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

[Jim Ferer <jferer@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 48917

PennyR:"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-" 

Excellent point, and that was said by the narrator, imo, not Harry,
who didn't know about dark wizards from any house at that moment. (He
hadn't been in the wizard world a full day at that time.)

PennyR:"I think Ron and Hagrid's statements are probably
eneralizations. Perhaps it is the quality of ambition that give.s them
that drive to succeed, even if it is by dark means.  I would assume
however, that not all Slytherins would follow that road."

Precisely.  I particularly agree with your last sentence.  There's
plenty of room for ambition and even ruthlessness while staying on the
right side of the law.  Look at some of the American executives who
always seem to dance on the edge of the legal and ethical knife -
sometimes falling off.  Why would the wizard world be different?

PennyR:"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."

You and I see it just the same way. Snape is a perfect example.

Jim Ferer