Reacting to DH (was:Snape Reduced LONG(was: Re: Villain!Dumbledore...

[lizzyben04]

No: HPFGUIDX 177996

Jeanette:
Slytherins are the rich children of the powerful people.  They have
always existed, they go to the right schools and do the right jobs,
and run the
country when they are older.  While they are young, they are obnoxious.
a lot of them do a lot of good in their lives.  Others don't.
<snip>
Gryffindors are poor but honest...  (drawing with a very broad brush
 here - bear with me please).  Some marry up, some end up feckless and
lawless, but basically we are talking about the backbone of the
country, who do the normal jobs that keep the world turning. 

lizzyben:

Well, one problem with that view is that Slytherins/Gryffindors aren't
really divided by socio-economic level. Snape was working-class, yet
was sorted Slytherin. Riddle was totally indigent, yet sorted
Slytherin. You get the sense that the Gaunts are all "Slytherins," yet
they live in a shack w/a snake nailed to the door! Not exactly running
the world. The Potters are Gryffindors, and they are incredibly rich
and one of the oldest families in the Wizarding World. Justin
Finch-Fletchley is from a rich aristocratic family, yet is sorted
Hufflepuff. I would've maybe agreed w/this view a few books ago, but
now it seems like socioeconomic level has little to do with the
Sorting - it's character that matters.