Meek!Hufflepuff (Was Re: The Sorting Hat)

[bluesqueak]

No: HPFGUIDX 87550

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "arcum42" <Arcum_Dagsson at c...> 
wrote:
> > > Mandy: 
> > > Hufflepuff is the house the majority of the world would belong
> > > to. Happily and unhappily following along, doing what is 
> > > required of us, moaning about our lot in life but too afraid 
> > > to actually change the world around us to make it any better. 
> > 
> > Kneasy:
> > You do yourself an injustice; Hufflepuffs are too meek to moan 
> > about life, the universe and everything. Born followers, meekly 
> > trailing behind the more forceful, hoping like hell they know 
> > what they're doing and that all will be well in the end. 
> Suckers, every one. 

Arcum:
<Snip>
> Being a Hufflepuff does not make you meek, stupid, or unambitious. 
> Nor do you have to be a follower to be a Hufflepuff (though they
> would make good followers). And they are hardworking at 
> whatever they do. If they want to change the world, they will
> at least put a good effort into it!
> 
> Hufflepuffs are just, loyal, true, and unafraid of toil. 
> (Per the SS/PS sorting song)

Pip!Squeak:

And the heraldic symbol of their house is a badger.

There are several badgers in British children's fiction. None of 
them are meek, stupid or a sucker. Badger in Wind in the Willows is 
probably the wisest of the animals.

I suspect JKR was thinking of the badger Trufflehunter, a character 
in C.S. Lewis's 'Prince Caspian'.


[Warning: minor spoilers follow]


Trufflehunter is one of the first characters to recognise that 
Prince Caspian, despite being one of the Telemarines who conquered 
Narnia, is capable of being a true King to all Narnia. He holds this 
view despite his two friends disagreeing with him; solidly enough 
that the rather doubtful Trumpkin is willing to follow his lead.

He fights in the war to put Caspian on the throne. When he is 
offered a sword to fight with, he refuses. His comment is that he is 
a beast, and if his claws and teeth can't keep his skin whole, it 
won't be worth keeping. When he is later praised for his true 
loyalty (he supported Caspian even when all seemed lost), he remarks 
that it's no credit to him; it's his nature as a badger to hold on.


Trufflehunter is what a true Hufflepuff should be. He is just, he is 
loyal, he is brave, he holds on. He is aware of his true nature. He 
knows that he is not capable of being King of Narnia, nor does he 
try to imitate humans. He is proud of what he is, but knows that he 
shouldn't be especially praised for being what he was born to be.

What he most certainly isn't is someone who follows along. He sees 
someone he can give loyalty to - then persuades others that *his* 
judgement is worth listening to. Far from being afraid to change the 
world, he goes right ahead and fights to change it. Far from 
trailing behind the more forceful, *he* is the more forceful.

Trufflehunter does hope, though. He can see a better world than the 
one he's got; but he's clear sighted enough to see that he 
personally might die trying to achieve it.

I think that Ernie (Arcum gave an excellent breakdown of Ernie's 
character upthread) is this type of Hufflepuff. Ernie doesn't follow 
the majority view, but the view he sees as right. He is just, and 
admits his own mistakes. There is a very distinct flavour that Ernie 
is proud of his ability to work hard. And, as a Prefect in his 
house, he seems to have some leadership ability.

And he knows he's going to have to fight. Umbridge is wrong, wrong, 
WRONG in not teaching them defensive spells. Ernie is quite willing 
to risk trouble by being a DA member.

I suspect that he will also be clear sighted enough to see that he 
might die against Voldemort, but will think it worth it.


Hufflepuff's low status at Hogwarts is a true representation of the 
modern world. Loyalty, hard work and honesty are not only underrated 
virtues; very often people actively sneer at them. But be honest; a 
civilisation where there is no loyalty, no honesty, and where people 
want to get everything without working for it is one where the 
Deatheaters have won.

I've argued before that the Wizarding World has lost its soul. They 
won't get it back without Hufflepuff.

Pip!Squeak