Different items from a particular series may be similar, but differ in many ways. Through literary analysis, readers can see these similarities and differences. In JK Rowling's Harry Potter series, more similarities between elements are presented. Below will be an in-depth analysis of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and the similarities between the two novels. The description will include similarities including a sense of the roles of hero and villain, the power of friendship, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Harry Potter is an extremely well-known name in the literary world. The wizarding series has sold more than four hundred and fifty million copies since it was first published in 1997. Today, the books are published in more than two hundred territories and available in seventy-three different languages. JK Rowling's fantasy series follows the main character, Harry, and supporting characters, Ron and Hermione, as they learn magic, embark on adventures, and ultimately defeat evil from the first book, through the final issue seven. Interestingly enough, Rowling initially had a rocky start with the publication of the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. After much effort on Rowling's part, the British market published the book first, followed by the US market a year later, changing the title to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Once published, the novel gained popularity quite quickly. The plot introduces Harry, a young wizard learning magic for the first time, and follows his journey to wizarding school where many surprises and adventures unfold. As the series progressed, it received quite a bit of criticism due to the dark tone expressed especially in the later books. Rowling's seventh novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, completed the Harry Potter series in 2007. In this latest story, Harry is in his final year at school and tries to defeat the evil Voldemort, once and for all. Harry and his friends set off on a harsh journey that will ultimately lead them back to Hogwarts for an epic final battle. Over the ten years between the publication of the first novel and the last, readers around the world fell in love with Harry Potter. In the Harry Potter series, readers have observed Harry's entire life from his birth in the first novel, to his final conquest in the seventh novel. The two novels proved to be extremely linked by similarities such as the sense of roles of hero and villain, the power of friendship, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Clearly the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and the seventh novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, in the Harry Potter series are extremely similar in the aspect of the roles of the hero and the villain. Every good story has a protagonist and an antagonist, or a hero and a villain. The first novel in the Harry Potter series introduces us to Harry, first as a child. Even the title of the first chapter, “The Boy Who Lived,” foreshadows the introduction of a very special person. Also in this very first chapter, the evil Voldemort is introduced as he attempts to kill many innocent people, one of which is little Harry. Voldemort is the most powerful dark wizard there is; so scary that people are afraid to even say his name. Despite this, for some reason he cannot bring himself to kill Harry. Even more surprising, Voldemort's killing curse, intended for Harry, rebounded on itself. Because of this, Voldemort was forced to retreat and hide; many people thought it wasdied. As a result, Harry becomes known in the wizarding world as "the boy who lived." Because of these events that happen in the first chapter, Rowling creates a desire to root for Harry, even as a child. At this point, Harry is the damaged underdog by a villain. Harry has what it takes to become a “classic hero”. He is already the protagonist and Voldemort is clearly the antagonist. As Harry goes to school, his heroic qualities slowly show as he confronts bullies and does the right thing. Dumbledore says in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: "It takes great courage to face our enemies, but equally courageous to face our friends." (Rowling, 1997, p. 306) As the rest of the first novel develops, more of the darkness regarding Voldemort is revealed. The fact that Harry was orphaned by the horrible dark wizard is another early sign of being the protagonist. The protagonists must grow along the journey, and this first, devastating wound is what will ultimately motivate Harry to defeat Voldemort in the final book. In the seventh book of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry has grown incredibly as a person and as a wizard. Harry has overcome many obstacles and is finally ready to begin the journey to defeat Voldemort once and for all. In the seventh novel Harry's characteristics are clearly defined. He is extremely brave, loyal and intelligent. Harry is a representation of all the best qualities valued in society, which is what makes him a classic hero and drives readers to root for his victory. However, Voldemort is back and more terrifying than ever. His goal is to conquer the wizarding world and kill Harry. Voldemort is clearly presented as a dark, sinister and power-hungry wizard. Because he is so manipulative, he has an army of followers. Each of these is a characteristic of a villain. Furthermore, it is clear that both the first and seventh novels in the Harry Potter series contain the hero, Harry, and the villain, Voldemort. Another similarity between the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and the seventh novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, in the Harry Potter series is the power of friendship that is so strongly demonstrated. In the first novel, Harry meets Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Harry and Ron become fast friends, and Ron actually helps Harry learn and become more familiar with the wizarding world. Later, a giant troll gets lost in the school and, as a result, Hermione becomes a victim. Harry and Ron come to the rescue and, working together, the three young wizards manage to defeat the monster. One of the guys alone would never have been able to succeed, but together they are powerful. Even later in the novel, the three friends go in search of the philosopher's stone. Many terrifying and dangerous obstacles are placed in their path, but by working together the three friends succeed. The trio's power is a combination of Hermione's brains, Ron's knowledge of the wizarding world, and Harry's courage. The three are loyal to each other and this shows that through the power of friendship anything is possible. In the seventh novel, the friendship between Harry, Ron and Hermione has grown incredibly. The three are best friends who would die for each other. Wanting to protect each other, they embark on a mission to find the horcruxes, which will ultimately help defeat the evil Voldemort. The trio is tested along the way and most of the time the odds are not in their favor, but what makes them powerful is the love and loyalty they have for each other. Throughout the journey the message that friendship and love conquers all is conveyed. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Dumbledore says, “Pity not the dead,.