[HPforGrownups] Why Hermione isn't in Ravenclaw

[Pam Hugonnet]

No: HPFGUIDX 6201



Susan McGee wrote:
(some text portions have been snipped)

> We all have wondered why Hermione isn't in Ravenclaw because of her
> focus on scholarship and knowledge (You're the cleverest witch of
> your age I've ever met..said Lupin).
>
> I think we have all assumed that the sorting hat placed students into
> houses based on their abilities. I would suggest that it places the
> students in part based on their abilities, in part based on their
> characters, but that the final decision is based on what they truly
> want. We have been confused because Hermione -- obviously an
> outstanding student who is bright, is focused and works hard -- is
> not in Ravenclaw. Well, deep down, Hermione values being brave,
> daring and chivalrous over being smart -- hence she is in Gryffindor.
>
> So, my thought is that it's where the students really want to be that
> ultimately determines their house placement.
>
> What do others think?
>

I think this is a brilliant post.  I think you've hit the crux of the
matter.  When I read Dumbledore speech about choices, I think he also means
the kind of choice that go into make up our identity, our sense of self.  So
that it's not just where the students want to go, but what kind of person
they see themselves as being--how they choose to be.  For Harry, the very
idea of being in Slytherin was a "not me" experience; it did not fit with
his self-image, with what he values in himself as a person.   As well as for
Cedric, he's clearly handsome, smart and very brave--and has qualities which
would make him fit well in Gryffindor.  But what Cedric values in himself is
his sense of fairplay (think of that marvelous bit in PoA when he tries to
have the result of the Quidditch match voided because of Harry's experience
with the Dementors) and hence he belongs in Hufflepuff, because that's who
he is fundamentally.


milz wrote:

> I have the tendency to think that Hermione's "smarts" are acquired and
> not inherent. In other words, she isn't "naturally bright". She is
> constantly studying, constantly memorizing. What if Hermione stopped
> studying as hard for once? Will her grades resemble those of the other
> Gryffindors or will they stay constant? Or maybe Hermione studies so
> much because she's a little miffed she wasn't sorted into Ravenclaw
> and is trying to prove the Sorting Hat wrong?
>
> Until we get a glimpse on the study habits of the average Ravenclaw,
> we can't really answer those questions, imo. And since the Gryffindors
> don't seem to have classes with the Ravenclaws, that might be
> impossible.
>

Oh, dear.  I think you sell Hermione short here.  It would take a prodigious
amount of work to exhibit the kind of scholarship that Hermione does without
having some natural smarts.  Besides, that kind of work ethic would put her
in Hufflepuff.  I think Hermione is very bright and that she has a great
love of learning.  But she's not just book smart, she often uses her
knowledge in the service of others, to help them, to right wrongs or fight
injustice.  And these are the aspects that she values in herself and how she
sees herself, so this is why she is in Gryffindor.

Thank you Susan for a thought-provoking post.

drpam