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Although it deals with serious Themes and death, the book is cheerful and comical. The mischievous Weasley twins, bumbling Hagrid, annoying Peeves, and child-at-heart Dumbledore all provide comic relief. Both RonÂ’s feeling that heÂ’s overshadowed by his brothers and HarryÂ’s missing his parents are depressing, but both are eventually resolved. The book ends on an optimistic note: the evil Voldemort has been defeated and Harry has new friends he can keep in touch with over summer. SorcererÂ’s Stone is the most light-hearted book of the series (of the four published thus far). Rowling says she has no intention of "toning down" the coming books in response to criticism of the darkening tone for younger readers. "I have to write the story I want to write. I never wrote them with a focus group of 8-year-olds in mind. Overall, SorcererÂ’s Stone is a fast-paced book filled with victories and jokes.

The books starts out on an up note because although the first chapter sees the death of HarryÂ’s parents, it also sees the defeat of Voldemort and the optimism and hope that comes from the wizarding worldÂ’s liberation from Voldemort.

The second and third chapters are dominated by the amazing, unexplainable magic of HarryÂ’s freeing the snake and HarryÂ’s receiving mysterious letters. These comically curious events drown out the DursleysÂ’ sour mood just as the letters and the magic in HarryÂ’s blood overwhelm the DursleysÂ’ efforts to stamp out the wizard in Harry.

Chapters ten, eleven, and twelve are the most somber parts of the book. Hermione is nearly killed by the troll, Harry is nearly killed by his possessed broom, and then, in the most serious moment in the book, Harry sees his parents in the Mirror of Erised.

Chapter thirteen is dominated by Harry’s success on the Quidditch field and in researching Flamel’s connection with the Stone. Chapter fourteen revolves around comical scenes with Hagrid and the “harmless” baby dragon.

Chapter fifteen builds up feelings of suspense and danger when Harry is nearly killed in the Forbidden Forest. Chapters sixteen and seventeen are full of mini-triumphs at the end of each obstacle followed by the grand triumph over evil at the end. The book ends on an optimistic note, looking towards a better future. Voldemort has not been utterly destroyed, but he has been defeated for a time.

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