[HPforGrownups] Re: Opposite of Gryffindor? - Nature of Sorting

[Magda Grantwich]

No: HPFGUIDX 125552

> bboyminn:
> 
> I reformated your paragraphs slightly. I'm confused how you can
> interpret "...we will always ... save our own necks..." as anything
> other than saving yourself rather than others. He, in the context
> of the book and that scene, is saying that he understands Harry
> running away and saving himself, which implies leaving other 
> behind. 


This is Phineas' entire paragraph, in Chapter 23 OOTP:

"Not running away, no," said Harry shortly....

"I thought," said Phineas Nigellus, stroking his pointed beard, "that
to belong in Gryffindor house you were supposed to be *brave*
[italicized].  It looks to me as though you would have been better
off in my own house.  We Slytherins are brave, yes, but not stupid. 
For instance, given the choice, we will always choose to save our own
necks."

Then he passes on Dumbledore's instruction for Harry to "stay where
you are" and there's a yelling match.

As you say, we have to consider the context.

Yes, I suppose the obvious interpretation of "save our own necks"
would be that PN is commenting on how Harry's running away would fit
into Slytherin's supposed characteristics.  But I don't believe
Phineas would site approvingly behaviour that was not admirable,
since he's a pretty house-proud portrait.  He's playing on the
Gryffindor/Slytherin rivalry thing, whereby to a member of those
houses the worst thing would be to ascribe other-housely attributes
to them.  (PN doesn't know, I assume, about the Harry-Sorting Hat
debate.)  And he's using the terms a Gryffindor would use to
reinforce that rivalry.  

But mostly PN is using some reverse psychology on Harry here (and
enjoying it tremendously).  He's mocking Harry's motivation ("this is
no cowardly flight...you're being *noble*.") in a way that will cause
Harry to stop what he's doing on his volition.  Just to forbid a teen
to do something (as Dumbledore does via PN) won't work.  PN is doing
his little bit in advance of passing on orders to ensure 
that Harry will be more likely to actually obey.

So, to sum up, I believe that PN's comments about "saving our own
necks" refers to the Gryffindor view of a Slytherin's courage to
segue into the immediate context getting Harry to stop what he's
planning to do, that is to leave 12GP.  

Just to make myself completely clear: I don't believe that PN would
refer to Slytherins "saving our own necks" if he were taking part in
a symposium on house characteristics.

Magda


	
		
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