I'm doing a book report for school on Sorcerer's Stone. I have to include the authors purpose. I have been everywhere imaginable trying to find her purpose, and can't find anything. Can anyone help me out? Thank you! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Woowoo48 (talk • contribs) 21:41, December 19, 2015.
- Trying to pin down an author's "purpose" can be hard. Many write because they simply want to tell a good story! J. K. Rowling has revealed that she started writing when she was only six.
- Rowling has discussed how one of the main themes she explores in the books is tolerance vs. bigotry:
- "Because bigotry is probably the thing I detest most. All forms of intolerance, the whole idea of “that which is different from me is necessary evil.” I really like to explore the idea that difference is equal and good."
- One example of this theme is Remus Lupin's lyncanthropy, and his fear of passing it on to Teddy, which Rowling has said was intended as a metaphor for the stigma faced by people living with HIV.
- In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Rowling discussed how, although she didn't realize it at the time she started writing the series, making Harry an orphan was a way of coping with her own mother's untimely death:
- "If she hadn't died, I don't think it's too strong to say that there wouldn't be Harry Potter. The books are what they are because she died."