Good vs. evil: the role of the soundtrack in developing a dichotomy in "Harry potter and the sorcerer's stone"
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Catherine P. Morgan (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- J. Kent Williams
Abstract: Scholars have noted various characteristics of John Williams's film music, such as the presence of character-based themes and leitmotivic composition that creates score unity. What scholars have failed to address, however, is the link between these elements. The purpose of this paper is to develop these connections within the context of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and to show that Williams utilizes specific musical elements to highlight the extremes of good and evil in the main characters. In Harry Potter, musical themes centering on the main character and his arch-nemesis aid in developing the characters themselves and highlight the tension between good and evil. Exploration of musical unity uncovers similarities among themes for specific characters as well as between different characters, which suggests a deeper connection between characters and the idea of good vs. evil.
Good vs. evil: the role of the soundtrack in developing a dichotomy in "Harry potter and the sorcerer's stone"
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Created on 5/1/2011
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2011
- Keywords
- Film, Harry Potter, Music, Music Theory
- Subjects
- Good and evil
- Film soundtracks
- Williams, John, $d 1932- $t Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone. $k Selections $x Criticism and interpretation