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1. Do you think the Hogwarts Sorting System is fair? Should it be replaced?
The House system at Hogwarts has always reminded me of college fraternities and sororities. The Sorting Hat is basically the initiation process, except its for all houses. Each House lives in its own set of dormitories, or rather own “house” like a fraternity/sorority. There are also codes associated with each House, such as the password system to get into Gryffindor Tower. And of course there’s a rivalry among all the Houses, just like with college. As for whether the Sorting System is fair or not, that’s hard to say. As you mentioned before, the biggest negative is how it labels students by stereotypes, and leads to tension between Houses.
2. Is the Hat ever wrong?
It’s hard to say for sure. For one, I always did find it weird that Hermione Granger, the most intelligent and bookish student there is at Hogwarts, ended up in Gryffindor instead of Ravenclaw. Neville Longbottom also seemed like he would have been a natural fit for Hufflepuff, but he ended up in Gryffindor. However, later events in the series gave us a better idea why some people truly belonged in each house. It’s like the Sorting Hat is effected by fate.
3. Is Harry’s fear of Slytherin justified?
From Harry’s point of view, yes. As previously stated, Voldemort himself was in Slytherin house, and Draco ended up being sorted into it. Clearly he didn’t want to belong to the same house of two people he despised.
4. Congrats! You are now the Sorting Hat. Pick ONE character from OUAT and place them into a Hogwarts house, justifying your reasons and weighing if it’s a true fit.
Rumple would have been placed in Slytherin, no question. He’s the Dark One, cunning, resourceful, and ambitious. He certainly wouldn’t have been placed in Gryffindor, based on his cowardice.
5. As a very minor question, why on earth did the Hat take so long with Seamus Finnegan?
Part of it could have had something to do with him being a Half-Blood. His dad is a muggle, while his mom is a witch. Harry was also a Half-Blood, which also could have complicated the Sorting Hat’s decision making.
[adrotate group="5"]It’s hard to say for sure. For one, I always did find it weird that Hermione Granger, the most intelligent and bookish student there is at Hogwarts, ended up in Gryffindor instead of Ravenclaw. Neville Longbottom also seemed like he would have been a natural fit for Hufflepuff, but he ended up in Gryffindor. However, later events in the series gave us a better idea why some people truly belonged in each house. It’s like the Sorting Hat is effected by fate.
Yeah Hermione is the “wait wut?” She’s absolutely brave; there’s no question of that. But does the Sorting Hat pick and chose which traits it thinks you have more of?
From Harry’s point of view, yes. As previously stated, Voldemort himself was in Slytherin house, and Draco ended up being sorted into it. Clearly he didn’t want to belong to the same house of two people he despised.
And this is essentially what Slurpeez and I were debating. I’m 100% fine with Harry not wanting to be in the same house as the guy who killed his parents, or the young boy who was cruel and mean to Harry’s first two friends. It does not a pleasant picture make for your future years at Hogwarts.
My issue lies in the fact that Harry (and to be fair to Harry, pretty much everyone–up to, and including the fandom) perceives Slytherin as all the same. Voldemort and Draco represent the whole instead of a select few. and consider this, had Voldemort never gone to Hogwarts and gained his first followers–from Slytherin–and then more after he left–also largely from Slytherin–would everyone still consider Slytherin to be the “evil” house? Or this is a new development in light of recent history?
And for a series that is so steeped in the ideas of prejudice and bigotry, I think people in universe and people out of universe are guilty are some negative thoughts towards the Slytherins that it doesn’t really deservs. It’s the whole, “not all Germans are Nazi’s” thing. There’s an interview with JKR that I’ll have to try and find where someone asked her why Slytherin house wasn’t ever banned or removed from Hogwarts, and her answer was essentially what I just said: it’s not an evil house, but people’s perception of it is.
Part of it could have had something to do with him being a Half-Blood. His dad is a muggle, while his mom is a witch. Harry was also a Half-Blood, which also could have complicated the Sorting Hat’s decision making.
That’s a pretty interesting idea. I was just really struck by the length of time it took for Seamus; it could just be JKR showing that the Hat really does try to weigh everything carefully but I wanted to hear other options.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"Harry Potter, under no circumstances, and in no uncertain terms, wants to be in Slytherin House. Apparently this goes against what the Hat wants, because Harry could be great in that house. But by sheer force of will and conviction, Harry pushes the Hat into putting him in Gryffindor, a house that Harry has heard nothing bad about and the house that his first friend, Ron, is hoping to get in to.
I have to point out that at no point does Harry ask to be put into Gryffindor. The only thing he says is “Not Slytherin! Not Slytherin”. The hat didn’t bring up Slytherin at that point, either.
“Hmm,” said a small voice in his ear. “Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. There’s talent , oh, my goodness, yes–and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that’s interesting…. So where shall I put you?”
–SS, p. 121
It seems the hat is listing qualities of most of the houses, there, not singling out just one. It’s only after Harry mentions the Slytherin house that the hat plays a bit of Devil’s Advocate with him. Harry doesn’t say to the hat he wants in Gryffindor and it’s the hat who brings it up by shouting out it’s decision in the end.
Questions
1. Do I think the Hogwarts Sorting System if fair? Not really. I admit that the house system was probably my biggest complaint about the series. The first time I read this book I got an odd feeling. I know the reasoning for the sorting, but it never did sit right with me. It reminded of breeding gang-like culture or cult-like behavior.
“The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.”
–SS, p. 114
It just seems so isolating and like a giant Petri dish for discontent and discrimination. My hope for the future would be that the school would foster more inter-house relations and conviviality. I’m reminded of the end of Dealthy Hallows:
McGonagall had replaced the House tables, but nobody was sitting according to House anymore: All were jumbled together, teachers and pupils, ghosts and parents, centaurs and house-elves, …
–DH, p. 645
I like to imagine that the next generation intermingle more. Branch out and make friends with others in various houses.
2. It’s hard to say if the Hat is ever wrong. As has been mentioned, we are a complex conglomeration of attributes. Any decisions the hat makes can be both criticized and defended. One example is Percy Weasley. (Some of you know of my soft spot for Percy…don’t judge me.) I see all the time on tumblr that posters are complaining he should never have been in Gryffindor. On the surface and throughout the series he has all the characteristics of a Slytherin. Actually, more so than Harry ever did. But he is also brave in his own way which comes to light in the final book. I’m reminded of the quote at the end of this book where Neville is awarded house points for his actions against his friends.
“There are all kinds of courage, said Dumbledore, smiling. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”
–SS, p. 306
This, to me, applies to Percy, too. He is ambitious, but he had a set of beliefs that he stood up for despite the ridicule he got from his family. It takes a bit of guts to go against what your family supports, whether they’re right or wrong isn’t the issue. And yes, he put his faith in a system that eventually failed him, but he also had the courage to admit his utter wrongness eat a giant helping of humble pie. It’s hard to admit you’re wrong when you’ve been so staunch in your beliefs. I think his final actions showed he was every bit as much a Gryffindor as any other member of his family.
So the answer to whether the hat is ever wrong, in my opinion, can never truly be answered.
3. Is Harry’s fear of Slytherin justified? Yes, because those are his emotions and feelings. He’s feeling them, not anyone else. And if he’s not comfortable with the situation, then someone tell him differently isn’t going to change anything. Let’s take a personal example. I’ve terrified of flying and yet I have a cousin who flies airplanes and know numerous people who love to fly. No matter what they tell me, or how many statistics they cite, it isn’t going to change my fear or my feelings on the subject. It’s my fear, I’m justified in feeling it. So if Harry is adamant to not be placed in Slytherin, for whatever reason, then that’s his decision.
4. Ooh, a Once character at Hogwarts. Everyone knows I love Belle and Rumple, but I’m not going to tackle either of them. I’m picking Charming and probably going against the grain of where most people would place him (goes back to any house can be justified for placement.) For our David Nolan cum Prince Charming I would place him in… HUFFLEPUFF. Yes, he is brave and wields a mean sword and the obvious choice would be Gryffindor, but I see him as a Hufflepuff.
The Sorting Hat sings:
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unfraid of toil;–SS, p. 116
Who is more loyal than the man who constantly blurts out “I will always find you!” Plus, he’s given the villains so many freaking second chances. To me he embodies the spirit of a Hufflepuff.
5. Seamus Finnegan taking so long to sort was a bit surprising to me. I never gave it a second glance the first time I read the series but this time around it stuck out. I was actually pleasantly surprised someone else took note of it, too. It could be the half-blood status, but I don’t know. Wouldn’t Muggle-borns be even more difficult to sort then? It makes me wonder if J. K. Rowling had more in store for Seamus in future installments but was later scrapped.
Keeper of Rumplestiltskin's and Neal's spears and war paint and crystal ball.
I have to point out that at no point does Harry ask to be put into Gryffindor. The only thing he says is “Not Slytherin! Not Slytherin”. The hat didn’t bring up Slytherin at that point, either.
Excellent point. Makes me wonder where the Hat wanted to put him originally. Harry sort of jumped the gun; he’s responding to something that hasn’t even been uttered.
It seems the hat is listing qualities of most of the houses, there, not singling out just one. It’s only after Harry mentions the Slytherin house that the hat plays a bit of Devil’s Advocate with him.
Yes, that’s true but that’s sort of one of my larger and more problematic points. All of those qualities–courage, smarts, ambition–exist in all the house. It’s not like the Hufflepuffs sit on their bums and don’t want to win the House Cup. But each of those items have been relegated to one specific house. You see courage and it’s Gryffindor; smarts is Ravenclaw; and Ambition is Slytherin. People, as a whole, tend to associate one characteristic to both the house and the people who reside in it. It’s what fosters bigotry and misconception because those traits are good but they can also be bad.
Courage to the extreme is recklessness
Smart to the extreme is arrogance.
Ambition to the extreme is ruthlessness.
3. Is Harry’s fear of Slytherin justified? Yes, because those are his emotions and feelings. He’s feeling them, not anyone else. And if he’s not comfortable with the situation, then someone tell him differently isn’t going to change anything. Let’s take a personal example. I’ve terrified of flying and yet I have a cousin who flies airplanes and know numerous people who love to fly. No matter what they tell me, or how many statistics they cite, it isn’t going to change my fear or my feelings on the subject. It’s my fear, I’m justified in feeling it. So if Harry is adamant to not be placed in Slytherin, for whatever reason, then that’s his decision.
This is a very good point so thank you for bringing it up. You’re right that people’s feelings are justified because they are THEIR feelings and I’m not trying to belittle Harry or dismiss his feelings. But, to play Devil’s Advocate here, at what point do we stop accepting people’s fears as justified because “subjective” and try to help them overcome. You’re flying example is a good one but it’s also not something that affects those around you. Voldemort, we will learn, has a fear of impure blood and a taint in the Wizarding world. Are his fears justified because “subjective?” Is it okay that he feel this way and acts on that fear because they are his feelings and he’s feeling them? Or do we label his (and his ilk) differently because he is acting on those fears? Going back to Harry, while he certainly doesn’t act on those fears in the same way that Voldemort does, Harry does act against the Slytherins, and Draco specifically, throughout the series. He is constantly suspicious and mistrustful of Draco, Snape, and anyone who belongs to Slytherin, simply because Slytherin.
this will become important when we get to book 2 and Harry’s fear of Slytherins become even more personal with his Parlsetongue
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"So, I never answered one of my own questions which was the OUAT character in a Hogwarts house. I was going to tackle Emma.
Emma Swan is a lot like Harry. No, rephrase: they are almost the same person–if by person you mean universal archetype. (and I often do mean that) They are the hero(ine) which means that they are a complicated ball of trauma, emotions, wants/desires, and quirks and abilities. It’s impossible to pin them down because they are also the “everyman” in that they are the lens into the magical world for the reader.
Emma would work well in Gryffindor. She’s obviously brave and has courage. She’s daring and bold and unafraid to fight for her (and everyone elses’) happy endings.
Emma would work well in Hufflepuff. She’s very loyal–even to people who don’t deserve it all the time. Take a look at her dedication to Regina and securing Regina’s HEA simply because of how far the Evil Queen has come. Emma’s loyal to her Storybrooke residents and doubly so to her family. When Rumple lay dying, Emma said, “You’re family now. I’ll save you.” even though her relationship with the Imp was beyond complicated.
Emma would work well in Ravenclaw. She’s got street smarts. She’s very capable of landing on her feet and being able to survive by her wits. Even when she’s thrown into an impossible situation, she can figure a way out using her mind instead of pure brawn. There are different kinds of smarts; she might not be book smart (like Belle) but she knows people and how they work. She understands human nature and that takes a certain level of intelligence.
Emma would work well in Slytherin. She’s ambitious and sometimes ruthless. When she sees something she wants, Emma goes after it. In season one when she wanted Henry, she didn’t have a plan but she was determined to get her son away from Regina. She even “stole” Henry in the middle of the night in order to achieve her ends. Emma is often the leader, not only because she’s so brave, but because she simply doesn’t trust others to get the job done. She knows she’s the best for the job, which is a Slytherins arrogance.
My point in asking this question was to demonstrate that the system is not really fair because it doesn’t really take in the complexities of human nature and the human psyche. We are not stagnant beings, defined by one particular trait. Emma (and Harry) could go anywhere and be successful because the house traits are really universal and translate across the board.
However, I asked a specific question, so I’ll give a specific answer. If I had to place Emma Swan in one house at Hogwarts it would probably be…….HUFFLEPUFF. I know. *gasp*
But, like Jo with Charming, I think Emma’s defining characteristic (the one I would associate with her more than any other) is loyalty. She would…get sucked up by a vortex of evil if it was required to protect those she loves. Emma’s brave but she’s also been known to run away from her problems (of the mundane variety) instead of facing them. But Emma remains very loyal to her family, her friends, her town, her identity as the Savior, and the mission.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"1. Do you think the Hogwarts Sorting System is fair? Should it be replaced?
Unpopular opinion: I think it is fair, especially if one takes into account that the sorting hat doesn’t only consider one personality trait when making a decision. As @Josophine pointed out, the hat takes into account Harry’s many exemplary traits, including his own stated preference not to be in Slytherin. I think it probably does the same for all of the students, and that it takes into account their wishes. I also think Harry isn’t unique in his ability to guide the hat to its decision. In the case of Ron and Draco, they both really wanted to be in Gryffindor and Slytherin, respectively, and that is where they end up. Also, in support of this view that Harry isn’t unique in his ability to influence the sorting hat is the intriguing case of Sirius Black. His entire family were part of Slytherin, and yet Sirius wanted nothing to do with his family’s biases against muggle-born wizards or their condoning of dark magic. Therefore, the hat sorted Sirius Black into Gryffindor. Could Sirius have had the same conversation with the hat that Harry did about not wanting to be in Slytherin? I think so.
Also important to keep in mind is that there actually is a real cultural background from which J.K. Rowling drew her inspiration for Hogwarts’ houses; obviously, magic sorting hats aren’t real, but the rivalry, the competition and the house teams really do exist in many British boarding schools. For example, my husband went to a British boarding school, and he confirmed that he himself belonged to a house. He said there were 4 different houses that competed with each other for house points each year. The competition was based on a system of merit points which students earned based on academic and athletic achievements. Moreover, demerits could be given for poor behavior. The advantage of the team system is that students were more inspired to become high achievers and not to misbehave, for fear of letting down their fellow house members. He said there wasn’t much of a downside since everyone knew everyone else, because the student body was small to begin with and everyone had classes together.
In a larger school, like I think Hogwarts is, having blocks of classes and teams can bring comfort to students. Had it not been for those teams, Harry might’ve felt lost in a sea of people. I think people have deep desires to feel they belong, which is why they tend to join clubs, sports teams, and the like. While Hogwarts does have different houses pair up (e.g. first-year Gryffindor and Slytherin students have potions class together) it would be better to have more Hogwarts-wide events. Perhaps having more student-run clubs with students from many different houses would be one way of building more inter-house friendships. We know Dumbledore’s Army lures many students from different houses together: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. Notice, that Slytherin doesn’t produce students who want to openly defy Voldemort — with the exception of Severus Snape (but he’s not a student, but a professor) and possibly Narcissa Malfoy, Draco’s mom.
Where I would consider the sorting system to be unfair is if the hat’s decision is final or not. What I want to know is whether once a member of a house, then always a member. Do students have the ability to change houses after the first year to see if they might be a better fit elsewhere? Has any wizard or witch ever transferred from say Hufflepuff to Ravenclaw?
2. Is the Hat ever wrong?
That sort of goes along with my question stated above. I do wonder if the hat can sometimes make mistakes like in the case of Wormtail, who wasn’t brave at all yet was in Gryffindor. So why was he even sorted into that house? Interesting to note is the fact that Peter Pettigrew was a Hatstall — it took the sorting hat more than 5 minutes to sort Peter into Gryffindor House! Could Peter have been pleading to be placed into Gryffindor becase he hero worshiped Harry’s dad and Sirius Black? I propose that Peter was sorted into Gryffindor per Peter’s request, probably against the advice of the sorting hat. Peter was the one character in canon to go bad from that particular house, so I know that dark wizards can come from outside of Slytherin, but he was especially cowardly–even Voldemort said Peter only became a Death Eater out of cowardice.
On the chance it ever could be wrong, then what? What if Harry had been sorted into Slytherin against his will and ended up miserable there? Could he have gone to Dumbledore in protest? Are the students stuck there, or can they transfer out to another house? What if a student is a late bloomer or gets picked on in one house. Is there a chance to switch houses per a student or parental request?
3. Is Harry’s fear of Slytherin justified?
Yes, as discussed before at length. Based on what Harry knows so far, it is. And he had good reason to be very wary! He is already linked to Voldemort in ways he doesn’t yet understand. After what Mr. Ollivander said about the wand choosing he wizard, he’s wanting to distance himself from any further association with You-Know-Who. Yet the twin of Voldemort’s wand chose Harry. That would be enough to trouble any young boy. Though he doesn’t yet understand why that happened, he senses he wants noting to do with the type of “terrible greatness” that killed his parents and branded him with a lightning bolt. He would avoid being put into Slytherin, where that sort of magic is more than just tolerated by many of that house’s alumni. Also, Harry would’ve been surrounded by enemies (aka children of Death Eaters) if he’d been sorted into that house. If Harry had been sorted there and openly defied Voldemort in support of Dumbledore the later books, I doubt his fellow Slytherins would’ve responded positively to Harry.
5. As a very minor question, why on earth did the Hat take so long with Seamus Finnegan?
Like I wrote before, I think the hat takes into account the many complex wishes, desires and different personality traits of the students and then comes up with the best fit. so perhaps Seamus took longer because he had “divergent” personality traits.
Part of it could have had something to do with him being a Half-Blood. His dad is a muggle, while his mom is a witch. Harry was also a Half-Blood, which also could have complicated the Sorting Hat’s decision making.
Just to clarify, I don’t think Harry counts as half-blooded, seeing how his mom was a witch and his dad a wizard. To count as half-blooded, one parent must be fully muggle and the other fully magical. Technically, Lily was born of two muggle parents, but she herself was magical. Her son Harry, being the offspring of two magical parents, would count as “pure-blooded” (not that I actually care for such distinctions). Right?
"That’s how you know you’ve really got a home. When you leave it, there’s this feeling that you can’t shake. You just miss it." Neal Cassidy
Just to clarify, I don’t think Harry counts as half-blooded, seeing how his mom was a witch and his dad a wizard. To count as half-blooded, one parent must be fully muggle and the other fully magical. Technically, Lily was born of two muggle parents, but she herself was magical. Her son Harry, being the offspring of two magical parents, would count as “pure-blooded” (not that I actually care for such distinctions). Right?
That’s tricky? Because Voldemort chose Harry over Neville because he saw Harry as being like him–the half and half
“He chose the boy he thought most likely to be a danger to him,” said Dumbledore. “And notice this, Harry. He chose, not the pureblood (which, according to his creed, is the only kind of wizard worth being or knowing), but the half-blood, like himself. He saw himself in you before he had ever seen you.”
(OotP)
It’s one of those things that I have to think through but that’s the in universe explanation.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"For example, my husband went to a British boarding school, and he confirmed that he himself belonged to a house. He said there were 4 different houses that competed with each other for house points each year. The competition was based on a system of merit points which students earned based on academic and athletic achievements. Moreover, demerits could be given for poor behavior
Oh sure, JKR is drawing from her own cultural experiences, to be sure, and it’s not just the British school system. Many America boarding schools (and even some public ones) have this idea of houses/factions/groups that you belong to. That’s fine. Like I said in my analysis, the system was not intended to foster hostility and I totally admitted that there are perks to having houses like this. Playful competition leads to better students and all that, the sense of belonging is another positive (it’s also why so many men and women belong to the Greek system).
But here’s my question: was your husband placed into his “house” based on a set of mostly ill-defined characteristics at a young age? Magic hat aside (unless you’re husband has a magic hat in which case…we need to talk….) was he judged to meet certain criteria and then placed accordingly? Was it arbitrary? Did he get to pick?
I don’t know what could replace the Hat because it is so charming and a rather unique idea for this world. I don’t think the House system should be done away with but it’s that rather icky feeling that in order to belong you have to meet certain criteria. During “rush” (Greek college system for choosing your frat or sorority) you’re not supposed to judge people on the way they look, but the way they carry and conduct themselves. But that’s not how in works, and everyone knows it, because we all know that certain houses are looking for girls who look a certain way. What if they’re not actually a good fit for that house but they’re being judged based on one characteristic alone? Now in the Greek system you do not have to pledge if you don’t want to, but Harry doesn’t really get that choice. Once that Hat shouts Gryffindor, he’s there for life, seemingly (never heard of anyone transferring). What if the Hat had decided “screw you Harry Potter!” and shouted Slytherin instead?
*shrug* I don’t know. We’re going to go in circles on this most likely, which is fine…I like the conversation. I just think there has to be a better way that doesn’t rob 90% of the kids from making an active choice in where they want to spend the next 7 years.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"But here is my my question: was your husband placed into his “house” based on a set of mostly ill-defined characteristics at a young age? Magic hat aside (unless you’re husband has a magic hat in which case…we need to talk….) was he judged to meet certain criteria and then placed accordingly? Was it arbitrary? Did he get to pick?
No, he didn’t get to pick. He said he was randomly assigned to a house. Unfortunately, there was no magic sorting hat involved. But, that actually helps to illustrate my point. Which is better — to be sorted into a house at random or to be placed into a house based upon one’s personality traits, preferences, and talents? I would actually argue the latter is preferable. As has been previously written, the magic hat does take into account the wishes of the students: Harry, Ron, and Draco all end up exactly where they want to be. Important to note is that the sorting hat doesn’t put Harry in Slytherine, where he doesn’t want to be. That in and if itself shows just how fair the sorting system actually is. As I argued before, I don’t think Harry is unique in this regard. I think many students’ wishes, different talents, and personality traits get taken into consideration by an advanced, complicated magical algorithm before the hat makes the best possible decision based on many different, complex variables. I think the house chosen is the best possible fit based upon the best possible information available at that time.
Now, I fully realize children probably change the most from the age of eleven to the age of 18. I myself did, but even though my new experiences helped add to my growing perspective as I matured, I also feel like the core of me remained the same. As Harry learns, who we are is shaped not just by our environment or parents’ values, but also how we choose to act when no one else is watching. Our preferences may vary over time, but as has been pointed out, our actions speak volumes about how we live our lives and how we treat others. Yes, some people are more academically gifted than others; yes, some people excel at sports. Perhaps those high-achieving students might be better grouped together in the advanced classes, because they thrive in that sort of environment like in Ravenclaw for example. Not everyone can thrive in an academically rigorous classroom, just as not everyone can excel at sports or the arts. But what I think J.K. Rowling is getting at with her sorting hat isn’t so much that some people are better than others or that one’s success depends only into what group one belongs to or which family one comes from.
That is why House Slytherin, which was founded by someone who didn’t want to admit muggle-born wizards to Hogwarts, gets it wrong. That is not to say that no good wizards come from that house, but is it any wonder that so many dark wizards come from that house when it tends to attract wizards like Draco who bully and belittle anyone who is not just like him? That is why I propose that the hat really chose to put Harry into Gryffindor. It wasn’t just because Harry had a bias against Draco Malfoy or because Harry is exceptionally brave, but because of the sort of values Harry holds dear and the kindness and respect he had for underdogs like himself. Harry doesn’t care a wit that Hagrid was expelled from Hogwarts, that Ron is poor or that Hermione’s parents are muggles. Harry’s heart balks at the mistreatment of others because he himself was mistreated entire life. Harry never loses his spirit or compromises his values of fairness and kindness towards people who treat others on decency and respect. Harry may not get on well with Draco, but then again, Draco is a bully who bullies others just like Dudley did to Harry. That isn’t to say Harry is perfect, but he does stick up for people like Neville Longbottom, who is an easy target for people like Draco.
I do agree with the perspective that at the end if the day, it doesn’t ultimately matter which house one belongs to as much as how one treats others and how one lives in harmony in the world. While our perspectives may change over time, it’s our actions and treatment of others that reveal what kind of people we are. Houses Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor did have some bad eggs (e.g Professor Quirell is from Ravenclaw) but isn’t it curious that they are so far and few between? Ask why is it that so many more dark wizards were from Slytherin? Could it be because of the values the founder of that house espoused? No wonder Voldemort himself attracted so many likeminded wizards from House Slytherin than from any other house!
Moreover, I wouldn’t be surprised if the hat has access to some deep reaches of students’ minds. Maybe the hat can read all of the minds, both hidden and not hidden. If so, maybe the hat had omniscient like magical powers that can read the kind of values one holds dear at one’s core.
Now in the Greek system you do not have to pledge if you don’t want to, but Harry doesn’t really get that choice. Once that Hat shouts Gryffindor, he’s there for life… What if the Hat had decided “screw you Harry Potter! I’ll put you in Slytherin instead?”
I would say that while the hat is tempted to put Harry in Slytherine it doesn’t. Isn’t that the very definition of fairness? Harry got to have his say! Had Harry been put into Slytherin against his will, I’d better understand this point, but he wasn’t, so it’s a bit of a moot point to say “but what if he had been?” The hat probably only puts students where it knows they’ll be happiest. My feeling is that the students who get put in Slytherine are the ones who really want to be there, like Draco Malfoy. Was there ever a case of a student who actually hates his or her house and wanted a transfer? While I don’t know the answer to that question, it could be that all students are happy where they are because that is where they’re meant to be?
One last point before I end this long post. The story called “Divergent” was mentioned, and while I haven’t read it, my friend has. She said that there is a clear advantage of the Hogwarts sorting hat over the Divergent system; namely, in “Divergent” the characters have to sever all ties with the faction they come from if they choose to change to a new faction. At Hogwarts, students are free to form inter-house friendships, as many students do in the later novels.
"That’s how you know you’ve really got a home. When you leave it, there’s this feeling that you can’t shake. You just miss it." Neal Cassidy
I have to agree with Slurpeez, regarding the sorting and placement of students. And I will say that I was never convinced that the hat was going to put Harry in Slytherin to begin with. Like I posted before, it’s only after Harry brings it up that the hat talks about it. We have no idea what house the hat leaned toward. I will say that in my opinion the hat ruled out putting him Slytherin not necessarily because Harry begged not to be there, but because the very reasons behind Harry’s instance is the reason he would not have been a fit for Slytherin at all. (If that makes any kind of sense). Say for example that Harry is placed in Slytherin, Slytherin helps you succeed, but Harry’s uncomfortableness in that house leads him to not succeed, thus negating the help that house was meant to provide in the first place. Sort of a Catch-22. It all becomes cyclical. No matter what the houses’s goals and ideals are, he would never live up to those ideals where he is not nurtured, respected or comfortable. Therefore, it’s not an acceptable placement. That doesn’t negate the fact that the house is a perfect fit for other students.
This really could go on forever. Thankfully, I should be posting my analysis tomorrow. 😉
Keeper of Rumplestiltskin's and Neal's spears and war paint and crystal ball.
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