Identity Development in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Throughout the beginning chapters of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone you are introduced to a variety of characters. Harry Potter our novels protagonist shows much growth throughout the first novel through building friendships and finding his destiny. Harry and his family’s dynamic are revealed through the way they ostracize him and treat him like scum. This plus the lack of knowledge of himself give him a clean slate to grow into the character he eventually becomes. Throughout the novel he encounters different types of people, the ones who are who he’d like to be and the ones who he has had to deal with his whole life. The identity development of Harry Potter is developed through the two different sides of people, the ones that have a developed sense of self righteousness and a belief in eugenics and the higher status of blood and lifestyle, and the other more humbler side that loves everyone and is more welcoming to all. Harry encounters his first friend Hagrid at the beginning of the story. Hagrid is the first to tell Harry of his lineage and what he really is. Harry learns for the first time that his whole life has been a lie. This is the beginning of his journey to finding who he is. All Harrys life up until that point has been his family telling him he is worthless and a nobody. He had not a single shred of positivity in his life and was still able to stay away from being a bitter person and a hateful person. His nobility and humble nature is birthed from the lack of having materialistic things and the love and compassion of a family. When Harry encounters his future friend Ron he is immediately welcomed and as they travel on the train Harry doesn’t let Ron be embarrassed by his families lack of money and low status. The exchange between Harry, Ron and Draco is Harrys first step and defining who he is. He has the chance to drop Ron for a higher status and a more extravagant friend and instead choses to stay with the someone who has already shown to have the same sort of compassion Harry is able to show.
Harrys encounter with Hermione is less of an immediate bond than that with Ron. Hermione comes off as a know it all and kind of a snooty character. This lack of social skills on her part will be a stepping stone on her relationship and character development with the rest of the trio. Harrys meeting with Hermione is helpful in showing that someone who has had as much time as him in the wizarding world can come through and not be an complete failure. Harry is essentially able to get a feeling of hope that he will be able to prove himself and not be left behind. Harry meets with Hagrid and this bond increasing gives him more of a sense of family. Harry has never had the love and compassion of a good family and receiving it from the few people who have come into his life so quickly is able to speed up his development and give him a foundation to grow on. Harry through the first novel into the rest of the series is in a constant state of self discovery and growth. He is able to define his friendships and his relationships into what he desires and care about the ones he loves enough to do whatever he needs to do. He is put on such a high pedestal and has so much burden on his shoulders and is able to overcome it all through sheer determination and the help of his friends. He is able to define who he is and who he has to become in order to succeed. Harrys growth is one that all people go through, young and old. This is what gives the book such appealing nature to all audiences.