Family ties vs. Choice

[bugaloo37]

No: HPFGUIDX 44500

There have been some pretty interesting conjectures lately about 
Snape's family tree and whether or not he is in some way related to 
Lily or perhaps, even James Potter.  As I have stated before, IMO, 
JKR is a strong supporter of the importance of choices in our lives.  
I believe that all themes in HP-"blood purity" i.e.,family heritage-
wealth/poverty-boil down to the simple issue of choice.  IMO, there 
are two groups that all HP characters can be placed in:  1) those who 
believe that family heritage-"blood-purity",wealth, status/power are 
important and that individual merit is to be overlooked if the other 
above components are not present. Of course, I believe that Voldemort 
is the leader of this group, with other members including Malfoy, the 
rest of the DEs (whether or not Fudge will be added remains to be 
seen); and 2) those who believe that a person must make up his own 
mind-be his own person, regardless of what family heritage he has. He 
must rely on his own  strength of character and judges others 
according to theirs.  In other words, IMO, iregardless of what family 
heritage Harry has-good or evil-, it is up to him to decide what path 
to choose.  The same can be said of every character in HP including 
Tom Riddle/Voldemort, Draco Malfoy, the Weasleys, and Snape.  Tom 
Riddle became the heir of Slytherin because he chose to be.  The same 
way that Harry chose to be in Gryffyndor.  As Dumbledore says:  
(paraphasing) its our choices that matter.

bugaloo37-who never fails to marvel at JKR's mastery of the ability 
to put forth such important life lessons in such simple terms.