[HPforGrownups] Slughorn: a different look at Slytherin

[rayheuer3 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 134180

 
Sue writes:
 
>One thing I noticed in HBP, and rather enjoyed, was the fact that  Horace 
Slughorn >represents a departure from the usual "evil" Slytherin  students and 
alumni we have seen. >He's not potrayed as evil, just ambitious.  He is more 
than ready and willing to use his >contacts for his own personal  benefit. But 
he has been on the run for a year to avoid the >DE's, which  implies he does 
not want to choose their "side" in the war. 

 
  Crabbe and Goyle are Slytherins, but they seem to have no will of  their 
own (not in the Imperius sense, just in the sense that they are born  
followers).  Slughorn may be one of those.  He relies on others to  give him the good 
life, but does very little of an active nature.  The main  reason (IMHO) that he 
isn't a DE is that that would require him to take a  risk.  The Malfoys and 
Snape may be guided by "enlightened  self-interest", but Slughorn's motivation 
is simple self-interest - the greatest  personal gain with the least effort 
and NO risk.

>This "new" look at Slytherin house is a welcome change. Thanks,  Jo!
 
  Ditto.
 
  --  Ray

 


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