writing Service
• Pay for Research Paper
• Write My Research Paper
• Write My Essay
• Custom Essay Writing Service
• Admission Essay Writing Service
• Pay for Essay
• Academic Ghostwriting
• Write My Book Report
• Case Study Writing Service
• Dissertation Writing Service
• Coursework Writing Service
• Lab Report Writing Service
• Do My Assignment
• Buy College Papers
• Capstone Project Writing Service
• Buy Research Paper
• Custom Essays for Sale

Can’t find a perfect paper?

• Free Essay Samples
• Harry Potter

Essays on Harry Potter

This 7 book saga about a young wizard, written by a British author Joanne Rowling, has captivated both children and adults for years, making Harry Potter essay writing a frequent task in schools. The first book was published in 1997 and since that time people were mesmerized by the wizard's world and its many wonders. Harry Potter essays follow the story of a young boy Harry Potter. We accompany Harry and his friends throughout his education at Hogwarts and frequent confrontations with Lord Voldemort – an evil wizard who murdered Harry's parents. Essays on Harry Potter portray it as a coming-of-age story about love, friendship, loyalty, duty, and sacrifice that, once discovered, leaves you forever enchanted. Explore our Harry Potter essay samples below – we prepared comprehensive essay samples that analyze the world of Harry Potter. We can also help manage your mischief and write essays for you.

Setting and Theme The main setting in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the Hogwarts Castle Wizardry and Witchcraft School. It is the place where Harry and his fellow students spend their school year. This Castle is accessible via a magic train which takes the students from the normal...

Words: 1141

‘The Fringe Benefits of Failure and The Importance of Imagination was a speech delivered by J K Rowling at Harvard University during the graduation ceremony of the ‘Class of 2008’. In the speech, Rolling talked about two main issues; the benefits of failure and the importance of imagination basing all...

Words: 1051

J.K. Rowling speech: “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination” Rowling’s Speech J.K Rowling is one of the prominent people who has been able to achieve much success in this world as a result of her personality. She is known for being the author of Harry Potter which is...

By the age of two I was learning to read. Not very long passages, and not with perfect enunciation of course, but words on a page, a cereal box or most often a flashcard became interpretable, no longer a mystery to me. As the years progressed, I became a voracious...

Words: 1538

Harry Potter and the Chambers of Secrets Harry Potter and the Chambers of Secrets is novels that false under the genre of fantasy. The novel was written by J.K Rowling, who is a British author. The plot of the novel is a continuation of Harry’s second-year attendance at Hogwarts School of...

Words: 1621

Harry Porter: A Magical World with Endless Possibilities Harry Porter is a series of films that have been adapted from the novels called Harry Porter by JK Rowling. The film is set in a world of magic where possibilities exist yet not known by the characters. It is evident how sorcery...

Found a perfect essay sample but want a unique one?

Request writing help from expert writer in you feed!

Originality and Global Recognition Due to the magic and universality in his movies and novels' creations, which receive positive criticism from all over the world, the Harry Potter series and stories are so original to the world. His stories rose in popularity with all of the readers of his novels and...

The term "Harry Potter" refers to a series of fictional books that portray the life and experiences of a young wizard named Harry Potter, especially his friendships with Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley (Vezzali, Loris, et al. 105). The three are pupils at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry....

Words: 1723

Women have often been looked down upon in past realities and epics, with claims that they are incapable of performing such tasks. Gender inequality has been noted in some myths, where women are only portrayed as men's helpers. They're often referred to as "pleasure instruments" in some plays. Gender and...

Words: 3184

Introduction On September 1, 1998, the first Harry Potter book was published in the United States, aimed at children aged nine to eleven. It was well-received by young readers at the time, and as a result, it became even more successful among the older generation. Another explanation for its popularity, especially...

Harry Potter: A Story of Marginalization and Hope Because of their universality and magic, the Harry Potter series and stories are exceptional. It revolves around an outcast young boy. Harry Potter is a young kid. Outcasts have been viewed as a relegated and undesirably typecast community throughout history. The story depicts...

JK Rowling's portrayal of women empowerment in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone seems to stick to gender expectations. Rowling articulated the desired qualities for women in modern culture through the roles of Hermione Granger and Professor McGonagall. Hermione and Professor McGonagall all play supporting roles in the male characters....

Words: 1216

Related topic to Harry Potter

You might also like.

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Harry Potter — Harry Potter Book Review in 100 Words

Harry Potter Book Review in 100 Words

• Categories: Book Review Harry Potter Harry Potter and The Sorcerer'S Stone

About this sample

Words: 117 |

Published: Mar 17, 2023

Words: 117 | Pages: 0 | 1 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof. Kifaru

Verified writer

• Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 536 words

4 pages / 1793 words

3 pages / 1403 words

3.5 pages / 1676 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Harry Potter

My book report is on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I chose this book because I love Harry Potter and I decided to read the books. It was first published on July 02, 1998. Before it, there was Harry Potter and the [...]

The concept of the hero has been a prevalent and enduring theme. Heroes are often portrayed as individuals who exhibit courage, strength, and selflessness in the face of adversity. One such hero who has captured the hearts and [...]

Since its publication in 1997, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series has captivated readers and audiences around the world. The story of a young wizard's journey from an ordinary life to a world of magic and adventure has become a [...]

The novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, written by J. K. Rowling is the first book in a seven-part series. Harry Potter’s heroic journey through the Muggle World into the Wizarding World shows a growth in himself and [...]

In 1997, J.K. Rowling changed the world forever when she published her first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The first out of a 7 book series, it quickly became a worldwide phenomenon. Originally published as Harry [...]

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling is about an eleven-year-old boy named Harry Potter. Harry soon discovers on his eleventh’s birthday that he is an orphaned son of two powerful wizards and that he possesses [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

• We guarantee 100% of confidentiality!
• Call us: +1(888)684-1320 +1(888)650-9161
• Contacts FAQ
• English Essay

Harry Potter

By essaysmasters

Harry James Potter is a fictional character, the protagonist of a series of novels written by English writer Joan Rowling. In the main series that consists of seven books, as well as whole Rowling’s fictional world, he is known as the only wizard in history who managed to defeat the dark wizard called Lord Voldemort and the only one who survived eight battles with him. Among other things, Harry is a winner of the Triwizard Tournament and the owner of a special Hogwarts Award ‘For Service to the School’, received in 1993 for saving the school of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the monster of the Chamber of Secrets – the Basilisk. The character gained extreme popularity all over the world. Despite difficult childhood and a long chain of challenges, Harry Potter has never betrayed his brave and candid principles, which makes him a truly inspiring character for the generation of readers that grew up with him.

• Free bibliography page
• Free title page
• Free formatting (APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago/Turabian)
• Free revision (within 2 days)
• Free from AI-written content
• 24/7 support
• Approx. 300 words/page
• Font: 12 point Times New Roman
• Double and single spacing
• 1 inch margin
• Up-to-date sources
• Any citation style

Harry was born on July 31, 1980, in the family of James and Lily Potters. His father was an animagus (a person who can deliberately turn into an animal) from the ancient bloodline of wizards while his mother was a muggleborn witch, extremely gifted, especially in potions. All three of them were accepted into Hogwarts and sorted into Gryffindor House, which already tells something about the family; the decision-making magic of the Sorting Hat depends on student’s dominant personality traits and, for Gryffindor, these have to be bravery and pride. Harry himself barely knew his parents (they died when the baby Harry was only one year old), but remembered them with deep respect and love. Every time someone said that he looked like his father, Harry felt proud. Of course, anyone who spoke of his parents unflatteringly aroused the boy’s cordial dislike. Naturally, professor of magic potions Severus Snape gave derisive comments about James which did not add warmth to their relationship. Harry’s feelings towards his father became slightly colder when he saw in the Pool of Memory – a magic device that allows re-experiencing one’s memories – recollection of James and his best friend Sirius attacking unarmed Snape. He did not cease to love his father after that, but his attitude towards him lost his childlike eagerness.

Arguably, Harry’s appearance is quite a metaphor for his personality and his story. He has a puny physique, a short stature, dark hair (similar to his father’s), and bright green almond-shaped eyes (like his mother Lily had). This hints a reader to his strong connection to his family heritage that he believes to be lost and to the type of the hero he is; he is the one who is destined to save others, although does not seem to be built for that. Being a well-developed character, Harry Potter also has many recognizable special signs. Firstly, he wears round glasses and has a recognizable scar in the form of lightning on the forehead. He also has a scar on the left hand in the form of the words ‘I must not tell lies’, obtained after illegal detentions executed by professor Dolores Umbridge. Lastly, he has two more marks: an oval scar on the breast left by the Horcrux medallion (a special magic relic which contained the part of Voldemort’s soul that could let him resurrect in case he died), and a snake bite scar on his hand left by Voldemort’s serpent Nagini in the house of Bathilda Bagshot’s, author of History of Magic.

Harry grew up in a heavy emotional environment but this did not affect his personality in a negative way. The difficult life with the Dursleys, his only living relatives, has formed in him a sort of distrust; yet, he overcomes it after his first year in the school of wizardry. When Hagrid, Hogwarts’ gamekeeper, appears in his life, the boy doubts reality of what is happening until the last. During the first year in Hogwarts, where Harry finally feels like a full-fledged person, the main features of his character reveal themselves, both positive and negative. In addition to kindness and courage, Harry is endowed with such qualities as mercy, compassion, and the ability to self-sacrifice. Harry is a good friend and companion, he does not like to lie, and always tries to help those who need it. Along with this, Harry knows how to raise his voice against injustice, which is due to the hardness of his personality. At the same time, he is quite rebellious and sometimes show certain disrespect towards the rules. Harry often feels tormented by contradictions because of him being the unintended Horcrux of Voldemort (although he does not know it). Nonetheless, his light side always prevails. After the loss of his godfather Sirius Black, Harry acquires a grim determination of revenge.

To continue, Potter never attacks first; on the contrary, he himself often has to reflect attacks. Harry is a leader by nature, and if he has to lead anything (to be captain of the Quidditch sport team or the leader of the Dumbledore Army defense classes), he does it pretty well. Harry never boasts of his fame; moreover, his fame annoys him. He is not always sociable, and despite the fact that he has to contact with a large number of people, he manages to become close only with a few. One might say that Harry’s shortcomings include secrecy that comes from a desire to protect those around him; he often believes that he is better to act alone to protect his loved ones. He rarely shares his feelings and experiences, even with those few close friends. These difficulties with trust and being open tend to reveal themselves even in his adult life: from the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child theatre play we know that Harry has a hard time building relationship with his son Albus; still, he finds a way to become a decent parent.

To conclude, Harry cannot ignore his own emotions and rely only on facts like his father’s friend Remus Lupine does, he is not able to grasp details like his friend Hermione Granger, and he may sometimes fail to treat everything with humor like his best mate Ron or Weasley twins. However, he is able to love people deeply and strongly and intuitively foresee something that cannot be explained in words. His personality proves to be his greatest advantage in the war against the Dark Lord and the quest of destroying his Horcruxes.

Make a paper that will meet all the necessary instructions.

Order now to get it before the deadline!

Related articles

• Partner program

Short Essay And Paragraph On Harry Potter For Students

Here you can read a five-paragraph essay about the Harry Potter books in serious terms. The following selected paragraphs are valuable for learning purposes, especially for young students.

Table of Contents

A Paragraph About Harry Potter

1. Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels by J.K. Rowling. The series tells the adventures of the young wizard Harry Potter and his friends Ron Wesley and Hermione Granger, who are all students of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and want to conquer the world.

3. They have also been criticized for their negative portrayal of certain groups, such as the Slithery, and for promoting witchcraft and wizardry. Even so, the series has become one of the most popular in history, and its influence on popular culture is undeniable.

4. So here’s a quick rundown of the Harry Potter franchise: Whether you’re a fan or not, there is no denying that these books have had a huge impact on the world. Did you know? The final book in the Harry Potter franchise, Deathly Hallows, was published in 2007 and became the fastest-selling book in history. In the first 24 hours of its publication, 11 million copies were sold.

5. The Harry Potter series has been translated into over 60 languages and made into eight blockbuster films. Rowling said she got the idea for the series while on a train ride from Manchester to London. Soon after, she began writing the first book. Harry Potter is often credited with reviving the children’s book genre , which made reading popular among young people again. Research has shown that it encourages children to buy books by other British authors, such as Roald Dahl and Diana Wynne Jones.

500 Words Essay On Harry Potter

Harry Potter is a series of fantasy novels written by British author J.K. Rowling. The series chronicles the life of a young orphan boy named Harry Potter, who discovers on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard. He is taken to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a magical boarding school in Scotland, where he makes friends and enemies, and learns about magic and the magical world.

The series is made up of seven books, with the first book, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” being published in 1997 and the final book, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” being published in 2007. The books were later adapted into eight successful films, with the final film being released in 2011.

The Harry Potter series has become one of the most popular and successful book and movie franchises of all time. It has been translated into over 80 languages and has sold over 500 million copies worldwide. The series has also been credited with revitalizing interest in reading among young people and has been used as a tool for teaching reading and critical thinking skills in schools.

One of the reasons for the series’ success is its relatable and well-developed characters. Harry Potter, the protagonist of the series, is an orphan who is forced to grow up too quickly, and the series follows his journey from a neglected and mistreated child to a brave and confident young man. His friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley are also well-developed characters, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. The series also features a wide variety of memorable and dynamic villains, such as Lord Voldemort, the main antagonist of the series, and his followers, the Death Eaters.

Another aspect of the series that has contributed to its success is its rich and detailed magical world. Rowling’s imagination and creativity are on full display in the series, as she creates a world filled with a wide variety of magical creatures, spells, and magical objects. The series also features a complex and intricate plot, with many subplots and twists that keep readers engaged and guessing until the end.

In conclusion, the Harry Potter series is a masterpiece of modern literature that has captured the hearts and minds of millions of readers and viewers around the world. It has become one of the most popular and successful book and movie franchises of all time, and its relatable characters, rich magical world, and complex plot are just a few of the reasons why it has stood the test of time. It is a story of friendship, love, and the power of good to triumph over evil that will continue to be enjoyed by people of all ages for years to come.

Hello! Welcome to my Blog StudyParagraphs.co. My name is Angelina. I am a college professor. I love reading writing for kids students. This blog is full with valuable knowledge for all class students. Thank you for reading my articles.

Related Posts:

• Undergraduate
• High School
• Architecture
• American History
• Asian History
• Antique Literature
• American Literature
• Asian Literature
• Classic English Literature
• World Literature
• Creative Writing
• Linguistics
• Criminal Justice
• Legal Issues
• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Political Science
• World Affairs
• African-American Studies
• East European Studies
• Latin-American Studies
• Native-American Studies
• West European Studies
• Family and Consumer Science
• Social Issues
• Women and Gender Studies
• Social Work
• Natural Sciences
• Pharmacology
• Earth science
• Agriculture
• Agricultural Studies
• Computer Science
• IT Management
• Mathematics
• Investments
• Engineering and Technology
• Engineering
• Aeronautics
• Medicine and Health
• Alternative Medicine
• Communications and Media
• Advertising
• Communication Strategies
• Public Relations
• Educational Theories
• Teacher's Career
• Chicago/Turabian
• Company Analysis
• Education Theories
• Shakespeare
• Canadian Studies
• Food Safety
• Relation of Global Warming and Extreme Weather Condition
• Movie Review
• Admission Essay
• Annotated Bibliography
• Application Essay
• Article Critique
• Article Review
• Article Writing
• Book Review
• Business Plan
• Business Proposal
• Capstone Project
• Cover Letter
• Creative Essay
• Dissertation
• Dissertation - Abstract
• Dissertation - Conclusion
• Dissertation - Discussion
• Dissertation - Hypothesis
• Dissertation - Introduction
• Dissertation - Literature
• Dissertation - Methodology
• Dissertation - Results
• GCSE Coursework
• Grant Proposal
• Marketing Plan
• Multiple Choice Quiz
• Personal Statement
• Power Point Presentation
• Power Point Presentation With Speaker Notes
• Questionnaire
• Reaction Paper

Research Paper

• Research Proposal
• SWOT analysis
• Thesis Paper
• Online Quiz
• Literature Review
• Movie Analysis
• Statistics problem
• Math Problem
• All papers examples
• How It Works
• Money Back Policy
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• We Are Hiring

Lessons from Harry Potter, Essay Example

Pages: 4

Words: 1052

Hire a Writer for Custom Essay

Use 10% Off Discount: "custom10" in 1 Click 👇

You are free to use it as an inspiration or a source for your own work.

The Harry Potter books express a variety of different themes and motifs such as the importance of friendship and loyalty, duplicity, discovering individuality and true identity, learning to trust others, and the ultimate battle between good and evil. The series follows a young wizard, named Harry and his friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger through their experiences and adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The primary story line involves Harry’s mission to defeat the ultimate Dark Wizard Lord Voldemort whose objectives entail gaining immortality, mastering the wizard world, conquering the muggles, and destroying everyone who tries to deter him, particularly Harry Potter. During the course of the adventures, battles, wins and losses that Harry and his friends encounter throughout the Harry Potter series, we learn about the importance of living and dying well.

In the novel Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire , Hagrid comments, “No good sittin’ worryin’ abou’ it,” he said. “What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does” (J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire ). This mantra and motto reflects living well. A person cannot dwell on what might be and what could have been and truly live a happy and fulfilled existence. Instead of dwelling on Voldemort and evil works, Harry and his friends embrace a mature perspective on living life to the fullest and living life well.

Without dwelling on evil, Harry and his friends do in fact encounter and battle evil throughout the novels. Harry battles coming to terms with Voldemort, what Voldemort did to his parents, and what his ultimate fate will eventually come to be. Harry experiences flashbacks of Voldemort killing his parents, which ultimately drives him to live selflessly and sacrificially. In chapter 12 of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban , Rowling writes, “A wave of piercing cold broke over him— ‘Expecto patromun!’ Harry yelled. ‘Expecto patronum! Expecto—‘ But the classroom and the dementor were dissolving…Harry was falling again through thick white fog, and his mother’s voice was louder than ever, echoing inside his head—‘Not Harry! Not Harry! Please—I’ll do anything—-” (J. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ). Harry later becomes like his mother, selfless and self-sacrificing in an attempt to defeat evil. Honorably living for others transpires into living well.

At the end of chapter 23 in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince , Dumbledore reminds Harry, “By attempting to kill you, Voldemort himself singled out the remarkable person who sits here in front of me, and gave him the tools for the job” (J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince). Through this statement, Dumbledore reminds Harry that the significant difference between him and Voldemort is his ability to love. This symbolizes the key to living well. Harry contains the ability to care, empathize, and love others. Without these qualities, a person cannot live well.

Throughout the series Harry constantly finds himself in the position of self-sacrifice. Once he discovers his role in defeating the “One Whose Name You do not Mention”, Harry lays his happiness, safety, and life on the line for all of wizard and mankind. As an example, in the novel Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince , Harry and Dumbledore find themselves surrendering their own joy and peace for the grander good. Of course Harry longs to adopt the life of a typical Hogwarts student; however, he recognizes that his destiny is to combat and terminate Voldemort. The young wizard is prepared to risk his own life in order to ensure the security and protection of his friends and all of mankind. There is no greater honor than to lay one’s own life down for his friends. Self-sacrifice encompasses the ultimate meaning of living and dying well.

A specific example of self-sacrifice involves Harry’s excursion with Dumbledore to gather what they ponder is a Horcrux. Harry leaves his ampoule of Felix Felicis amongst his group of friends in order to protect them if misfortune and distress should arise. Additionally, Dumbledore is consistently determined to lay his own life down in order to safeguard Harry and his friends at Hogwarts. For example, when Harry and Dumbledore finally reach the area encompassing the locket, Dumbledore consumes numerous goblets of a poisonous potion, contending that Harry carry on pouring the potion into his disputing mouth, in order to obtain and abolish the Horcrux and in turn a piece of The Dark Lord’s soul.

Although living sacrificially, Harry and his friends have a difficult time mourning the death and the loss of loved ones. In chapter 38 of Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix Harry mourns the loss of his mentor, searching for answers regarding the afterlife. Rowling writes, “So you came back, didn’t you?’ said Harry urgently. ‘People can come back, right? As ghosts. They don’t have to disappear completely” (J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix ). Grappling with thoughts and the reality of death are daunting and sometimes confusing. However, Harry and his friends grasp the notion of living and dying well.

In the first Harry Potter book entitled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone , Rowling writes, “After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure” (J. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone). Neglecting to allow death to defeat life is the ultimate principle of living well. The characters throughout the Harry Potter series teach readers the importance of living and dying well. In order to live and die well, a person must not allow death to defeat life and they must be willing to die honorably laying one’s life down for others. Living a fulfilled and honorable life and dying and honorable death encompass living and dying well. During the course of the adventures, battles, wins and losses that Harry and his friends encounter throughout the Harry Potter series, we learn about the importance of living and dying well.

Works Cited

Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire . U.S. : Scholastic Books, 2002. Print.

—. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince . U.S. : Scholastic Books, 2006. Print.

—. Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix . U.S. : Scholastic Books, 2004. Print.

Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban . U.S.: Scholastic Books, 2001. Print.

—. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone . U.S.: Scholastic Books, 1999. Print.

Stuck with your Essay?

Get in touch with one of our experts for instant help!

Helping Eating Disorder Patients, Case Study Example

3.0: Cons, Research Paper Example

Time is precious

don’t waste it!

Plagiarism-free guarantee

Privacy guarantee

Secure checkout

Money back guarantee

Related Essay Samples & Examples

Voting as a civic responsibility, essay example.

Pages: 1

Words: 287

Utilitarianism and Its Applications, Essay Example

Words: 356

The Age-Related Changes of the Older Person, Essay Example

Pages: 2

Words: 448

The Problems ESOL Teachers Face, Essay Example

Pages: 8

Words: 2293

Should English Be the Primary Language? Essay Example

Words: 999

The Term “Social Construction of Reality”, Essay Example

Words: 371

We use cookies to enhance our website for you. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it.

• Essay Database >
• Essay Examples >
• Essays Topics >
• Essay on Cinema

Example Of Essay On Harry Potter- Books Vs Films

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Cinema , Family , Harry Potter , Books , Movies , Literature , Film , Reading

Words: 1000

Published: 01/26/2020

ORDER PAPER LIKE THIS

A Compare and Contrast A Compare and Contrast Harry Potter, the series of J.K Rowling’s fantasy novels has been one of the most popular book-series in history of literature. Millions of readers, especially children used to wait earnestly for the release of every new book from the series. Undoubtedly, the movie series based on the novel too got extreme attention from children as well as teenagers worldwide. But, those who have read the Harry Potter books find the films to be less or different in content than the original stories. It is true that when it comes to reading the novels, it is always a better and far more enriching experience than watching the film. This essay elucidates a compare and contrast between the original Harry Potter books and the films based on them.

The Similarities

When one reads the Harry Potter novels, the story is obviously elaborated exclusively. The language is used in a simple yet highly effective way. The reader gets imbued entirely in grasping the pure literary pleasure while reading the book. Especially, the first book- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is full of rib-tickling descriptions of events involving the Dursleys. In a similar way, the movie too has shown some very funny sequences in the movie. Though the events have been changed at several places to make it dramatic, but the storyline has not been altered much. An amazing similarity lies in reading about and watching the Quidditch matches, magical events, battles between the wizards and above all, the structure and location of Hogwarts. One cannot deny that whichever part of the original story has been shown in film, it seems perfectly fulfilling to what one imagines while reading the books. E.g. the flying Nimbus 2000 in Part I, the dragons in Part IV and deathly hallows in Part VI and VII. The visual effects put life to the scenes described in books.

The Dissimilarities

Mainly it is the detailed content which suffers in films. Is it possible to show each and every detail and plot of a novel in a 2-hour film? Not really. Also, some theatricality is needed to make a film appealing. Therefore, there are some major differences between the books and films. In the Part I, it is shown that professor Quirrell turns to ashes on being touched by Harry. In book, Quirrell actually gets burnt by an enchantment done to Harry by his mother, Lily Potter. Also, Quirrell’s snaps do not result in Harry being tied by a rope in the film. Instead, Harry gets surrounded by a ring of fire. The famous Mirror of the Erised which showed Harry himself with his parents in the film, it actually showed Harry himself with his extended family along with his parents. One major difference between the films and books is in the role of Neville Longbottom and Peeves the Poltergeist. Both of these characters have a colossal significance in the story. Peeves the Poltergeist is supposed to be in Hogwarts since its inception. He is not only a trouble maker and hilarious tormentor but also fights the Battle of Hogwarts bravely. Neville too is a part of the Harry-Ron-Hermione trio while they find Fluffy, fight with Draco Malfoy and make significant contribution for the well-being of Hogwarts in Part I, II and V respectively. Another example of dramatics is seen when Ron and Harry play chess in Part II. There was no rule of destroying the captured chess piece with a sword. Also, the pieces could advice the players in the original story. Dobby, which was initially enslaved by the Malfoy’s but later is freed by Harry Potter is also an important character. He is much more powerful than what is shown in movies. The Part VI- Harry Potter and Half-blood Prince has not been filmed well however, in terms of plot and certain crucial events. (Bibbiani, 2011) It is Professor Snape who is the Half-blood Prince but the story behind it is never told well-enough.

The Understandable Differences

There is no doubt that the books steal the show in terms of content. The films could not portray or demonstrate teh significance and complete story of certain characters like Peter Pattigrew and things like the Marauder’s Map. It is not possible to fit the hours of story-telling into a couple of hours for film. So, much of the Dumbledore’s legacy is not shown. A lot from the history of James Potter and Severus Snape has been cut off (Kaplan, 2010). The finer details of many wizards, witches and magical equipments have been skipped. Above all, the pleasure of reading J. K Rowling’s brilliant words is more than watching the movie. Her words have made readers laugh heartily when she describes the events where Mr Dursley tells harry- MOTORBIKES DONT FLY and when Harry breaks a rib or two trying not to laugh to see Dudley clad in a uniform. Lord Voldemort looks terrific in the films, no doubt. But, as one reads the books, his dark power and personality leaves a greater impression on the reader.

It depends on personal opinion. It also depends on if a person is an avid reader or movie-watcher. But those who can read well and also watch a movie patiently, they would always find the books better to revel in the fantasy of Harry Potter and his great world full of legendary wizards, witches and villains.

Alexandria Kaplan . “Harry Potter: Book Vs. Film, Part I.” November 17, 2010. Retrieved from Web on 11 March 2011. http://www.mania.com/harry-potter-book-vs-film-part-i_article_126469.html William Bibbiani . “The Top Ten Things the ‘Harry Potter’ Movies Left Out.” July 15th, 2011. Retrieved from Web on 11 March 2013 http://www.craveonline.com/film/articles/171155-the-top-ten-things-the-harry-potter-movies-left-out

Cite this page

Share with friends using:

Removal Request

Finished papers: 1109

This paper is created by writer with

ID 282586928

If you want your paper to be:

Well-researched, fact-checked, and accurate

Original, fresh, based on current data

Eloquently written and immaculately formatted

275 words = 1 page double-spaced

Get your papers done by pros!

Other Pages

Staff book reviews, laundry term papers, sponsor term papers, kahn term papers, nephew term papers, abandonment term papers, pinto term papers, eclipse term papers, spiral term papers, meldrum essays, sir richard branson essays, muslim women essays, inner strength essays, biff essays, unitary state essays, the singularity essays, national product essays, workforce development essays, trisha essays, israeli society essays, teen suicide essays, external forces essays, violent behavior essays, security concerns essays, evolutionary ethics essays, green octavia estevez yordalis petit joseph romane essay, example of pros and cons of the shut down essay, example of the relationship between infant mortality income and public expenditures in sri essay, how microcredit help poor people term paper sample, essay on research challenges and benefits, free essay about shaping health policy in new zealand, good theories of ethics or diversity research paper example, free essay on core factor to consider before selecting a project, harlem renaissance 1919 1940 essay, cloud security research paper example, example of environmental impacts of fossil fuel exploration and extraction research paper, the last supper as a cultural formation subject research paper sample, good essay about bp oil spill, sample article review on chemistry in current events, beyond anger a guide for men by thomas j harbin essay example, example of book review on leadership, culture essay 3, free essay on famine and morality.

Password recovery email has been sent to [email protected]

Use your new password to log in

You are not register!

By clicking Register, you agree to our Terms of Service and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Now you can download documents directly to your device!

Check your email! An email with your password has already been sent to you! Now you can download documents directly to your device.

or Use the QR code to Save this Paper to Your Phone

The sample is NOT original!

Short on a deadline?

Don't waste time. Get help with 11% off using code - GETWOWED

No, thanks! I'm fine with missing my deadline

Every Harry Potter Book, Ranked

Here is every book from the immensely popular Harry Potter franchise, ranked from worst to best.

• The Hogwarts Library books are fun additions to the Harry Potter series, providing flavor to certain aspects of the lore and making great reads for fans.
• Quidditch Through the Ages is the most interesting of the three Hogwarts Library books, detailing the evolution of Quidditch and providing great details about the beloved sport.
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a companion book that explores the magical creatures of the wizarding world, offering fans a chance to learn more about these creatures portrayed in the Fantastic Beasts series.

The Harry Potter books are among the most successful of all time, and they continue to capture the minds of readers around the world to this day. Moreover, with the release of Hogwarts Legacy and the news that HBO will be making a TV series based on the books, Harry Potter is just as relevant as ever.

Harry Potter: The Best Everyday Magical Items

The seven main Harry Potter books follow Harry through his seven years at Hogwarts, and just as Harry's journey gets more complex over time, so do the books themselves. The best Harry Potter books are full of mystery, great characters, and a Hogwarts Express-load of nostalgia.

Updated March 18, 2024, by Joe Grantham: Although the books from the main series following Harry himself will always remain the best, there are a few other books set in the beloved wizarding world. The Hogwarts Library books, for example, are fictional books from the series that have since been brought to life by J.K. Rowling and published for muggles to read. As small, fun books that add flavor to certain aspects of the lore, these are great reads for Harry Potter fans.

10 The Tales of Beedle the Bard

A collection of magical short stories.

• A Hogwarts Library book.
• Published in 2008.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a collection of five fairy tales that would be read to wizarding children such as Ron Weasley. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows , Hermione Granger is bequeathed this book by Albus Dumbledore and subsequently reads out The Tale of the Three Brothers .

While the tales are rather captivating in their own right, it is arguably the least interesting of the three Hogwarts Library Books as other than the tale relating to the Deathly Hallows, the other stories aren't related as much to the aspects of the wizarding world that fans love.

9 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

A great compendium for lovers of magical creatures.

• Published in 2001.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a companion book for the Harry Potter series and a real textbook that Harry and other first-year Hogwarts students were expected to purchase. Written by Newt Scamander, who went on to become the main character of the film by the same name, the book is a history of magizoology, and accompanied by illustrations, details 85 magical creatures from all around the world.

It is a fun, witty book that fully encapsulates the magic and wonder of the wizarding world, and it is a perfect read in conjunction with the Fantastic Beasts series, as fans will learn so much about the magical creatures portrayed. Many of the cutest beasts in Hogwarts Legacy were also first documented in this textbook.

8 Quidditch Through the Ages

A brilliant insight into the history of quidditch.

The best Hogwarts Library book out of the three is Quidditch Through the Ages, which was written by J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym Kennilworthy Whisp an expert on the sport. In fact, Hermione Granger once read the book herself before learning to fly, before passing it on to Harry, who needed an introduction to the sport he was about to star in. Quidditch Through the Ages is a fairly quick read that details the evolution and subsequent rise of Quidditch from Queerditch Marsh to the number one wizarding sport around the world.

As Quidditch is one of the most beloved aspects of the Harry Potter series, many readers will love that the book is filled to the brim with plenty of great details about the sport that could not have been covered in the main series. It is also awash with anecdotes, including invented primary sources such as letters from medieval witches and wizards.

7 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

A cozy introduction to the series, perfect for children.

• 1st book in the Harry Potter series.
• Published in 1997.

The first Harry Potter book is a great introduction to the wizarding world for both Harry and the reader. As the shortest book and one which was very much written for children, Harry Potter and t he Philosopher's Stone is fairly simple when compared with the later books. It also lacks the interwoven plots and three-dimensional characters that make the rest of the series so great.

Harry Potter: 17 Best Voldemort Quotes

Nevertheless, the joy of experiencing Hogwarts for the first time is something that can never be replicated, even two decades after its release. Furthermore, Harry and the first-time reader suspecting Snape only to be proven wrong not only works great for this book but the series as a whole.

6 Harry Potter and the Chamber Of Secrets

A fun mystery that introduces darker elements.

• 2nd book in the Harry Potter series.
• Published in 1998.

In many ways, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the perfect sequel, building upon the foundations laid out in the first book. While still essentially a children's book, darker themes are played out as Harry, Ron, and Hermione try to figure out who is opening the Chamber of Secrets.

Still lacking the complexity of the books that follow, it is hard to compare the second book to its successors. That being said, it is easy to forget that nobody could have predicted the culprit was technically Ginny Weasley on their first read. Even more impressive is the fact that this book also sets up plenty for future books, such as Horcruxes and all of the Dark artifacts that Draco sees in Borgin and Burkes.

5 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

The longest book, full of immersion & coming of age elements.

• 5th book in the Harry Potter series.
• Published in 2003.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the longest of the books, which can be off-putting for some, but diehard fans know it as one of the most immersive books and are thankful for all the detail. Its length also means that plenty had to be cut for the film , thus putting even more emphasis on cherished book-only scenes.

The weird thing with The Order of the Phoenix is that the main antagonist, Professor Umbridge, is so well-written that her irritating nature can be a little overbearing. Nevertheless, the spirit of comradery, which spawns in spite of her, produces some of the most wholesome moments in the entire series, from Professor McGonagall defending Harry's career interests to Peeves saluting Fred and George.

4 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The most underrated harry potter book full of mystery & characters missing from the film.

• 4th book in the Harry Potter series.
• Published in 2000.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is one of the most underrated Harry Potter books, in part due to the film adaptation that failed to deliver on depth. When fans return to this book, they quickly realize just how much was missing from the film and how great of a book it is.

Harry Potter: 5 Ways The Books Defined The Magical School Genre

Other than the wealth of characters and multiple plot lines that are woven together, one of the best things about The Goblet of Fire is undoubtedly the Quidditch World Cup final. The end of the book also signals a change for both the reader and Harry, with the death of Cedric Diggory setting the tone perfectly for the last three books.

3 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

An adventure away from hogwarts with an epic conclusion.

• 7th book in the Harry Potter series.
• Published in 2007.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the final book in the series and the perfect end to the story. Despite much of the book not taking place at Hogwarts, following Harry, Ron, and Hermione on their quest to find and destroy Horcruxes is a page-turning joy.

As the golden trio navigates the wider wizarding world, they also have to come to terms with being forced into adulthood early. One of the best Harry Potter book scenes not included in the movies is when Harry stands up to Lupin, who is shying away from his role as a father. Nevertheless, that cannot top the revelations about Snape and the sacrifices he made, putting moments from previous books into a whole new light.

2 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

A perfect self-contained mystery with highly satisfying twists.

• 3rd book in the Harry Potter series.
• Published in 1999.

Just like the movie, the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban book is an absolute masterpiece and even works brilliantly as a standalone. With fantastic characters like Remus Lupin and Sirius Black introduced and an engaging plot full of twists and turns, it is easy to see why this book is a fan favorite.

The scene inside the Shrieking Shack, where everything comes together and all is revealed about Sirius' innocence, is one of the best moments in the entire book series and still delivers after multiple reads. The book also acts as a bridge between the first two installments, which are much more catered to a younger audience, and the rest of the series, which gets progressively darker. The Prisoner of Azkaban perfectly strikes a balance between the two.

1 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

The perfect hogwarts story with flashbacks to voldemort's past.

• 6th book in the Harry Potter series.
• Published in 2005.

Although all of them are great, arguably the best Harry Potter book is the sixth in the series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince . By this point in the story, Harry has already come to terms with his fate, and he and the rest of the wizarding world are bracing themselves for the impending war. As the last book set entirely at Hogwarts, it brilliantly showcases the highs and lows of life at the esteemed school of witchcraft and wizardry.

One of the best aspects of the book is the time Harry and Dumbledore spend in the Pensieve looking into Tom Riddle's past, including the memory that delves into the sad lives of the Gaunt family. Draco Malfoy's struggle in The Half-Blood Prince also helps solidify this book as one of the best. Rereading this masterpiece after finishing the last book hits even harder and makes Dumbledore's "Severus, please" one of the best lines in the entire series .

Infinite Craft: How to Make Harry Potter

The “Harry Potter” Movie vs. Book Comparison Essay

Nowadays, more and more films are being made based on the books’ plots. The trend to make movies according to popular books has developed tremendously with the launch of such film projects as The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. It is known that if the viewer first watches a movie and then reads the book it is based on, it will be very difficult to eliminate the images that the director, according to his vision, reflected in the film. One’s imagination ceases to work, and reading is reduced to the reproduction in the mind of already assimilated images. At the same time, one of the most important tasks of literature is to develop the imagination. The reader must do the work of visually recreating the images the author describes. For my essay, I chose the movie and the book Harry Potter, which differ in many aspects, such as the plot, the details of the narrative, and the representation of the main characters.

The movie Harry Potter is a great illustration of the book. All the actors are perfectly chosen, and the main characters have the same characteristics as the author of the book wrote about. The plot twists and turns are mostly consistent with the source material. The boy’s story, life journey, and experiences are described in the original version. He also goes to a wizarding school and finds friends and enemies. Harry develops his abilities, gets into difficult situations, and gets out of them with agility. Furthermore, the author and director of the book describe him as a brave, kind, and courageous boy.

Although the idea and the main points are the same, there was much controversy. Readers and viewers had a completely different understanding of the story because “Harry Potter” is full of screaming inconsistencies. The first difference in the plot is that the movie omits the entire first chapter of the book when wizards around the world meet and raise their glasses to the surviving boy. Instead, the movie shows Professor Albus Dumbledore and Professor Minerva McGonagall meeting, and then the events of Harry’s hapless relatives begin to unfold.

The next difference concerning this aspect is that the movie omitted important details about the creation of the Marauder’s Map. However, the book does say that Tail (Peter Pettigrew), working for the Dark Lord, was the Keeper of the Potter Mystery (Kostelej and Bagić 19). After all, he was one of those who had a hand in creating the magical thing. It was through him that Voldemort found James and Lily that ill-fated night and Sirius had nothing to do with it. Another difference is that the professor effortlessly shakes his hand when Harry meets Professor Quirrell in Diagon Alley in the first book (Kostelej and Bagić 19). However, he politely refuses to make contact with Harry in the movie. This is troubling, for he could only burn his palms if Voldemort had already taken possession of his flesh (Kostelej and Bagić 28). Furthermore, that happened after the Philosopher’s Stone was discovered.

The next aspect of comparison are the details of the narrative. Harry’s farewell to Dudley looks dramatic in the book, and the reader even begins to feel compassion for the boy raised by such stingy and arrogant parents. On the other hand, the film deprived the audience of this emotion, thus distorting the relationship between the boys. The next difference is that the books explore the story of Tom Riddle becoming the ruthless Voldemort in much greater depth. According to the movie version, the dark lord is just an orphan with a penchant for evil.

Nevertheless, the novels show that his fate is incredibly complicated and creepy. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Albus Dumbledore showed Harry a memory of the Mrax family. In the flashback, Potter saw the home of Marvolo Mrax, Voldemort’s grandfather (Kostelej and Bagić 25). The Mraxes lived poor, having used up their wealth over several generations. However, the most important detail readers learned was that Tom Riddle’s father was under the influence of a love potion, so the future dark lord lost his capacity for love at birth. Marvolo Mrax’s hut later became where Voldemort hid one of his Horcruxes, which Dumbledore found a few years later (Kostelej and Bagić 20). These details change the villain’s perception, which is impossible to achieve based on the movie.

The third aspect of comparison is the representation of the characters. Several times in the film, the audience hears phrases indicating incredible heredity; it is claimed that Harry has his mother’s eyes. Rowling rewarded Lily with a green shade of eyes if we believed the manuscripts. However, the screen shows Harry as a blue-eyed boy, which may mislead people who have read the book. Another difference is that some of Dobby’s merits were attributed to Neville in the movie. For example, the house elf was the one who got the gill for Harry during the Tournament of Three Wizards. However, the film’s writer let his classmate do it, and the same thing happened with the Room of Requirement.

Thus, the book “Harry Potter” and its film adaptation have many differences, but there are also similarities. This can be frustrating and misleading for people who read the story in the book version first and then watch the movie. However, given that the book’s author and the film’s director are two different people, it can be understood that it is impossible to achieve a complete identity. People have different views and can implement ideas differently, which is a significant factor when comparing these narrative versions.

Kostelej, Martin, and Marina Bagić Babac. “Text Analysis Of The Harry Potter Book Series.” South Eastern European Journal of Communication 4.1 (2022): 17-30.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, February 24). The "Harry Potter" Movie vs. Book Comparison. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-harry-potter-movie-vs-book-comparison/

"The "Harry Potter" Movie vs. Book Comparison." IvyPanda , 24 Feb. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/the-harry-potter-movie-vs-book-comparison/.

IvyPanda . (2024) 'The "Harry Potter" Movie vs. Book Comparison'. 24 February.

IvyPanda . 2024. "The "Harry Potter" Movie vs. Book Comparison." February 24, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-harry-potter-movie-vs-book-comparison/.

1. IvyPanda . "The "Harry Potter" Movie vs. Book Comparison." February 24, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-harry-potter-movie-vs-book-comparison/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The "Harry Potter" Movie vs. Book Comparison." February 24, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-harry-potter-movie-vs-book-comparison/.

• The Dumbledore Army: Social Media Power
• The "Harry Potter" Novels by Joanne Rowling
• Literary Values of Harry Potter Novels by Rowling
• Harry Potter Stories and Impact on Pop Culture
• Heroes at Hogwarts: The Journey of the Hero in the Harry Potter Series
• "Harry Potter" Movie and Novel: Plot Changes
• The Harry Potter Phenomenon Analysis
• Harry Potter Books and Movies
• Rowling's “Harry Potter” Books in Connection to Mythology
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
• Reality Television Phenomenon in American Culture
• Popular Culture and Williams' Life of the Mind
• A Comparison of Ariana Grande and Ed Sheeran
• Autistic Spectrum Disorder: The Case of Sheldon Cooper
• Export of Popular Culture Products in Asia

The 10 Most Romantic Harry Potter Quotes

• Love is a central theme in the Harry Potter franchise, providing the foundation of Harry's world and triumphing over adversity.
• The franchise features both quotes about love's power and moments of in-the-moment romance that leave fans appreciating the power of love.
• The Harry Potter love quotes range from controversial and obsessive to heartfelt and beautiful, showcasing the different dimensions of love explored in the series.

The Harry Potter franchise is chock full of important themes of messages such as family, friendship, hope, and, of course, love, both platonic and of a more romantic nature. The Harry Potter franchise is thought of as more of a fantasy coming-of-age story than a story of love, but love provides the foundation of Harry's world when his mother's love saves his life as a baby. Harry repeatedly sees how love triumphs as his friends fall for one another and love brings a bright spot to the middle of the wizarding war.

As is the case with so many of the deeper issues explored by the films and books, there is a slew of romantic quotes that will leave a smile on the faces of fans and leave them appreciating the power of love. Many of the Harry Potter love quotes are more so nuggets of wisdom about love and its power , but there are definitely some lines of in-the-moment romance that will leave fans both happy and maybe even slightly jealous of what they have.

Harry Potter: 10 Most Enjoyable Relationships To Watch, According To Reddit

Severus snape.

As far as romantic quotes go, this may well be the most controversial that the Harry Potter franchise has to offer. However, that is perfectly in line with Snape, who is more often than not the franchise's most controversial character. This line comes from one of Snape's memories as he confesses to Albus Dumbledore that he still loves Lily Potter.

From one point of view, Snape's adoration and deep-rooted care for Lily is beautiful; from another, it is obsessive and creepy . Nevertheless, to those who love this quote and the moment surrounding it, Snape's iconic admission of " Always " could be the Wizarding World's most romantic line.

"The Ones Who Love Us, Never Truly Leave Us."

Sirius black.

A handful of wonderfully delivered quotes on love in the Harry Potter movies may not necessarily be said about romantic love but cannot help but be thought about in that sense , such as this from Sirius. He might be talking about the loss of Harry's parents, but the quote can apply to plenty of other relationships.

For both family and romance, it is the very same message; those who are loved do not leave as they stay in the hearts and the memories of those who loved them. It is a lovely message from Sirius to his godson, and this softer side to his personality is what has drawn so many fans to adore him.

"What Do I Care How He Looks? I'm Good Looking Enough For The Both Of Us."

Fleur delacour.

While Fleur Delacour and Bill Weasley's romance may not be the most popular in the eyes of the latter's family, nor the most prominent relationship in the Potter films , they are a strong unit and gave fans this incredibly romantic quote.

This quote is not just great for its obvious romantic implications, but also because it is pretty funny from the former Beauxbatons student. It is a line that will resonate with many, showcasing that looks in a romantic partnership are far from the most important thing and that the love will stay there even if one person wrongly feels as though their physical appearance is not good enough for their partner.

"Oh, To Be Young And Feel Love's Keen Sting."

Albus dumbledore.

As he does for most of life's most meaningful aspects, Albus Dumbledore has many quotes regarding love that can definitely be taken as appreciation for the romantic. He offers his own observations on the love blossoming among his teenage students, seemingly looking back on love fondly.

This is in response to Ron saying Hermione's name and not Lavender's while unconscious from an accidental poisoning and is a comment not only on young love and the infatuation many teens get wrapped up in, but also on the risk that comes with love and how incredibly worth it that risk is more often than not.

10 Harry Potter Relationships As Taylor Swift Songs

"when you have seen as much of life as i have, you will not underestimate the power of obsessive love.", horace slughorn.

Many of the Harry Potter characters either know first-hand or will come to know the immense power of love, with Horace Slughorn demonstrating himself to be one of those people with this line. Professor Slughorn demonstrates that he's both intelligent and observant many times throughout his appearances in the movies, though he often uses his intelligence for selfish gains instead of to help his students.

There appear to be few things, if anything, more powerful than love, and with all of his life experience, Slughorn is aware of this. It is great to think that when it is true, consuming, obsessive love, the depths of its power can never get counted out.

"But She Wants You."

Arthur weasley.

Tonks and Lupin may well be one of the most beloved relationships among Potterheads despite its severe lack of depth and screentime in the films. Tonks and Lupin fall in love during the war, but Lupin tries to avoid his feelings for her, believing she deserves better than him.

This quote from Arthur Weasley is one of the many great moments involving them in the books - that many feel should have been in the movies . This is Arthur's reply to Lupin, basically saying Tonks deserves better than him - a fear so many have. Arthur's response encapsulates what can so often make romance so incredible; of all the people they could have, they chose a specific individual and loved them despite what flaws they may think they have, and that is a beautiful thing.

"And Without Thinking, Without Planning It, Without Worrying About The Fact Fifty People Were Watching, Harry Kissed Her."

The narrator, or j.k. rowling.

The romantic spark between Ginny and Harry in the films has so often been bombarded with criticism for not existing - a fair assessment - but in the books, it is a far more enjoyable and natural pairing. As Ginny grows up and out of her awkward shyness around Harry, the two become friends in the novels. Harry grows to have feelings for her as well.

This quote is not from the mouth of a character but rather just a written passage that showcases the passion and the lack of care that can come in moments of pure romance. Harry was just consumed by his want to kiss Ginny, and with a brilliant air of spontaneity, he did just that, creating a moment that far exceeds anything the films showcase between the two.

"It Is Impossible To Manufacture Or Imitate Love."

For all the wonders of magic and potions in the Potter movies , not everything can be perfectly replicated, and love is at the top of that list, being a natural thing that can never be matched by something synthetic. Being a master of potions, Slughorn is better aware of this than most others, and the point that he puts forward is wholly romantic. The idea that love is so raw, so beautiful, and so powerful that to make any attempts to imitate it would be futile is one many can take solace in. Love cannot be created or stopped.

This might seem like it contradicts the existence of love potions in the world of Harry Potter , but that's not the case. Slughorn knows that love potions don't last.

"So It's Now Or Never, Isn't It?"

Ron weasely.

Potter fans have their thoughts on the many romances of the saga, including that between Ron and Hermione. However, there is no denying the romance oozing from their climactic kiss in the books.

What is so great about it is how it is triggered; by Ron, mid-battle, saying that the heroes should tell the House Elves to leave Hogwarts, to flee to safety rather than stay and be killed or fight. Even though Harry shuts the kiss down - being mid-battle and all - Ron musters this response, which is such a valid point. They may die, so why not showcase his love for Hermione and vice-versa? The whole excerpt is incredibly touching.

Harry Potter: Ron & Hermione's Relationship Timeline, Movie By Movie

"do not pity the dead, harry. pity the living, and above all, those who live without love.".

Dumbledore lived a long life, experiencing all the trials and tribulations it had to offer, and at the end of it, despite all the controversy and divisiveness surrounding him, he valued the most important ideas, such as friendship and love.

This may well be his best quote on the latter. Life without love is far worse than death , and even though that may be a scary thought for many, there is love all around people, whether that be platonic, familial, or romantic. The dead experienced that love and therefore have no need to be pitied. It is those like Voldemort who live a life void of all love that should get that. This line isn't just one of the best Harry Potter love quotes, but also one of Dumbledore's most poignant.

The Harry Potter movies are available to stream on Max.

Harry Potter

Harry Potter is a multimedia franchise about an orphaned boy who enrolls at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family, and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. Adapted from the novels, Harry Potter is an eight-episode film saga that follows the journey of Harry Potter and his friends, Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley, as they navigate the tricky world of growing up, school life, and magic. Starting from year one and moving to their seventh year, the films chronicle the students' time at Hogwarts while unfurling a sinister plot that centers around the unsuspecting Harry. With the return of the dark wizard, Voldemort, the students and professors at Hogwarts will fight to carry on as the world around them may change forever. Harry Potter has expanded beyond the world of its films and novels with several video games, a spin-off film series titled Fantastic Beasts, and even attractions at Universal Studios.

Created by J.K. Rowling

Cast Alfred Enoch, Katie Leung, Dan Fogler, Jason Isaacs, David Tennant, Ralph Fiennes, Ezra Miller, Mads Mikkelsen, Gary Oldman, Tom Felton, Eddie Redmayne, Richard Harris, Harry Melling, Matthew Lewis, Oliver Phelps, James Phelps, Bonnie Wright, Evanna Lynch, Imelda Staunton, Michael Gambon, Johnny Depp, Robert Pattinson, Emma Watson, Warwick Davis, Timothy Spall, Rupert Grint, Robbie Coltrane, Maggie Smith, Katherine Waterston, Jude Law, Jamie Campbell Bower, Helena Bonham Carter, David Thewlis, David Bradley, Daniel Radcliffe, Alison Sudol, Alan Rickman