Did the Slytherins come back?

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 181796

>> > Oryomai:
> > I remember the near violent list debate a while ago about 
> > whether the Slytherins came back or not at the end of DH in 
> > order to help the fight.
> > <snip of one of JKR's many contradictory interviews>
> > I couldn't remember if this was resolved or not, but for 
> > those who believe JKR interviews, it is!

> >>bboyminn:
> When we debated this, I was alway sure that in her own mind,
> JKR was convinced the Slytherins did return to fight, but the
> real question is, directly or indirectly, did she make it clear
> in the story. And, I think the answer is No.

Betsy Hp:
I agree! :D

> >>bboyminn:
> In the view of many, this leave the Slytherins, as a whole,
> totally unredeemed. She keeps telling us that not all
> Slytherins are bad, and I've always agreed, but beyond a 
> couple specific characters, where has she shown this to us?

Betsy Hp:
The other thing is, IMO, the *only* place JKR tells us not all 
Slytherins are bad is in her interviews.  It's really hard to find 
places in the text that support her theory.  The Gryffindors 
certainly hate all Slytherins on sight, and they're never put in a 
position to learn anything different.  Neither is their behavior 
towards Slytherins ever questioned.  Whereas Slytherins behaving 
badly is clearly seen as such.

It's strange, and I'm not sure why she did it, but it's like JKR 
wrote one book (or series) and but then interviews about an entirely 
different set.  Unless we're going with the esoteric what appears to 
be isn't and what seems to not be is reading (and if you're confused 
by that phrase you begin to see the issue of doing that sort of 
reading <eg>) we're left with a series in which certain people are 
just evil from birth (or age eleven) and some people are good and 
here's a series where they battle.

Which leaves for a fun story (if you like the good guys and JKR's 
style of writing) but not a deep one.

Betsy Hp