Can Slytherins be ALL bad?

[lagattalucianese]

No: HPFGUIDX 143698

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Bart Lidofsky <bartl at s...> 
wrote:
>
> lagattalucianese wrote:
> > Which leads me to wonder it the Sorting Hat sometimes sorts 
students 
> > not into the house where they belong, but into the house it's 
told to 
> > sort them into. As for example, if Dumbledore knew he was going 
to 
> > need a distinctly un-Slytherin set of eyes and ears in Slytherin 
House 
> > in the not too remote future, might he not arrange to have Snape 
> > sorted there?
> 
> Bart:
> This brings up a problem with the lack of a 3rd dimension in much 
of 
> JKR's writing. In OOP, I was rather disappointed when no Slytherins 
> joined the DA. I had figured that was a good point for JKR to add a 
> dimension to the House of Slytherin.
> 
One of the points that Myers-Briggs/Kiersey analysis makes is that 
there is no such thing as a good or bad type. Certain types may not 
like like certain other types very much (for example, NTs tend to 
have issues with SPs), but each type has its strengths and its 
weaknesses, and needs to work together with the other types for 
everyone's advantage.

Come to think of it, doesn't the Sorting Hat make the same point? I 
believe it does:

Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
the warning history shows,
for our Hogwarts is in danger
from external, deadly foes
and we must unite inside her
or we'll crumble from within... 
> 
> Consider Aurors. It just seems to me that, out of all the houses, 
> Slytherin should put out the most Aurors. After all, the job 
requires a 
> highly skilled witch or wizard who is willing, for the most part, 
to 
> stick in the background. If you look at Phineas Nigellus (who is 
the the 
> best example of a good Slytherin we have), he seems like just the 
type. 
> Do what needs to be done, but don't stand out; let others take the 
> credit. Know your advantages and limitations. Think before you 
strike. 
> Don't do anything without knowing in advance what results you are 
trying 
> to achieve. These seem to be Slytherin characteristics, as well.
> 
> 	Bart
>
I don't picture Aurors being the Slytherin type particularly. (They 
actually seem more Gryffindor to me.) Slytherins are the consumate 
politicians; as the Sorting Hat says,

Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
...
And power-hungry Slytherin
loved those of great ambition.

To me, Horace Slughorn is the consumate good/neutral Slytherin, 
playing the social/political dynamic for all it's worth, and having a 
wonderful time while he's at it.

La Gatta