The good Slytherin

[John Kearns]

No: HPFGUIDX 131453

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Caius Marcius" 
<coriolan at w...> 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! ). 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.  
>    - CMC

John K, trying to respond without duplicating anything that's been 
said:

I have a very hard time believing that none of the 250 Slytherins 
would have been interested in the DA, just as I have a hard time 
believing that none of the 720 Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and 
Ravenclaws not present would have joined.  As has been mentioned, 
none of them knew about the DA, and if they did it is in fact 
evidence for them *not* being evil because they didn't alert the 
authorities.

You must also remember that we see everything through the ever-so-
frustrating Harry-filter.  They all seem to move in evil lockstep, 
sure, but he also knows only a handful of them, and these seem to be 
Malfoy's friends, the quidditch team, and the IS and no more.  Once 
his stereotype is planted - before he even arrives at Hogwarts - 
he's expecting all Slytherins to behave similarly, and is therefore 
looking for that behavior (and quite likely ignoring any 
contradictions).  Remember that Harry thought Penelope was a 
Slytherin- he doesn't even know who they are aside from those who 
fit his stereotype.

There is certainly ample evidence for Slytherin apologists. Salazar 
was anti-Muggle, but he lived in a different time, where magic was 
persecuted, and perhaps had reason to be fearful.  Draco tries to 
make friends with Harry and most of his actions can be explained 
through stereotypes learned at home, jealousy of Harry's fame, and 
reaction to some equally-bad actions taken by the trio. Goyle, it 
seems, was not in the IS, nor was his father at the MoM.  Nott is in 
Draco's year but seemingly is not friends with him.  Snape's a nasty 
guy, but he's saved Harry's life twice.  I could continue giving 
examples *almost* all the way down your list.

Yes, of course there is canon evidence for the evil Slytherins.  The 
story is told from Harry's perspective.  But when we put it in 
context, there is also a fair amount of evidence that not all 
Slytherins are evil at all, and in fact, that many are good.  What 
were there, maybe 50 DEs at the height of it all (a liberal 
estimate)?  What about the other 1020 Slytherins to graduate over a 
30-year period or so?

This argument reminds me of ships.  We've been deliberately set up 
so that any of a dozen things could plausibly happen.  In the 
meantime, there's plenty of evidence every which way, but there's no 
*proof* of anything at all.  Not to mention, the evidence that does 
exist manages to create some very passionate opinions - mine 
included. ;)

John K