All Slytherins bad? (was Re: Simple spell origin, Krum, Slytherins, Prefects)

[pennyspace <penny_rabey@hotmail.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 48916

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Jim Ferer <jferer at y...>" 
<jferer at y...> wrote:
> Anne:"It was Ron who said, "Everyone knows that there wasn't a 
witch or 
> wizard that went bad that wasn't from Slytherin." 
> 
> Hagrid said pretty much the same thing, but I don't think in either
> case that makes it infallible.  Characters, like real people, don't
> say things precisely and aren't necessarily right.  It's only when 
the
> "narrator" says something that we need to take it as read.
> 

me:
The stories are all told from Harry's point of view, and he had this 
thought in CoS:

"Harry well remembered putting it on, exactly one year ago, and 
waiting, petrified, for its decision as it muttered aloud in his 
ear. For a few horrible seconds he feared that the hat was going to 
put him in Slytherin, the house which had turned out more dark 
witches and wizards than any other-" 

(chapter 5 The Whomping Willow pg. 61 aussie edition )

According to Harry, Slytherin has turned out *more* dark wizards, 
than any other, not *all* of them. I think this is a very important 
distinction, and allows that some dark wizards do come out of other 
houses, just not as many as Slytherin. Sirius could indeed be in 
Gryffindor and thought of as a dark wizard.

I think Ron and Hagrid's statements are probably generalizations.  
Perhaps it is the quality of ambition that gives them that drive to 
succeed, even if it is by dark means.  I would assume however, that 
not all Slytherins would follow that road.  I also assume that a 
student in any one of the other houses might also be ambitious, as 
well, as brave, clever, loyal, etc.  Most people have all these 
attributes to varying degrees.  Look at Hermione :)

To have all the dark wizards coming from one house, is, I feel, too 
simplistic for such a complex and rich story.  One of the underlying 
themes of the book is *choice*.  I am sure some Slytherins make the 
right choice.

PennyR