Philosopher's Stone Comparison

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Speculative fiction explores events, situations, and technologies that do not yet exist and therefore poses the question of ‘what if’. Fantasy is one of the sub-genres of speculative fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a plot element, theme or setting. This sub-genre is shown in the novel ‘The Night Circus’ by Erin Morgenstern and the film ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, based off the novel by J.K. Rowling. Published in 2011, ‘The Night Circus’ is a novel about two young magicians that are pitted against each other in a game where one only wins by a remarkable battle of imagination and will. ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, released in 2001, is a film about an orphaned boy who discovers …show more content…
In ‘The Night Circus’, this convention is used to portray how people make decisions based on their impact on others, rather than on following their own heart. For instance, one of the main characters of the novel, Bailey, is faced with the problem of choosing between “siding with his grandmother by going to Harvard or following in the same footsteps of his father by going to Harvard” (Morgenstern, 107). This convention portrays the dilemmas Bailey faced when choosing his future path. Another example representing nature of humanity is the instructors of Celia and Marco, Hector and Alexander, who forced them to fight each other with their imaginations and will. As Marco and Celia are both bound to each other for the challenge, “any form of disagreement will inflict unbearable pain to the both” (Morgenstern, 15). ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ also represents the use of nature of humanity, but through the power of friendship. As Professor Quirrell announces that there is a troll in the dungeon, Harry and Ron both immediately remember Hermione being in that area. They both ran towards the girl’s bathroom regardless of what the prefects said, trying to save Hermione. As they finally defeat the troll, Hermione takes the blame on herself when the professors arrive as she is grateful for Harry and Ron saving her (1:13:17 – 1:17:07). …show more content…
Power is shown in ‘The Night Circus’ by illustrating that the game has power over Celia and Marco. For example, both of their instructors physically and emotionally abuse Celia and Marco for not playing by the game’s rules or not trying their best. For instance, Celia’s instructor would prepare her for the competition by slitting her hands open numerous times until she was able to magically heal her palms. Another example of power in ‘The Night Circus’ is when both protagonists are chosen as each other’s competitors, unknowingly, by “binding a ring on each of their finger, symbolising that they are both bound to each other until one dies” (Morgenstern, 33). Audiences are positioned to sympathise with the situation that the characters are forced in and despise the authority that the instructors have over the both. This has a major impact throughout the novel as it allows the readers to perceive which side is good or evil. Similarly, ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ also uses power to portray the differences between each of the characters and their influence. For example, Harry’s aunt and uncle, Vernon and Petunia Dursley, both emotionally and physically abuse Harry because of his magical abilities. Harry faced their overruling rights over him since he was a ‘freak’ for the first 11
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