The Lake: Deep psychological waters?

[doffy99]

No: HPFGUIDX 43584

"theatresm2002" wrote:
> I've been wondering why only the First Years have to cross the lake 
> to get to Hogwarts at the beginning of the term, and eventually 
> remembered something that mythologist Joseph Campbell said, 
referring 
> to a mythic character being pulled from the water:
>  
> "... she had moved out of the rational, conscious sphere into the 
> field of compulsions of the unconscious.  That's always what's 
> represented in such adventures under water.  The character has 
> slipped out of the realm of controlled action into that of 
> transpersonal compulsions and events."  (The Power of Myth, chapter 
> 5 -- titled, appropriately, The Hero's Adventure.)
>  
> Now, of course the students aren't actually *in* the water -- with 
> the exception of the Creevey boy who falls in (GoF).  A closer 
> parallel is crossing the Styx, which makes sense given how heavily 
> JKR draws on classical sources...
>  
> But in either case, you're still headed to an "Otherworld" (for 
lack 
> of a better word), some place or thing unknown and potentially 
> dangerous.
>  
> So --assuming you buy into the idea -- why do only the Firsts need 
to 
> do it?  Is it an initiation rite that can only be done once?  I'm 
> guessing that once your unconscious mind has been opened to 
> this "Otherworld," you don't have to undergo the "trial by water" 
bit 
> again.
>  
> Any thoughts?  Sound reasonable, or has Amy been drinking too much 
> espresso again?
>  
> Amy   "theatresm2002"

There is a logistics problem that the lake solves. All first years 
need to be sorted. To give it more pomp and circumstance the school 
decided that the non-first years, should be in the hall and seated 
BEFORE the first years come in. This makes them realize how many 
people are being affected by this decision of what house a person 
goes too. It also gives the house the chance to cheer for their new 
members. If EVERYONE came by lake, then all would arrive at the same 
time. Same if they all came by carriage. This would mean the first 
years would then have to be seperated out in the Great Hall and wait 
while the older students got to their seats. Because crossing the 
lake Takes longer than going by carriage, this time gives the NON 
first years the chance to catch up on the ride and still have time to 
get into the hall and get seated without holding the first years up 
for very long. My opinion is that its all a matter of timing. 
Logistics. Making sure that everyone is in place on time. :)

-Jeff