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THE ROLE OF PHONETIC STYLISTIC DEVICES IN CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
AND READER ENGAGEMENT IN 'HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S
STONE'
Fayziyev Bakhodir Baxshilloyevich
a teacher of Bukhara State University,
English literary studies and translation department
Abstract:
This paper examines the role of phonetic stylistic devices—namely alliteration,
assonance, and onomatopoeia—in shaping the immersive experience of Harry Potter and the
Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. These linguistic elements contribute significantly to
character development, mood establishment, and reader engagement. Alliteration is prominently
used in character names and spells, reinforcing personality traits and making them more
memorable. Assonance enhances the lyrical quality of the text, deepening the sense of wonder
and adventure. Onomatopoeia brings scenes to life by creating auditory imagery that heightens
emotional responses and narrative tension. Furthermore, the phonetic contrasts between
benevolent and malevolent characters reinforce the story’s moral framework, guiding readers’
perceptions. By weaving these phonetic devices into key moments of the plot, Rowling creates a
rhythmic and cohesive storytelling experience that captivates audiences. This study highlights
how sound and meaning interact in Rowling’s work, ultimately enriching the thematic depth and
immersive quality of her fantasy world.
Key words:
Alliteration, Assonance, Onomatopoeia, Character development, Mood
establishment, Reader engagement, Narrative structure
Phonetic stylistic devices, which cover elements such as alliteration, assonance and
onomatopoeia, play an important role in J.K. Harry Potter and Rowling’s philosopher stone.
These devices are not simply aesthetic; They influence the development of the character,
establish mood and improve the participation of the reader throughout the narrative. Analyzing
these phonetic characteristics provides information on how language shapes the immersive
experience of a fantasy world.
Alliteration is one of the most vibrant stylistic devices used by Rowling. For example, the names
of characters and spells often exhibit alliterative patterns, underlining their features or roles
within the story. The character Albus Dumbledore exemplifies the prominent use of phonetics in
the name of the characters, which suggests wisdom and complexity (both, 2015). This sound
repetition creates a lyrical quality that resonates with readers, which makes the names more
memorable and align them with the personalities of the characters. Therefore, Dumbledore’s
name is rich in knowledge and authority connotations, improving his stature as a guide figure for
Harry and others in the narrative.
In addition, Assonance fulfills a similar function, enriching the narrative through the vocal
sounds that create musicality in dialogues and descriptions. For example, when Harry first
reaches Hogwarts, the descriptive language immerses readers in the lovely atmosphere of the
school, characterized by phrases that evoke curiosity and amazement. The effect of assonance
captures the capricious nature of the magical world, inviting readers to an adventure that feels
magical and fundamental (P outo & Alim, 2024). This sound game encourages readers to
feel the emotion of the discovery together with Harry, emphasizing the issues of friendship and
growth that are fundamental to the plot.
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In addition, Onomatopeya plays a crucial role in establishing a mood throughout the text.
Rowling uses immutable words to sound to give life to scenes, whether they represent magical
duels or quiet moments of reflection on Harry’s trip. Onomatopoeia instances such as Bang,
Crash and Whisper not only transmit vivid images, but also evoke emotional responses from
readers, underlining the tension or tranquility of a scene. For example, chaotic sounds during a
Quidditch party increase emotion and urgency, effectively attracting readers to action and
forcing them to empathize with the experiences of the characters (Benmoussa, N.D.).
The phonetic devices in Harry Potter and the stone of the philosopher contribute to the
development of the character, since they often reveal subtletyrs of personality and intention. The
characters that are aligned with the dark, such as Voldemort, are frequently associated with
tougher sounds, creating an auditory contrast with the softest phonetic qualities of the most
benevolent characters. This contrast serves to reinforce the moral dichotomy present in
Rowling’s narrative, guiding the reader’s perceptions to distinctive heroes and villains. As
Ramdani and Hennad (2022) point out, phonetic elections reflect broader issues of well versus
evil and help delineate the character arches that evolve throughout the narrative.
In addition to the development of the character, the impact of phonetic stylistic devices in mood
cannot be exaggerated. Rowling orchestra carefully the sounds of words to evoke specific
feelings within their readers, shaping their emotional responses to the events that take place. For
example, disturbing sounds associated with the forbidden forest create an atmosphere of mystery
and danger, increasing the tension as Harry sails this treacherous space. Such elements that
establish the mood encourage readers to commit more deeply, providing a richer and more
nuanced understanding of the characters and their environments (Bidasiuk et al., 2023).
The commitment to Harry Potter and the philosopher of the stone is even more improved through
the interaction of phonetic devices with the narrative structure. Rowling’s use not only attracts
readers to history, but also reinforces the issues and key motives. By integrating alliteration and
assonance in the fundamental moments of the plot, such as spell reading or the development of
magical events, the author creates a rhythm that guides readers through important transitions in
trips of characters and plot developments (Glinka, Zaicenko and Machulianska, 2021). This
rhythmic guide keeps readers attentive and provides a sense of cohesion that strengthens the
general narrative.
Ultimately, phonetic stylistic devices in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone serve as
essential tools for the development of the character, the establishment of the mood and the
commitment of the readers. Through the intelligent use of alliteration, assonance and
onomatopoeia, Rowling creates a text that resonates both emotionally and intellectually with its
audience. By intertwining sound and meaning, not only enriches the reading experience, but also
invites readers to explore deeper issues about morality, friendship and self-discovery embedded
within their fantastic world (NGOs and Dipolog-Ubanan, 2021). Through this analysis, it is
evident that the phonetic elections in Rowling’s work create a vibrant and immersive landscape
that continues to love and involve readers of all ages.
Citations:
1.
Glinka, N., Zaichenko, Y., & Machulianska, A. (2021). Stylistic Portrait of English
Fantasy Texts (Based on Jordan’s The Eye of the World, Martin’s A Game of Thrones,
Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of
Secrets). Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume, 12.
2.
Ramdani, H., & Hennad, A. (2022). A Critical Analysis of Fictional Expressions
Translation from English into Arabic in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and philosopher's stone
(Doctoral dissertation, Mouloud Mammeri University of Tizi–Ouzou).
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3.
Purnomo, H., & Alim, B. S. (2024). AN ANALYSIS OF SPELLING LANGUAGE “IN
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE” BY JK ROWLING. WIDYALOKA,
11(2).
4.
BENMOUSSA, Y. Investigating the Exploitation of Discoursal Deviation in JK
Rowling’s Narrative A Corpus Linguistics Analysis of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Doctoral dissertation, University of Kasdi Merbah
Ouargla).
5.
Tanto, T. (2015). Language Play as JK Rowling’s Style of Writing in Harry Potter and
the Philosopher’s Stone. Penyunting, 2015, 472-477.
6.
Ong, C. A., & Dipolog-Ubanan, G. F. (2021). Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone:
A Systemic Functional Analysis. American Communication Journal, 23(2).
7.
Bidasiuk, N., Yakymchuk, Y., Kharzhevska, O., Oleksandrenko, K., & Rudoman, O.
(2023). Analysis of Reporting Verbs in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling:
Syntactic and Semantic Approach. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 13(8), 2048-2058.
8.
Fayziyev Bakhodir Bakhshullayevich. (2024). SEMANTIC AND STYLISTIC
FEATURES OF NEOLOGISMS IN J. ROWLING’S NOVELS “HARRY POTTER”. Ethiopian
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 11(06), 341–346. Retrieved from
https://www.eijmr.org/index.php/eijmr/article/view/1789
9.
Fayziyev Bakhodir, . (2023). MYTHS OF THE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD IN
CHILDREN’S READING. International Journal Of Literature And Languages, 3(06), 56–61.
https://doi.org/10.37547/ijll/Volume03Issue06-10
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