[HPforGrownups] Re: The good Slytherin

[Magda Grantwich]

No: HPFGUIDX 131446

--- Caius Marcius <coriolan at worldnet.att.net> wrote:
> 
> OK, let me get this straight: we are wrong to stereotype the 
> Slytherins, we are to suppose that they all react as individuals,
> but 
> at the same time the fact that they all seem to move as if in 
> lockstep should be relentlessly excused (they're not *joiners*?
> Geesh! ). 

I suppose this is meant to be a withering comeback that should leave
me abashed and trembling, but since I didn't say any such thing, I'll
be excused for not reacting that way.


> As you correctly note, the students from the other three 
> houses attend the initial DA-info meeting from a variety of
> motives, 
> ranging from total faith in Harry to budding romantic interest to 
> morbid curiosity.  What I find curious is that none of these very 
> human and very common responses impacted any of the 250 or so 
> Slytherins in any way shape or form.  

I also noted, which you haven't included, that all of the others who
came had a personal connection of some kind to the Trio.  None of the
non-Draco Slytherins has a similar connection.  I think it's the
connection rather than the motive that moved the others to attend.


> If hypothetical "good" Slytherin students start reporting for duty
> at 
> the HQ of the DA in Book Six, swearing eternal allegience to the 
> verities of the Wizarding World, it will rank as one of the most
> ill-prepared plot twists of recent literary history.

Not at all; JKR has prepared us for it by deliberately excluding most
of the Slytherins (and Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws) from Harry's
conscious awareness, and as his circle grows, he will confront new
kids.  Should he have done this earlier?  Probably but Harry's lack
of curiosity is almost proverbial by now we'll just have to accept
it.

Magda 


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com