Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Identity Quotes

How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Quote #4

HAGRID: See Harry, you're famous.

HARRY: But why am I famous, Hagrid? All those people back there, how is it they know who I am?

HAGRID: I'm not sure I'm exactly the right person to tell you that, Harry.

Again, the movie emphasizes Harry's Journey here as one of self-discovery—learning who he is—more than just stopping the bad guy.

Quote #5

HAGRID: But one thing's absolutely certain. Something about you stumped him that night. That's why you're famous. That's why everybody knows your name. You're the boy who lived.

On the surface, this is a little frightening. It suggests that Harry survived Voldemort's attack solely because of some fate or fluke, and therefore that Harry's identity is determined solely by outside forces. The more he learns, however, the more Harry starts to understand that he's still responsible for who he becomes…and that "the boy who lived" is just a label without a lot of meaning.

Quote #6

SORTING HAT: Hmm...difficult, very difficult. Plenty of courage I see, not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh yes, and a thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you?

HARRY: Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin.

SORTING HAT: Not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You could be great, you know. It's all here in your head. And Slytherin will help you on your way to greatness! There's no doubt about that! No? Well, if you're sure...better be...Gryffindor.

Like Petunia, the Sorting Hat has some very specific ideas for who Harry is. Unlike Petunia, it actually listens to him, and assigns him a House based on his wishes, not its own.