Scapegoating Slytherin (was:Punishing Draco )

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 144109

 
> Jen:  
> Much as I'm all for unity and the symbolism of the four houses 
> representing the four elements, something HAS gone deeply wrong in 
the 
> WW, and Slytherin house has been more closely connected with the 
> crimes than any of the other houses. I still don't think Salazar 
> Slytherin *intended* that in the beginning, and believe we need to 
> know more about the Founder's split to understand where it all 
began. 

Potioncat:
But we have JKR saying that all four houses are important; that not 
every Slytherin is bad; that there are DE children in other Houses. 
To use an example from my RL, (and a point that gets made here from 
time to time) while most KKK members came from the South, not every 
Southerner supported the KKK. So if the four Houses of Hogwarts had 
been determined by which section of the US the child came from, the 
Dixie House might produce more....oh, you get my point.


Jen:> I also don't believe for a mintue that all children sorted into 
> Slytherin are examples of humanity at its worst, they are being 
> victimized by this oppression as much as children from other houses.

Potioncat:
I think we are taking JKR's plan a little too far, or rather working 
it out too deeply. 

Jen: 
> How it will all sort out I don't have a clue, but I do think a 
major 
> theme is the horrific fallout from race discrimination, 
specifically.

Potioncat:
Yes, I think racism is an issue in the book, and an important one. 
And a "me too" to whomever pointed out that DD berated Fudge about it.

And, as I only like two Slytherins in the book (two known Slytherins) 
I don't know how I ended up supporting the House so often!