Salazar & Slytherin - Quality of Qualities.

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 121863


Potioncat snipping earlier part of post
> 
> bboyminn responding to both Alla and Del:
> 
> I think in generally 'qualities' are neutral because the /quality/ 
of
> the 'qualities' depends on perspective. The qualities cunning and
> ruthlessness of a Slytherin is a positive thing to a Slytherin, but
> not so much so to others. I think Dumbledore was simply 
acknowledging /aspects/ of Harry that parallelled the aspects of 
Slytherin. There was no implication of /quality/ of qualities 
judgement (did that make sense?).

Potioncat:
Excellent post, Steve.  

I do disagree with the above section.  Yes, it's true the word 
quality can mean aspect and can be neutral.  But when one person 
(usually a doting adult) tells another person (usually a discouraged 
child or teen) "Look at all your qualities..."
The word means "Good points" I think that's what DD is doing.  And 
he is acknowledging (as PuppetMaster!JKR pulls the strings) to the 
readers that there is good in Slytherin.


And, although I snipped it all, I liked the way you showed how Harry 
could have fit in each of the other Houses.

> Steve:
> As far as a /disregard for the rules/ being a Gryffindor quality, I
> don't think so. Draco certainly /disregards/ the rule in a 
different way than Harry does. Slytherin disregard for the rules is 
usually for personal good, as in slightly dodgey business practices 
in the interest of maximizing profits. Harry and Gryffindor on the 
other hand have more of a sense of WHEN the rule /need/ to be 
disregarded for the /greater good/. 

Potioncat:
I only disagree a little here.  I think a disregard for the rules 
describes both Gryffindor and Slytherin. Which of course, doesn't 
mean Hufflepuffs or Ravenclaws never break rules. But I've seen some 
of the "for the personal good, slightly dodgey buisness practices" 
performed by two ginger haired Gryffindors.  ;-)

Steve:
Let's face it, the greatest hero in all
> cultures are people who knew when it was the appropriate time to 
break the rules. Just a few thoughts.
> 

Potioncat: Agreed

Potioncat wonders how she ends up defending Slytherins so much when 
she really only likes 2 of them.