The name of the street where the Dursleys live is a reference to that most 
suburban plant, the privet bush, which makes neat hedges around many English 
gardens. I liked the associations with both suburbia and enclosure, the Dursleys 
being so smugly middle class, and so determinedly separate from the wizarding 
world (19). 

With Mrs. Dursley being quite nosy, craning over garden fences, and their opinion on their son being the finest boy (Rowling 7), we get a sense that the Dursleys are not the most pleasant people; the stuck-up, nosy neighbor type of people that we have all probably encountered at some point in our lives. Their history doesn’t seem to run very deep. Possibly because they portray a ‘perfectly normal’ image, but we learn of their secret, which is their hate for the Potters (Rowling 7). Potter is a name associated with a conculture created by Rowling. We get a better idea of the type of person Vernon Dudley is when reading the novel, and his views on this culture when he sets out for work one very fine morning. When viewing the film version, it starts as a dimly-lit street and Albus Dumbledore walking towards a house where a cat sits perched on a porch. We aren’t introduced to the Dursleys until after Harry is dropped at their doorstep (8), so we don’t get a good understanding initially, about why Harry is hated so much to the point of having to live in a dark closet filled with spiders (Rowling 20). A reader who lists themselves as S. Helgeson, states their opinion on bringing the book to film, “What I liked least: the opening sequence with the Dursleys which was mostly farce and didn't give a sense of Harry's isolation and growing feeling that someone or something out there wanted to communicate with him” (15). "The room held no sign at all that another boy lived in the house too" (Rowling 19). As noted by Adrienne Tyler, it is Uncle Vernon’s judgemental view of anything unordinary, and Aunt Petunia’s hate for her sister’s difference (22) that we read about in chapter one of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. This gives us more of a backstory and an overall sense of how much of a negative impact this family had on Harry’s life, the unhappiness he feels in this ‘normal’ life of neglect and abuse, and his want to escape. This perspective on the type of family Harry resides with is relevant, because it describes Harry's initial setting as an outsider in more detail.

...stone steps...stone walls...a huge oak door...the entrance hall was so big you could have fitted the whole of the Dursley’s house in it. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches...the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors (Rowling 84-85).

According to Prefect Marcus, there is no technology or electronics in Hogwarts (12) adding to its dark ages atmosphere. Emily Potter shares her opinion on how she feels when reading the book, 

I love this book so much because when you are reading it, you feel like you are inside the book. I feel like I am actually in Hogwarts...I personally think that you should read the book before watching the films (13). 

Feeling oddly as though his legs had turned to lead, Harry got into line...walked out of the chamber, back across the hall and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall. Harry had never even imagined such a strange and splendid place. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles which were floating in mid-air over four long tables...laid with glittering golden plates and goblets...Harry looked upwards and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars...It was hard to believe there was a ceiling there at all, and that the Great Hall didn’t simply open on to the heavens. (Rowling 87)

Ashley Robinson writes, “Rowling wrote all seven Harry Potter books using a third person limited point of view that made Harry the focal point. The narrator can tell us what Harry’s thinking, feeling, and seeing” (17). This creates a strong sense of feeling like readers are there with Harry experiencing everything he does. When walking through the Great Hall in the film, we don’t hear any dialogue from Harry and only see a brief glimpse of the ceiling which makes the scene feel disconnected from any magical or emotional feelings that Harry feels within the book. In an interview with Chris Columbus, he states,

We designed the Great Hall with hundreds of candles that were on monofilament strings and all of them were lit with flames and they were hanging...Those flames were…causing the candles to drop, so suddenly right before we were supposed to shoot all of the kids coming into the Great Hall, candles are dropping left and right. (21)

This would make filming difficult and could explain the very brief glimpse we see. Within Hogwarts,

There were a hundred and forty-two staircases...wide, sweeping ones; narrow, rickety ones; some that led somewhere different on a Friday; some with a vanishing step halfway up that you had to remember to jump. Then there were doors that wouldn’t open unless you asked politely, or tickled them in exactly the right place, and doors that weren’t really doors at all, but solid walls just pretending. It was also very hard to remember where anything was, because it all seemed to move around a lot. The people in the portraits kept going to visit each other and Harry was sure the coats of armour could walk. (Rowling 98)

Reading the book, I feel like the Hogwarts castle is alive and unfortunately it doesn’t feel that way on film. In the opinion of Wakandanvibranium, 

I think that particular brand of magic is what breathes life into Hogwarts, not just for us, but within the story as well. Generations of magic users lived in and believed in Hogwarts, and it was their faith, and ours, that bring the castle alive...What a silly, finicky castle. What a beautiful, loyal home. (23)

Originally stated in the Creating the World of Harry Potter documentary, speaking about the creation of Hogwarts, Stuart Craig, who is a production designer, says that he always starts with the novel for the purpose of description and essentials, then cinematically, details can be added. He also used a map that J.K. Rowling had drawn up herself for geological purposes (20). However, when it came to filming, there were problems filming the real buildings used, such as universities and cathedrals that didn’t really add up when they envisioned Hogwarts (5). 

Hundreds of seats were raised in stands around the pitch so that the spectators 
were high enough to see what was going on. At either end of the pitch were three 
golden poles with hoops on the end that were fifty feet high. Too eager to fly 
again to wait for Wood, Harry mounted his broomstick and kicked off from the 
ground. What a feeling - he swooped in and out of the goal posts and then sped 
up and down the pitch. (Rowling 123)

With this statement, we get a real sense of Harry's excitement to be part of something new. He takes a moment to experience flying at the Quidditch location by himself; not something he was used to, considering the Dursleys never wanted him to take part in any of their family outings, or have any of his own things such as a bedroom (Rowling 20), or his own school uniform (Rowling 29). We lack this sense of excitement when viewing the film as the lesson doesn't take place on the Quidditch pitch. We only see a brief glimpse of it during Wood's lesson with Harry (8). Recently, Harry learns from Professor McGonagall that his father was also a Quidditch player (Rowling 113), and when I read the book, I theorized that Harry may also feel closer to his father by being apart of the same sport. This ties into the theme of death "Harry learns about his parents through the memories of those who knew them...Harry's ongoing and evolving relationship with his parents' memory...perfectly embodies the ongoing connection many children maintain with deceased parents" (26).

 

(2) BBC. “J.K. Rowling - Insights on Creating Harry Potter World.” Youtube.com, uploaded by Melanie Wass, 16 Sept. 2019. Youtube Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qTKRZ9qilU&t=1s

 

(3) Bransford, Nathan. “Five writing tips from reading J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter.”  Nathanbransford.com. 9 Nov. 2010. Web. https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2010/11/five-writing-tips-from-reading-jk

 

(4) Callahan, Diane. “7 Lessons Writers Can Learn from Harry Potter.” Youtube.com, uploaded by Dianne Callahan - Quotidian Writer. 2 Aug. 2017. Youtube Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28Uecmacezg

 

Chazjay95. Hogwarts large pen drawing. 16 Sep. 2015. Foundmyself.com. Image.  

 

(5) Crawford, Michael. “1 2 Creating the World of Harry Potter The Magic Begins DVDrip.” Youtube.com, uploaded by Harry Potter World, 14 Aug. 2020. Youtube Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swY_BEsbO8A

 

(6) N.A. “Diagon Alley.” Languagerealm.com. N.D. Web.            http://www.languagerealm.com/hplang/diagonalley.php

 

(7) Fahey, Tessa. “27 Differences Between The “Harry Potter” Books And Movies That Are Absolutely Unacceptable.” Buzzfeed.com. 12 Mar. 2020. Web.                    https://www.buzzfeed.com/tessafahey/harry-potter-movie-mistakes

 

(8) Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Directed by Chris Columbus. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., 2001. DVD

 

(9) N.A. “Hogwarts: The Founders.” Hp-lexicon.org. N.D. Web. 

 

(10) N.A. “Imagery.” Literarydevices.net. N.D. Web. https://literarydevices.net/imagery/

 

(11) Jordan. “Story setting ideas: 6 effective setting examples and tips.” Nownovel.com. N.D. Web. https://www.nownovel.com/blog/talking-setting-place/

 

Liliribs. The Infamous Dursleys. 6 Dec. 2012. Deviantart.com. Image. 

 

(12) Marcus, Prefect. “When Magic Meets Muggle Technology.” Hp-lexicon.org. 29 Jul. 2002. Web. https://www.hp-lexicon.org/2002/07/29/when-magic-meets-muggle-technology/ 

(13) Potter, Emily. “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling - review: ‘I love this book SO much because when you are reading it, you feel like you are inside the book’.” Theguardian.com. 29 Jul. 2015. Web. 

 

N.A. Privet Drive Sign Picture. Wizardingworld.com. Wizarding World Publishing and Theatrical Stage Rights. N.D. Image. 

 

(14) Raj, Ariel. “5 Things Books Can Do That Movies Can’t: A list of things all book lovers can relate to.” Theodysseyonline.com. 16 Feb. 2016. Web. https://www.theodysseyonline.com/5-things-books-can-do-that-movies-cant

 

(15) N.A. “Readers Comment on ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’.” Nytimes.com. 26 Nov. 2001. Web. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/26/movies/comments-on-harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone.html

 

(16) Reynolds, D. “What literary techniques does J.K. Rowling use in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone?” Enotes.com. N.D.  Web. https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-literary-techniques-does-j-k-rowling-use-220273

 

(17) Robinson, Ashley. “What Is Point of View? First, Second, and Third Person.” Blog.prepscholar.com. 16 Apr. 2019. Web. https://blog.prepscholar.com/point-of-view#:~:text=Rowling%20wrote%20all%20seven%20Harry,situations%20he%20finds%20himself%20in

 

Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Scholastic Canada Ltd. 1997. Print.

 

(18) Rowling, J.K. “Clothing.” Wizardingworld.com. Wizarding World Publishing and Theatrical Stage Rights. 10 Aug. 2015. Web.                      https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/clothing

 

(19) Rowling, J.K. “Number Four, Privet Drive.” Wizardingworld.com. Wizarding World Publishing and Theatrical Stage Rights, 10 Aug, 2015. Web.                              https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/number-four-privet-drive

 

(20) Rowling, J.K. Second Sketch of Hogwarts. N.D. Harrypotterzone.com. N.P. Image. https://www.harrypotterfanzone.com/pictures/jk-rowlings-original-hogwarts-sketch/

 

(21) Smith, C. Molly and Marc Snetlker. “Harry Potter Director Recalls 5 Surprising Stories from the set: EW’s BINGE Podcast.” Entertainment Weekly. 12 Oct. 2016. Web. https://ew.com/article/2016/10/12/harry-potter-sorcerers-stone-chris-columbus-interview-binge/

 

Torres, Jon. Gringotts. Hp-lexicon.com. 2015. Image.
https://www.hp-lexicon.org/?attachment_id=21716

 

(22) Tyler, Adrienne. “Harry Potter: Everything Setup in Philosopher’s Stone’s First Chapter.” Screenrant.com. 6 May 2020. Web. 

 

(23) Wakandanvibranium. “Is Hogwarts sentient?” Reddit.com. N.D. Web. https://www.reddit.com/r/harrypotter/comments/4rjusu/is_hogwarts_sentient/

 

(24) Weiland, K.M. “3 Ways Colors Can Transform Your Writing.” Helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com. 20 Nov. 2008. Web. https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/color-me-vivid/

 

(25) Williams, John. “31 - The Forbidden Forest - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Soundtrack.” Youtube.com, uploaded by HPotterMusic7. 1 Jul. 2013. Youtube Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_RRYfztxa0&t=196s

 (26) Williams, Litsa. “12 Things Harry Potter Taught Me About Grief.” Whatsyourgrief.com. 17 Jan. 2017. Web. https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-in-harry-potter/

A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with people. A sign overhead said Hogwarts Express, 11 o’clock” (Rowling 71). Harry enters Platform 9 ¾ after frantically, but successfully locating the gateway. When explaining the importance of a detailed setting, an author named Jordan writes, “ A magical ‘elsewhere’ is one of the key ingredients of many fantasy novels, particularly in portal fantasies where characters travel between our ordinary world and a world of magical landscapes and creatures” (11). Again, Rowling uses colour in her description, this time to describe the Hogwarts Express creating vividness, and we illustrate that image in our minds. The moment Harry sees the train, his, and our excitement grows. “Harry looked behind him and saw a wrought iron archway where the ticket box had been, with the words Platform Nine and Three Quarters on it. He had done it" (Rowling 71). Rowling also uses animals in her description of the platform, “...while cats of every colour wound here and there between their legs. Owls hooted to each other in a disgruntled sort of way over the babble and the scraping of heavy trunks” (Rowling 71). This is such an abnormal thing to think of when imagining a train station, which is why the description seems magical. Unfortunately we do not witness this in the film.

...trying to look at everything at once: the shops, the things outside them, the people doing their shopping...A low, soft hooting came from a dark shop with a sign saying Eeylops Owl Emporium...shops selling robes...telescopes...strange silver instruments Harry had never seen before...spell books, quills and rolls of parchment, potion bottles, globes of the moon. (Rowling 56)

Imagining this description, creates a magical illustration in a reader’s head and experiences it from Harry’s perspective, who has very little knowledge of the wizarding world and everything it contains. It gives a reader a sense of astonishment of the location and connection to the character. 

Within Diagon Alley, sits Gringotts Wizards’ Bank, described as “a snowy-white building which towered over the other little shops...burnished bronzed doors” (Rowling 56). Rowling embellishes the description with colour explained by K.M. Weiland as a way to “ add a splash of life to a description” (24). The idea of Gringotts seemed a little daunting to Harry when Hagrid says, “Run by goblins...Never mess with goblins, Harry. Gringotts is the safest place in the world fer anything yeh want ter keep safe” (Rowling 50) and then presented with a message on one of the Gringotts doors:

Of finding more than treasure there (Rowling 56-57).

Noted on Hollywood.com, “When Harry visits Gringotts for the very first time, he reads this sign on the building...you later learn that someone tried to rob it, the very same day they visited” (1). Rowing very cleverly creates this poem as a way to foreshadow within the book. Hagrid mentions why it would be mad to try to rob Gringotts, 

‘Spells - enchantments,’ said Hagrid, unfolding his newspaper as he spoke. ‘They say there’s dragons guardin’ the high security vaults. And then yeh gotta find yer way - Gringotts is hundreds of miles under London, see. Deep under the Underground. Yeh’d die of hunger tryin’ ter get out (Rowling 51). 

It isn’t described or even shown in the film how far down the vaults of Gringotts are located, we only see the characters deboarding the cart to access the vaults. Knowing of the depth, and everything used to protect the vaults’ contents, gives readers a sense of mystery, especially in the first of a long series; it keeps us intrigued. There is a disparate description between Diagon Alley and the entrance of Gringotts Bank compared to the cave-like passages to the vaults. Rowling adequately creates depth to the story by describing these two locations in such a contrasting way. Stated by author Nathan Bransford, “The charming-ness of the world is the foundation for the depth of the danger and suspense to come” (3).

A voice echoed through the train: ‘We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes’ time...Harry’s stomach lurched with nerves...People pushed their way towards the door and out on to a tiny, dark platform. Harry shivered in the cold night air. (Rowling 83) 

When reading descriptive dialogue like this, it places the reader in that world and allows them to imagine all aspects of the location and what the character is feeling. 

...a steep, narrow path. It was so dark either side of them that Harry thought there must be thick trees there...The narrow path had opened suddenly on to the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers...It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood. (Rowling 83)

When reading this passage, I get the feeling that the students are approaching an immense, enchanted, powerful entity, “...the finest school of witchcraft and wizardry in the world” (Rowling 47) according to Hagrid. I personally didn’t like the song choice in the film for the arrival to Hogwarts when compared to the feeling I had imagined when reading the book. In the film, the song starts sounding rich and mystical, but then changes to a song that reminds me of either a circus or a ballet.