Slytherins: selfish, not evil

[Barbara Key]

No: HPFGUIDX 172767

> Erin: 
> > Ah, precisely. Ulterior motives are the hallmark
> of a Slytherin. 
> We sometimes forget that students aren't Sorted
> based upon their 
> family background, or what they're wearing that day,
> or whatever. 
> They're Sorted based upon what is at the core of
> their 
> personalities. The criteria for being Sorted into
> Slytherin (as best 
> I can remember, not having my books on hand at work)
> is to put self 
> first. To look out for number one. And given what we
> know now, we 
> can see that selfishness is the greatest sin in
> JKR's world.


This my second post, so it might make it in.
Slytherins have their own type of courage. Phineas
Black says in OotP, "Slytherins have courage, they
just know when to run."

I look at Slytherins as looking out for their
interests, cleverly and with brains working to get
their own way. That could be for good or evil.

Slytherins don't believe in "last stands." There would
be no Slytherins at the Alamo or in the Charge of the
Light Brigade. Griffindors would be at both.

If they were in a conflict for a good cause in which
they had to fight, I would see them as the Minute Men
in the Revolutionary War - they would hit the enemy,
fade away, hit the enemy, run away. If they were
captured by the enemy, they would deny all
involvement. Then, if released, would hit the enemy
again.

On the other hand, there were Slytherin children in
Hogwarts when it was attacked, so I would imagine that
their parents would not have been happy with any Death
Eaters that harmed their children.

I also agree with whoever said that the first year
students shouldn't sorted into houses. It divides them
immediately and doesn't help them get to know or
respect the others.

Barbara