Journey of the Hero in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer´s Stone

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The American author, teacher, and mythologist, Joseph John Campbell, is universally known for his work in comparative folklore and culture. His studies led him to discover the pattern, journey of the hero. The sequence consists of three stages and exists in many dealings with Greek mythology as well as current popular culture. A modern example of the occurring cycle is the 2001 production, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. In the film, an orphaned young boy named Harry Potter is invited to study at Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In time, he is involved in a dangerous quest to save the wizarding community from the grasps of the Dark Lord. The film demonstrates aspects of a traditional journey of the hero because Harry departs from his cupboard under the stairs at Four Privet Drive, is initiated into the inexplicable world of magic, and returns home as the savior to the supernatural beings and the boy who lived again.
Harry is first introduced into the magical world when he crosses the threshold between London and the invisible passageways of Diagon’s Alley after receiving help from his supernatural guide, Rubeus Hagrid. The oafish half giant, Hagrid, informs Harry of his fame and wealth in the wizarding world, and invites him to study magic at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry accepts instantly and disappears into the storm, escaping his cruel and manipulative relatives (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone). Hagrid represents the monomyth’s supernatural aid by introducing Harry to his new life and explaining the real story of how his parents passed away. He also provides Harry with information essential to overcome obstacles later on in his adventure. Another element of the hero’s journey is see...

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A classic journey of the hero story is told in the film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone because it contains all three phases of the pattern and consists of multiple elements in each phase as proven above. This modern film represents a perfect model of a traditional hero’s journey sequence. Embedded into this movie is a major theme, humility. Unlike Lord Voldemort, Harry showcases extreme modesty which earns him popularity, and respect. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone emphasizes the importance of humility by making it the reason for Harry’s accomplishment. When he faces his foe, his humbleness is what allows him to obtain the treasured object. Lord Voldemort, on the contrary, caused his own fall when his malicious actions came with gruesome consequences. The movie shows that modesty can tell the difference between success and the downfall of ones empire.

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