Themes and Rhetorical Devices in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Seemingly every year, there is a new children or young adult book series that takes the world by storm, although forgettable after a short period of time. However, ever since the first book was published in 1997, the Harry Potter collection has continued to gain popularity, shown especially in the achievements of the movies, merchandise, and theme park attractions. One of the reasons behind the overwhelming success is J.K. Rowling’s use of rhetorical devices. For instance, her symbolism, themes, imagery, and foreshadowing add suspense and intrigue to the first novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which results in the reader eager to read more about the boy wizard. If the story lacked these features, it would be a rather uninteresting narrative and would not have reached the level of fame that it has today.

Throughout Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, there are three main locations that are described in detail and contain much imagery: Privet Drive, Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts. Each one had a significant impact on Harry as he prepared for and started his first year of schooling in the wizarding world. First, on Privet Drive, Harry lived with the Dursley family and was treated very disrespectfully. Later, Hagrid took Harry to Diagon Alley to purchase school supplies, where he shopped in a variety of interesting stores. Finally, the majority of the novel takes place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which is described in such a way that appeals to the senses.

The Dursley home on Privet drive is described as a domestic household, with a father, mother, and son. However, they had to unwillingly adopt Harry when both of his parents were killed. They lead fairly ordinary lives, which is shown when “Mr. Dursley ...

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...le with those specific traits. First, Gryffindor contains members who are “brave and daring” and represented by a lion, such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. The second house, made up of cunning and sly students like Draco Malfoy and Lord Voldemort, is Slytherin, whose mascot is a snake. Next, the Hufflepuff house is symbolized by the badger and contains students such as Cedric Diggory and Justin Finch-Fletchley. Finally, Cho Chang and Padma Patil of Ravenclaw are signified by the wise and witty badger (Schafer 92-94). The Sorting Hat examines a person’s mind and determines, based on character qualities, which houses they are best represented by. It states in song that “‘there’s nothing hidden in your head/The Sorting Hat can’t see,/So try me on and I will tell you/Where you ought to be’” (Rowling 117), showing how you can’t hide your true self.