What does the sorcerers stone do in harry potter

The idea of a Philosopher's Stone is a common one in European mythology. J.K. Rowling borrowed the idea of an alchemically created stone with magical properties for her popular Harry Potter series. In the Harry Potter books, there is only one Philosopher's Stone, created by Nicolas Flamel in the 1400s. Flamel's stone is able to transform objects into gold and produce an Elixir of Life which grants the drinker immortality.

The magical item first appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which was released under the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the United States. Scholastic, the American publisher of the Harry Potter books, believed that American readers would not be as drawn to a book about a “Philosopher's Stone.” This choice has been criticized, along with the Americanization of the Harry Potter books released in the United States: small changes were made in the language that characters used out of a fear that Americans would not understand it.

What does the sorcerers stone do in harry potter
Alchemy was widely practiced all over the world through the 1800s.

The Philosopher's Stone is a crucial element of the book. Nicolas Flamel is a friend of Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The two have worked together on alchemy projects, presumably working with the Philosopher's Stone itself to explore its properties. Flamel also turns to Dumbledore to keep the stone safe, and in the early part of the book, it is moved from Vault 713 at Gringotts to Hogwarts, where it is presumed to be safer.

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What does the sorcerers stone do in harry potter
Nicolas Flamel, friend of Albus Dumbledore, turns to Dumbledore to keep the Philosopher's Stone safe.

Cooperating with several instructors at the school, Dumbledore puts a series of obstacles in the way of the Philosopher's Stone to protect it. The series of enchanted protections are designed to foil Voldemort from getting the Philosopher's Stone, as Dumbledore is concerned that Voldemort will rise again. Ultimately, Voldemort is able to penetrate all of the protections except for the last one: Dumbledore cleverly conceals the stone within the Mirror of Erised in such a way that only someone who wants to find the Philosopher's Stone but not use it can get it.

In a lesson about goals and motives, Harry gets it because he looks into the mirror with no intent to use it, and also successfully resists an attempt by Voldemort to take the Philosopher's Stone by force. After this climactic scene, the Philosopher's Stone is destroyed to prevent Voldemort from obtaining it, and Nicolas Flamel and his wife prepare for their deaths. Harry is initially concerned about the two, but Dumbledore points out that Flamel has been alive for over six hundred years, and is probably ready to pursue “the next great adventure” of death.

What does the sorcerers stone do in harry potter
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a LanguageHumanities researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

What does the sorcerers stone do in harry potter
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a LanguageHumanities researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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What does the sorcerers stone do in harry potter
What does the sorcerers stone do in harry potter
What does the sorcerers stone do in harry potter
What does the sorcerers stone do in harry potter
What does the sorcerers stone do in harry potter
What does the sorcerers stone do in harry potter
What does the sorcerers stone do in harry potter
What does the sorcerers stone do in harry potter

What does the sorcerers stone do in harry potter

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Discussion Comments

anon302433November 9, 2012

That's one of the reasons but actually, they did change it because they also were unsure that American children would recognize the term "philosopher's stone", quite rightly too, as this mythology wasn't widely known in the Americas before Harry Potter.

It's kind of sad though, there is no such thing as a "sorcerer's stone", so the change breaks any ties to realism in our world.

anon32636May 25, 2009

To the first poster:

No, they didn't change it because they think we don't know what it is. They changed it because Harry Potter is a children's book, and the editor thought that American children might not want to read something that has to do with philosophy. Sorcerer, on the other hand, obviously has a more vibe of magic to it, and can draw an audience.

anon4332October 14, 2007

Why did they change the title to "Sorcerer's Stone" in the US edition? Did they think Americans don't know what a philosopher is? It's kind of offensive actually. In addition, I think that calling it a "sorcerer's stone" might have gotten the religious right madder than they would have been otherwise.

Why did Voldemort want the Sorcerer's Stone?

The Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone of the Harry Potter story is similar to the one of legend. Both can change metal into gold, both produce the Elixir of Life (which makes you immortal) and both were said to be created by Flamel. It was the Elixir of Life that drove Voldemort's desire for the Stone.

Is The Sorcerer's Stone A horcrux?

No. Although thinking of it as a Horcrux is logical (Because the substance will give the drinker full immortality) It is not a Horcrux. A Horcrux is an object in which a part of one's soul is concealed. The stone does not hide anyone's soul therefore making it a Horcrux.

What are the tasks in the Sorcerer's Stone?

The first challenge is to circumvent a ferocious three-headed dog to reach the access trapdoor; the second challenge is to escape from the throttling tendrils of Devil's Snare, a plant that strangles its victims; the third challenge is to retrieve a flying key from among hundreds and unlock the door into the next ...