Contextual Analysis

 Contextual Analysis 1

03/03/2025

Harry Potter

What is the story about Harry Potter?

Harry Potter, fictional character, a boy wizard created by British author J.K. Rowling. His coming-of-age exploits are the subject of seven enormously popular novels (1997–2007), which were adapted into eight films (2001–11); a play and a book of its script appeared in 2016.

Harry Potter was first introduced in the novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997; also published as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone), as an orphan who is mistreated by his guardian aunt and uncle and their son. On his 11th birthday Harry discovers that his parents were a witch and a wizard and that he, a wizard himself, has been invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

 He also learns that his parents had not perished in a car accident, as his aunt and uncle had told him, but that they instead had been murdered by an evil wizard named Voldemort. Harry was the only person to have ever survived an attack by Voldemort—by somehow rebounding the latter’s “killing curse”—which left him with a lightning-bolt-shaped scar on his forehead. Indeed, Harry’s mysterious survival had all but killed Voldemort, who was left disembodied, and the young boy was thus already a celebrated figure in the “wizarding” community.

reference:Eldridge, A. (2019). Harry Potter | Character, Books, Movies, & Facts | Britannica. In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Harry-Potter. [Accessed 18 Mar. 2025].

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Locations in Harry Potter

1.Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

Location: Leavesden, Watford, England

For the 10 years that the Harry Potter film series was in production, it was lensed at a studio in Watford, a small town northwest of London. At this Warner Bros. Studio, visitors can see iconic sets like the Forbidden Forest, Hogwarts’ Great Hall, and Diagon Alley. 

This is a really interesting place, I really like the colours and the design on the red building. If there were so many people, it could be a bit harder to take a picture like this one to show about the place. I like that it is not very dark or bright light inside, mostly the light is concentrated on the buildings so people can see better how it looks like.

2.Durham Cathedral

Location: Durham, England

You may recognize Durham Cathedral from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the first in the film series. In between classes, Harry, Ron, and Hermione walk through Hogwarts’ halls—in real life, those halls were actually the elegant cloisters of Durham Cathedral, constructed during the 11th and early 12th centuries to house the bones of Saint Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede. A set recreation of Durham Cathedral was built for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and used in the scene where Harry frees Dobby the house elf with a sock. 

I really like how the windows look like and they are all the same, which I very like. If I would come there I would take different pictures at the different time.

3. Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries

Location: Oxford, England

Oxford University’s Bodleian Libraries are among the most famous in the world because of their collection of books (more than 12 million printed items, including rare manuscripts and classical papyri) and storied buildings, some in continuous use since the Middle Ages. When Harry wears his invisibility cloak to enter the Restricted Section in Sorcerer’s Stone (in the hopes of finding information on the mysterious Nicolas Flamel), he’s really skulking through Duke Humfrey’s Library, a reading room within the Bodleian Old Library. 

The inside of the building is so bright and lots of light. It looks like it has so many space and I would take pictures in different positions and angles. this gives me more ideas for my final piece like making videos about this location and taking pictures at the different time.

reference: “Tours.” Ox.ac.uk, 2025, visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/tours. Accessed 4 June 2025.

4. Alnwick Castle

Location: Alnwick, Northumberland, England

In the first two Harry Potter films, Alnwick Castle in Northumberland stood in for exterior shots of Hogwarts Castle. You might recognize the outer bailey as the place where Harry first learned to fly, and the inner bailey as the spot where he and Ron crash landed the Weasley’s flying car. In reality, Alnwick is more than 950 years old and is the second largest inhabited castle in the U.K. Since its construction in 1309, the building has also served as a temporary shelter, a military outpost, and a teaching college. 

This Alnwick Castle looks really nice, it presents an example of historic architecture with its big stone wall. This place is very interesting and ancient, but I'm not sure if I would take pictures of this castle for my project. Or I could if I had a chance see the place more or go inside the building.

5. King’s Cross Station

Location: London, England

Remember that magical moment in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone when Harry watches Ron disappear through a wall at Platform 9 ¾ in King’s Cross station? That scene really occurred at the busy train station, and fans can visit the site where filming took place.

reference:AFAR Media. (2023). Are You a Potterhead? Here Are 7 Filming Locations You Can Visit. [online] Available at: https://www.afar.com/magazine/harry-potter-filming-locations.[Accessed 18 Mar. 2025].

‌I really like this location and it looks very magical when Ron went through the wall and disappeared. I would definitely take some pictures if I would be there and I like all the details like 9 3/4 Hogwarts Express sign on the wall.

Where Does Harry Potter Take Place?

Harry Potter primarily takes place in a number of locations within the United Kingdom. Notably, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, located in the Scottish Highlands, serves as a key location throughout the series. Other important locations include the Dursley’s home in Little Whinging, Surrey; Diagon Alley and the Ministry of Magic in London; and Hogsmeade, the only all-wizarding village in Britain.

reference:Cruz, J. (2023). Where Does Harry Potter Take Place? | Wand Wisdom. [online] Wand Wisdom. Available at: https://www.wandwisdom.com/where-does-harry-potter-take-place/ [Accessed 18 Mar. 2025].

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