We live stereotypes

[koticzka]

No: HPFGUIDX 57546

Please forgive me, if I repeat something that was already said 
before, I am very fresh here. moreover I a little bit messy below. 
But on the other hand - sometimes it is good to get back to the 
origins from very sophisticated discussion...

I was wondering about bad Slyths and cristal Gryffs...

Well, we can observe a kind of marginal behaviour of marginal 
individuals. We do not have average. It seems quite normal (well, in 
common sense) that some more or less formal groups feel better than 
others and have their own sense of morality or ethics. As is in all 
groups in whole of the world - in schools, universities houses, 
companies, streets, classes even. Is it not what science of 
sociology is about?

And stereotypes who work for itselves is strenghening - tell someone he 
is stupid - he will get worse results - psychological efect. As 
noblesse oblige.

I am not very keen on very positive characters, because they used to 
be boring. Yet those Gryffs make some surprises - especially 
Weasleys the Twins ;) Not quite noble behaviour sometimes... Though 
at a result quite fair. Trying to cross the Age Line to attend 
Triwizard Tournament...

PoA: Harry Potter using his Invisible Cloak in Hogsmeade against 
Slyth's trio. Very wise, indeed. And how noble... ;)

The only extremely rightous person - Minerva McGonnagal, punishing 
also Malfoy Jr. for not being in bed in PS (the dragon affaire).


But, well, one not always knows the final result... I heard that 
Japanese judge people by results, not intentions. I do not like it.
As far as intentions are considered - it is not so obvious either. 
We also have means. And aims. And some experiences. And priorities. 
So serving to your own house and making it win OR being noble 
(clumsy someone like Malfoy Sr. would say) and lose? So perhaps it 
is not about good and evil but priorities? like in Andersen's story 
about little Juish girl who respected her parents according to the 
religion she believed in (catholicism?) and she stayed Juish in 
respect for her parents because it was against the religion... 

Complex. I exagerate. But sometimes choices are so difficult, when 
you have to choose between your priorities, believes and values you 
have been grown up with. And IT IS a lighter version of 
famous "Sophia's Choice" that happen sometimes. Perhaps some (note: 
SOME) adults with their experience might not have problems chosing 
between good and evil, because they (we?) have more strategical 
attitude. 

Perhaps we understand the meaning of those two extremes 
better. But children? Do they? When they are said that the family 
and noblesse are the most important virtues and that they will be 
expelled and "cursed out" of the family, that they will be not loved 
any more as traitors of those traditional values? Who would not 
hesitate to lose everything? For what? A boy who despises you and 
throws away your hand  - like Harry had thrown away Malfoy Jr.? Even 
if Draco had another idea of good and evil. 

Slitherin does appear to me as a caste environment. Another extreme 
version of people's common behaviour - when you are well educated 
and even better situated, you will look for your friends among 
people like you. Sorry, but it is true. They understand that lose of 
your favourite car (or NIMBUS 2001) is the disaster. And again - the 
owner of two pink cadillac (two FIREBOLTS???) hardly will understand 
a person, who is trying to plan every single penny till next salary, 
being scared not to get ill because it means more expenses and days 
off, when you can lose your job. As the truth is - there are 
exceptions. As miracles happen...

I know you will consier it trivial, but is it not a kind of cliche, 
also shown in a book? We all live in stereotypes. Yes. We do. Even 
Grown ups, very wise and experienced persons. We use them all the 
time, every single minute.

At last - if the book is for children (anyway, it would be its very 
first thought) - you need some white and some black. Ying nad Yang? 
No, much more complicated and complex! In a wise book not everything 
is so obvious - and for instant: we heard some rumours (from JKR 
herself) that Malfoy Jr. will stand by Harry's side for a while. It 
is what I am very curious about - why only for a while? Why at all???

Three more things for further consideration:

1) Harry had been suggested to become Slyth by Sorting Hat.

2) We do not know how Black the Gryff had told to Snape the Slyth to 
come to Shrieking Shrack. He might had played worse - a false friend 
for Snape. We do not know. Not yet. Why indeed Snape follow Sirius? 
What whas his purpose? Broken rules? Security? Curiosity?

3) Yes. Very noble - to add points for Gryffindor at the very end. 
Bravo, Headmaster! What an example  for youngsters! Was he Gryff? 
No? he seems to favour them, don't he? For the balance with weaker 
Snape, of course.

Koticzka
How can you hurt a man who has nothing? 
Give him something broken.