Realistic Resolutions - WAS: Slytherins come back

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 180743

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Irene Mikhlin 
<irene_mikhlin at ...> wrote:
><SNIP>
My point is that if everyone in a certain culture is Gryffindor, 
this culture is
not viable.
<HUGE SNIP>

Alla:

Agreed of course, but is this the point that potterverse is making? 
I thought that the courage is seen as much needed value during the 
war and with that I agree definitely.

I mean, isn't this normal to expect that when author talks about 
heroes who try to win the war against evil overlord, the courage 
will be praised and highly valued?

I just do not see how it can be otherwise. IMO of course. Take the 
movie Beowulf. I hated the movie among other things because I cannot 
stand what they did with Beowulf character. But would I mind if the 
story was about some normal character and similar flaws were 
described? No of course not, but to my mind hero of the myth should 
be that - HERO, not a coward ( and in Beowulf case as I saw it liar 
and cheat)

Not sure if I am making much sense, but take Slughorn. I find his 
flight from the DE in HBP to be deeply sympathetic for me. Why? 
Because I have no idea that had I been into similar situation, 
whether I would have had enough courage to stand up and fight, BUT I 
do think that I would not have crossed the certain limit. Namely I 
do not think that I would have joined the said gang, no matter what.

Flavius in my mind crossed the limit that cannot be tolerated no 
matter what type of personality he is. He betrayed his brothers and 
sisters. But Slughorn while sympathetic to me, am I surprised that 
author makes sure he is developing courage? Not at all, because 
otherwise the war cannot be won, no?

Irene Mikhlin:
<SNIP>
To use a less controversial example (hopefully), let's have a look 
at C.S. Lewis
heroes. Even in his world of brave and noble heroes Reepicheep is 
seen as an
extreme case of Gryffindor type of behaviour. In that world it is 
accepted that
you can't make a successful expedition if everyone on board is of 
this
personality - they'd all be gloriously killed in the first port. 
This is what
JKR's world does not get, and this is where it falls flat for me.


Alla:

I read Lewis' long time ago and cannot remember much of it 
except "Lion and witch" and even that because of the movie, so I 
cannot speak about the example, but again does potterverse not get 
it?

Snape seems to be case at point, he certainly did not fight on the 
first lines, but he did fight? Dumbledore also seems to be case at 
point for me - plenty of cunning IMO. And we never did get the 
confirmation that he was from Gryffindor, no? I mean besides 
Hermione's speculation?

Alla.