Opposite of Gryffindor? - Nature of Sorting

[Hannah]

No: HPFGUIDX 125513


 Steve <bboyminn at y...> wrote:
>  
> > But as Phineas Nigellus pointed out, Slytherins have plenty of
> > courage, but in the thick of things, Slytherins will courageously
> > save
> > themselve and their own, rather than jump in and selflessly save
> > others. In this illustration, it is not the presents or absents 
of courage, but the quality of character and selflessness that are 
the determining factors. So the presents of courage doesn't alway
> > manifest itself in couragious (read - heroic) ways.
> 
> Magda replied:
> Well, to be fair, that's not exactly what Phineas says: 
> 
> Chapter 23 - OOTP
> 
> "We Slytherins are brave, yes, but not stupid.  For instance, given
> the choice, we will always choose to save our own necks."
> 
> Phineas doesn't say anything about not saving others.  What he's
> commenting on is the thin line that divides Gryffindor bravery from
> Gryffindor bravado.  A dead hero is no good to anyone.
> 
> He's not talking about leaving others behind or not putting 
yourself out for others in dangerous situations.  As a Slytherin 
he's opposed to recklessness, to not planning for unforeseen 
circumstances and he's in favour of getting your priorities right.  
Sometimes charging into a situation with nothing but selfless 
heroism to get you through
> it isn't the best plan - something we see when Harry insists on 
going to the MOM.
> 
> Magda (who doesn't doubt at all that Gilderoy Lockhart was a 
Gryffindor)

Hannah now:  Ooh - a sorting thread!  I love these!

Do you think GL was a Gryffindor, Magda?  I've always seen him as 
the stereotypical Slytherin.  Ambitious, unafraid to use whatever 
means necessary to get what he wants, cunning even if he's not 
clever (and Crabbe and Goyle are living proof that Slytherins aren't 
necessarily clever).  I suppose Lockhart may have *asked* to be in 
Gryffindor because he perceived it as having a better image, which 
could explain him being placed there.

One of things I really hate about the Sorting system is the way that 
it tells children what personality traits and qualities they have.  
It's a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Effectively, the Sorting hat 
labels each eleven year it places.  And all childcare practioners 
know you should never ever do that.  If you tell a child they 
are 'naughty' they will often end up living up to that image you 
have given them.  So what does the house 'label' given to each 
Hogwarts student do to each of those children, especially those 
labelled Slytherin or Hufflepuff?

Why do Hufflepuff apparently lag behind the other houses in most 
things (house points, Quidditch etc.)?  Is it because loyal, kind, 
tolerant, hard working people are all losers?  Of course not.  It's 
because Hufflepuff has the image of being 'a load of duffers.'  And 
the children stuck into the 'house of duffers' thus live up to that 
image.  Why are most Death Eaters from Slytherin?  Because all 
ambitious people are pure evil?  No, because they are told they are 
in the 'dark wizard house' and treated as such from day one, for 
seven of their most important formative years.

As for the bravery thing, I don't see bravery as a quality you 
either have or don't have.  I think *anyone* can show bravery under 
certain circumstances, and yes, anyone can be cowardly.  Gryffindors 
are all perceived as brave because they're labelled as such.  If a 
Gryffindor, for example, saves someone's life, they are being 
brave.  If a Slytherin did the same, they'd be making a cunning 
attempt to gain themselves the recognition and accolades they so 
ambitiously crave...  It's a question of perception.  Presumably the 
Ravenclaws are too busy reading and the Hufflepuffs still trying to 
tie their shoelaces when brave deeds need committing.

OK, I'll stop ranting now.  The house system really gets me worked 
up (as you can tell!).  By the way, I'm railing against the system, 
not any of the posters here!

Hannah

I've written a very short fanfic based on the silliness of the 
sorting system, if anyone's interested.  It's at 
http://www.riddikulus.org/authors/hmarder/EK.html  People seem to 
like it.