CHAP. DISCUSSION: CHAP 11 Question 2

[davewitley]

No: HPFGUIDX 90855

Marianne wrote:

> 2.	Would there be greater unity within Hogwarts of the 
tradition 
> of sorting students into houses was abolished?

I find it hard to answer this question with reference to canon alone.

I think the problem at Hogwarts is not that students are sorted but 
the criteria for the sorting, personal characteristic.

Normally, sorting into houses for schools that have them is 
essentially random (with the exception that siblings all go into the 
same house at some schools).  This creates division that doesn't 
matter off the sports field, while creating an incentive for unity 
within a house across the divisions that naturally come up at school 
(academic ability, athletic ability, social background, and subject 
matter selection).  So, at my school, each year was divided into 
four classes according to academic ability, but each class had a mix 
of the four houses (it always seems to be four) - unlike Hogwarts.

Putting all people with characteristics that are clearly 
identifiable, as at Hogwarts, is bound to exacerbate divisions, 
IMO.  It doesn't do the Slytherins any good (again IMO) to 
stigmatise them, before they start a single lesson, as deceitful and 
grasping, with the implication that that is how they will remain 
(because you don't change house).

David