The Lake: Deep psychological waters?

[bboy_mn]

No: HPFGUIDX 43618

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "theatresm2002" <aashby.aashby at v...> wrote:

Amy   "theatresm2002": 

> 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:
>  
> ....EDITED....
>  
> 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"

bboy_mn addeds:

I think the answer could be a simple as looking at real English
Boarding/Private Schools. They all seem to be very long on tradition,
and seem to have gone through a significant effort to invent
traditions that make their school stand out from the rest. Someone
else commented on the unusual uniform that Dudley wore as a Smelting's
student and wondered if that was an exageration. Another person who
had direct experienece with English schools pointed out that by some
standards, the Smelting's uniforms were relatively tame. Odd clothes,
bright colors, strange rituals, all seem to help define a school, and
give the school and the students a unique identity.

So, to ask, 'why the lake?' regarding Hogwards, is like asking 'why
the stick?' regarding Smeltings. The answer is no more or less than
tradition. Schools invent rituals and traditions that make their
schools unique and in their eyes, special.

There is a lot of potential symbolism to crossing the lake; journey to
a new world, the crossing of the threshold into a new era of your
life,  a symbolic birth, etc... But I think in the end, it is simple
something invented by the school for the sole purpose of creating a
tradition. 

Although, I will agree that it does serve the practical purpose of
sorting out the first years, and allowing the rest of the school to
assemble before the Sorting Ceremony. 

The Sorting Ceremony itself is nothing more than an unnecessary
traditional ritual. The first years could just as well be segregated,
sorted in private the next day, and sent to their respective houses,
thereby saving everyone a lot of time and effort. But it wouldn't be
as much fun, or as symbolic, and wouldn't be as welcoming. As I'm sure
Joseph Campbell would agree, to a cold detached observer these things
would seem to be a waste of time, however, to someone who looks
deeper, symbols, rituals, and traditions have a very powerful effect
on our lives. I doubt that many kids will ever forget their first trip
across the lake and the Sorting Ceremony. These are powerful images
and experiences that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Just some thoughts.

bboy_mn