Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

The Harry Potter series is inarguably one of the best-known series of fictional novels ever written. The vast majority of people might imagine diving deep into the realms of a magical universe, relishing themselves in a utopia as they quench their thirsts unrealized in the real world. Nevertheless, the fantasy rooted in most peoples’ minds is only a minor facet of the novel, as most of the narrative consists of Harry’s struggle with discomforting situations ahead of him.

As soon as Harry discovers that he is a celebrity in the magical world, questions of whether he is qualified as a wizard soon overtake him. From panicking about how to enter Platform 9¾ at the train station to being overwhelmed by self-doubts during the Hogwarts sorting ceremony, J.K. Rowling does an admirable job of capturing the subtle details of Harry’s display of anxiety and lack of confidence.

As time passes, Harry gradually recognizes himself as a special figure, apart from the Muggles, especially when he performs remarkably well in the game of Quidditch, in which he begins to feel a strong connection to his deceased father who was once an exceptional Quidditch player at Hogwarts. In the Mirror of Erised, which reveals the thing one most desires, Harry catches a glimpse of himself with his deceased parents, which serves as a crucial element when he encounters the terrifying dark wizard that haunts his dreams, Voldemort.

Harry soon learns that the reason Voldemort cannot touch him is because of his mother’s sacrifice, which formed an unbreakable shield of love when she placed herself between Voldemort and Harry. Potter also turned down Voldemort’s offer to join the dark side, as he held the strong belief that power and wealth were nothing compared to love and friendship, one of the core values that the author strives to convey throughout the series.

Compared to most readers who regard the novel as a fabricated world that brings more delight than sorrow, I see it as a reflection of the actual world we reside in. As a teenager, I have always found it challenging to blend into my class because I share few qualities in common with them. Bearing a striking resemblance to Harry, questions most adolescents rarely think about constantly flash through my mind. For instance, I wonder whether I really belong at school, or whether the sole reason classmates interact with me is to copy my schoolwork. I rarely have the courage to speak up as I consider my opinions worthless thoughts that would be ignored. Not wanting to risk being mocked or refuted, I decided to remain silent. In addition, I have often thought of myself as inferior, pretending that it was virtuous to be humble. In contrast to the rest of my classmates who indulge in video games and club activities, I thought that I was special, but in a less favored way.

It was not until I met a group of close friends that I realized that being different is not something of which to be ashamed. Similar to when Harry met Ron and Hermione, who insisted that he was a great wizard with a heart of gold, my pals encouraged me to be myself and not to let others define me. I no longer felt alone and gradually my confidence increased, knowing that I was free to express myself in whatever way felt most comfortable.