Discussion: Sorting Hat, Founders, and the Hogwarts Houses

[fourfuries at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 26260

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Genevieve Pratt" <jheen at m...> wrote:
 
> The Sorting Hat [snip} was a holding place for Godric's sword. 

I don't think so.  I think the sword was seen on a shelf the first 
time Harry went into Dumbledore's office in CS (same time he first 
saw Fawkes).  I think the Hat allowed Harry to conjure the Sword in a 
moment of need, even figuring out for Harry what kind of help would 
be useful.

> Discussion Questions:
> 
> 1)	The classic question: Slytherin House: evil or just bad 
> press? 
 
  Slytherin is not evil.  Slytherin house members are ambitious and 
desire greatness to the point of being prideful and even vain.  
According to Church canon this kind of vanity is a deadly sin, not a 
fatal flaw.  Vanity/Pride is not irreversible or unrecoverable.  Thus 
the lively discussions about the possibility of Draco's redemption, 
or the fact of Snape's redemption.  This is also why Harry "would 
have done well in SLytherin", because one of Harry's personal 
motivations is to prove himself, a grand ambition that might easily 
have been fueled by close association with other greatness seekers.

> 3)	How does the Sorting Hat sort? For example, what sort of 
process does it use that ends up with Hermione in Gryffindor?

  I think the Hat works like the Mirror, Mirror On The Wall, showing 
us what we want most, and all.  If we value loyalty, trustworthiness 
and hard work, we will go to Hufflepuff.  If we want recognition for 
guts, we go to Gryffindor.  If we trust our on wits, Ravenclaw.  If 
we are driven by a need for power, Slytherin.  In each case, the Hat 
is only looking at what the wearer values most, and then placing each 
person in the House where they will be most comfortable.


> 4)	JKR has said there is more to the Sorting Hat than is 
> apparent.  What sort of things do you think we'll see the Hat 
> involved with?

> 5)	How important do you think is the fact that the Sorting Hat 
used to be Godric Gryffindor's?

I sincerely hope that the Hat will have at least one more 
conversation with Harry.  It is a repository of wisdom, but is not 
really judgemental. I think it's being Gryffindor's will make it a 
very important tool in the future for Harry to find what he is 
looking for, especially if something happens to Dumbledore.