[HPforGrownups] Ways of teaching and house characteristics (WAS: Teaching Potions)

[Susanna]

No: HPFGUIDX 33028


 
  Elizabeth Dalton <Elizabeth.Dalton at EAST.SUN.COM> wrote: 

>I still think his attitude is inexcusable for a teacher, but given the 
>subject and the apparent lack of relevance for most wizards and 
>witches, I'll give up on the point about whether he's taught anyone.

I think I already wrote something like this in a different context, but it might be worth repeating ;) :

The eternal problem is that everything we see is refracted by Harry's perception of things. Whom of the teachers have we witnessed teaching classes so far?

- McGonagall, ex-Gryffindor (if the assumption that Heads of House have to be ex-members of their respective houses is right)....Transfiguration for Gryffindors only

-Flitwick, ex-Ravenclaw (see above)....Charms for Gryffindors only

-Sprout, ex- Hufflepuff (see above)....Herbology for Gryffs and Huffles

-Lupin, ex- Gryffindor (probably)....DADA for Gryffs only

-Trelawney, difficult to say, I personally would guess Slytherin....Divination for Gryffs only

-Quirrell, same as Trelawney IMHO....DADA for Gryffs only

-Lockhart, likewise (still IMHO)....DADA for Gryffs only

-Fake!Moody, everything but Hufflepuff....DADA for gryffs only

- AAAAAND Snape, ex-Slytherin....Potions for Gryffs and Slytherins

At least from canon evidence, it seems that the only "mixed" subjects are Herbology and Potions. IIRC, Sprout never shows any sign of favouring her own house, but then that would be a very un-Hufflepuff-ish trait, loyalty to your own house doesn't necessarily mean that you have to disparage the others. Which leads me to House characteristics: I don't remember that this has already been discussed, but Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff don't seem conflict-prone houses. Everybody gets along just fine with Hufflepuff, Slytherins despise them for their lack of raffinesse and ambition, but are never in open opposition to them. And Ravenclaw appears too withdrawn into their intellectual world to be in conflict with anybody. The ones who always are in search for conflicts are Gryffindors and Slytherins- maybe that can be explained by history, but it's an undeniable fact. (Just think of the Huffs' reaction to Harry in CoS- they are farid, but they never attack him openly, in spite of Justin having been petrified) 

Thus, it doesn't lack a certain logic that overreactions and abuse by teachers mostly show where Gryffindor and Slytherin are concerned: Just remember McGonagall dragging Draco along the corridor by the ear- that's not overly correct behaviour, is it?

What I wanted to say is this: We completely lack testimony about other mixed classes, especially Gryff/Slyth, being taught by ex-Gryff or ex-Slyth teachers, as well as e.g. accounts about the Slytherins' Transfiguration lessons which I got a distinct feeling aren't a piece of cake. Of course, this serves the purpose of making Snape appear even more unlikeable, but as Advocatus Severi I have to underline that maybe McGonagall is equally unjust with the Slytherins.

Another possibility is that perhaps all teachers' pedagogical methods *are* carefully chosen according to the characteristics of the house they find themselves confronted with. Praise a Gryiffindor too much and he will become insufferably arrogant (point in case: Sirius- ducks tomato avalanche). Daunt a Slytherin too much and he will probably find illicit ways of getting what he thinks he deserves. In fact, we rarely witness McGonagall overly emphasizing her Gryffindors' achievements in Transfiguration: Not even Hermione gets what I'd call "praise", her pincushion is qualified as merely "satisfactory" (GoF).

So, I suppose we are extremely biased as far as teaching methods are concerned, I wish we knew more.

Susanna/pigwidgeon37


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