Themes Of Courage In Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

Courage, by definition means, "The ability to do something that frightens one", without courage most of us would never really live. When being told stories of courage, an idealist form of the word pops into your head. You do not assume it to be an eleven-year-old boy finding out he is a wizard and proceeding to go to a magical boarding school but in the film that is what courage is. In the 2001 film "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer 's Stone", based on the book written by J.K Rowling, captures the emotion of courage by following a young boy as his life is changed and the challenges he must face to survive. Based on character actions, dialogue and camera angles, the film "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer 's Stone" displays a theme of courage. The

Over the course of his school year he most overcome enemies, strange teachers, qudditch, and finding out that after all this time Voldermort is still out to kill him. Along the way he makes good friends with Ron and Hermione, both who are sorted into the same house as Harry. Of the four houses, Harry is sorted into Gryffindor, "Where dwell the brave at heart, their daring, nerve, and chivalry set Gryffindors apart." (Insert Citation) To be placed into the brave or courageous house is one way that Rowling was able to establish the theme of courage throughout the film. In one scene of the film Harry, Ron and Hermione must face a fully-grown troll, but instead of running away, the three friends battle the troll on their own. The many challenges Harry faces through the film showcase that he is more courageous than most first year students. Over the span of his first year with the help from his friends, Harry defeats a troll, uncovers a hidden secret in the castle, and that one teacher may be out to destroy him. The different character actions of Harry show how courage is a central theme in the film. Instead of running and hiding from his challenges he instead faces them head on. In the transition from book to film, Rowling tried to keep as much of the courageous actions of Harry that would fit in a two-hour

The first scene being when arriving to Hogwarts students must first be sorted into their houses by the sorting hat. Harry, who is now aware of Voldermort and his part in Harry 's life, is frightened of being sorted into Slytherin. The same house that Lord Voldermort himself was in. "There 's not a single witch or wizard who went bad who wasn 't in Slytherin. You-Know-Who was one." (Insert citation) When it comes, his time to be sorted Harry shows courage by choosing his own house. He asks the sorting hat to place him in any house but Slytherin. "Not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You could be great, you know, it 's all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that--no? Well, if you 're sure--better by GRYFFINDOR!" (Insert citation) Harry showed the courage to take matters into his own hand and to eliminate the chance of being sorted into the wrong house. Unlike most of the wizarding world, Harry is not afraid of Lord Voldermort. When the two finally come face to face in the climax of the movie instead of shying away from the man who killed his family, Harry speaks to him clearly and passionately. When asked to join Voldermort, Harry firmly tells him that he would never join him. (Insert citation) To this Voldermort replies "Bravery? Your parents had it too..." (Insert