Sorting Hat and Weasleys

[jepetta at hotmail.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 28668

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., annieclaire12 at y... wrote:
> > The sorting hat has fascinated me from the start.   
> > Based on what I've gleaned from these examples, the hat considers 
a 
> > number of factors (aspirations, personal choice, potential for 
> > growth) inherent within each student.  Although the factors are 
> > unique to that individual, as a whole they predispose them to a 
> > particular house.  Neville and Hermione may have different traits 
> and varied priorities, yet in the aggregate they each reflect the 
> > Gryffindor spirit.
> > 
> > So I guess my question is, how much of a factor do you think 
family 
> > history is to the sorting process?
> > 
> > Annie-Claire (whose only other example of a 'legacy' is Flounder 
in 
> > Animal House)

Of all the theories resulting from this thread today, I agree with 
Annie-Claire's the most.  I personally believe that the Sorting Hat 
looks for a person's "philosophy of life" or "way of going about 
things."  Gryffindors are those who put themselves on the line for 
what they believe is right or necessary, Slytherins are those who 
will do *whatever it takes* to accomplish their goals, even if it 
means being cunning and devious, Hufflepuffs believe that hard work 
and loyalty through all circumstances, as a rule, is likely to bring 
about the best results, and Ravenclaws think that the best answer to 
anything is one that comes from logical intellectualization of a 
situation.

No one is going to follow any of these perfectly, but that's why the 
Sorting Hat waffled over Harry....sometimes he *is* willing to be 
devious or sneaky to get what he needs.  (Remember the Polyjuice 
Potion?  Keeping things from Dumbledore?  *Anything* involving the 
Invisibility Cloak??? <g>)

It can explain a lot of weird Hat choices, I think, such as Neville 
in Gryffindor and Hermione *not* in Ravenclaw.  She's very smart, but 
she goes into things with way too much force to be a calculating 
Ravenclaw.  Also, that's why Gryffindor and Slytherin are always the 
two houses very visibly battling everything out.  Those are both 
philosophies of life that involve taking very *active* roles in 
getting what you want.

Back to the Weasleys.....I think that, in general, *stable* parents 
(like the Weasleys) tend to bring up families that share a philosophy 
of life and very similar values.  All of the Weasley children, though 
varying greatly in personality, can agree on some things.  Would all 
of them risk his/her life for another?  I think so.  That's really 
cliched, I know, but I think they all probably share a general 
outlook on how to reach goals and treat people.

That's my two cents on the matter--I actually had this conversation 
last night with my boyfriend--he's on book 3; I have him hooked!! :)

--Jepetta (who wishes she were a Weasley every hour of every 
day......)