Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) is a wonderful introduction into Rowling’s world of magic. The school is a where I would like to draw the attention of this post, namely the students in the school.
Teamwork is the main emphasis at the school. Each student is divided into four houses. As Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith) says, “Your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points. Any rule breaking and you will lose points.” Before the students are even completely integrated into the school, the students are being taught that teamwork is important.
Later, we find out each house is divided even further into literal teams. Harry joins the Quidditch team. The team has seven very specific positions: the Keeper (defending the three hoops), the Seeker (searching for the Snitch), the Beaters (directing Bludgers), and the Chasers (trying to score with the Quaffle). It takes all of these members doing their individual jobs to win the game. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) gets a little distracted watching the game, but eventually remembers his part and nearly swallows the Snitch.
Now to divide teams into even smaller numbers, we have our ultimate team: Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson). This team develops the night the “troll left the dungeon”. After Ron and Harry heroically race to save Hermione, the three develop a close relationship that lasts the rest of their lives.
Working together as a team for a common goal is the main theme in this movie. We see this theme even with the wizarding world as a whole. Witches and wizards seem to choose each other’s company over muggles. Teams are definitely an important part of this mythology.
Another analysis of the themes in this book addresses the duality of this particular story. It focuses on the book, but I think the same arguments can be made about the movie. Click here.
The same cite discusses metaphors in the books. They are the same images seen in the movie, so again I find them relevant.
Come back next time for an old-school favorite!