Themes in Harry Potter

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JK ROWLING set the parameters of magic in her world to be what they are in the Potterverse. These do not correspond by necessity to those of the Tolkienverse.

The nature of magic in the Potterverse is very like that of technology in our culture and its scientism. In fact, the proper use of and identifying the abuses of magic correspond very closely to the proper use of and abuses of technology in our society. The theme of social commentary is NOT limited to racism and classism or sexism in HP.

The Philosopher's Stone is the product of alchemical restructuring of the soul into the Edenic state in which the created intended relations of humanity to the Creation, self, and others, and God, is restored. Thus the Philosopher's Stone was a rare item produced by few individuals. Harry, you will note, is the master of the Philosopher's Stone in a unique mode. See Dumbledore's commentary in THE HALFBLOOD PRINCE. Harry, symbolically and alchemically, is the Philosopher's Stone, or becomes the life-giving humanly enfleshed stone by his surrender to death and triumph over death and evil. See what happens at the battle of Hogwarts.

Harry is Everyman ... the Christian striving to become as the Master (who said that to follow Him was to "take up your cross" and thereby indicated the path He and all his disciples would trod) and to experience passion, death, and Resurrection into the very Life of God - Love (the deepest magic -multiple citations through the HP series).