Gryffindor & Slytherin roles (was Villain!Dumbledore)

[slytherin_jenn]

No: HPFGUIDX 177735

Delurking for a bit.... (replying to the general themes of this thread
so forgive me for not quoting)
Celoneth-
Even if Slytherins in JKR's world embody blood racism(though I don't
agree) - there is a prevalent view that muggleborns are inferior - a
view not shared by Slytherins alone. As far as anti-muggle
legislation, how could it have passed w/ only a quarter of the
population in favour and the rest against - regardless of the
political structure of the WW - passing laws opposed to by the rest of
the community does not make for sensible governance. The way I read
the books, is that a lot of people in the WW share the view that
muggleborns are inferior or at the least odd. Even Arthur Weasley who
is described as a huge muggle fan - looks at muggles as though they're
amusing creatures - what could be described as patronisingly racist in
its own way. Slytherins are not alone in disliking muggleborns, nor is
there any indication that hating muggleborns is a required trait of
Slytherin house - Slytherin did only want purebloods(though we see
that half-bloods can get into Slytherin as well), but never is there a
description in the sorting ceremony that Slytherin wanted only those
who hate muggles/muggleborns in Slytherin house. 

Nor are Slytherins alone in committing murders or other unforgivable
things. We have the First War MoM authorising the use of Unforgivables
against suspected DEs - murder, torture, mind control against persons
who had not been proven guilty in any way - merely suspected (and
those accused thrown in prison w/o trial often). That to me is as pure
a definition of evil as Voldemort & Co. - even worse since they were
supported by the vast majority of the WW (and not by just Slytherins).
We have the MoM in the Second War starting to be just as evil as the
first time around. We have DD possibly killing his own sister due to
his recklessness and planning taking over the non-magical world out of
some twisted sense of nobility and the "greater good," both which stem
from what are described as Gryffindor traits. There are countless
examples in the books of horrible things that aren't attributed to
Slytherin house, or the characteristics of Slytherin house. To say
that all the houses are good, except for Slytherin which is inherently
evil is simply not supported in evidence. There is evidence of a
Gryffindor-Slytherin rivalry, the book is written from Harry's
perspective so we do see Gryffindor bias. I believe that Dumbledore
has the same Gryffindor bias, seeing his house, the qualities favoured
by his house as the best - hence the Snape was sorted too soon comment
(at least this is how I read it).

I also don't get the Slytherin house = Nazi comparison. DE = Nazis I
would understand, but not Slytherins in general. Phineas Nigelius
tells Harry in OotP that Slytherins would always save their own necks
first and that's how I've always seen Slytherin actions. Out of the
entire house, only Draco, Crabbe & Goyle are actively shown as
supporting Voldemort. The rest keep quiet and adjust to how things
turn out - something very common in real life(as Im sure were a lot of
people in other houses). The vast majority of people do not stand up,
or risk their lives for some greater cause, a lot of people view
saving themselves and their family to be above some grand noble
purpose, especially when standing up has a high chance of failure with
terrible consiquences. Doesn't make for appealing characters perhaps
in literature but its very realistic. It certainly does not lower them
to the level of Nazis.  

I've always viewed the houses as having advantages and disadvantages
and hoped greatly that at the end of the series that sorting by
character traits would end or be modified somehow. Sorting seems to
bring out the best and worst of what each founder admired. Gryffindors
are brave but reckless, Ravenclaws value knowledge but can be distant
and knowledge can be for good or ill, Hufflepuffs are hardworking but
can work hard at the good just as the bad, Slytherins are cunning and
ambitious - at best successful and high achieving and at worst
corrupt.  Though we read the books largely through Harry and
Dumbledore's POV hence, imo we get a huge Gryffindor bias, but I just
can't buy the idea that Slytherin = evil. Situationally perhaps there
was a greater prevalence of Slytherins committing horrible things
because Voldemort was obsessed with achieving his ancestor's great
ambition - but I wonder what would have happened if young Dumbledore
had decided to put his plan for the "greater good" in action.
back to lurking...
Celoneth