CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chamber of Secrets Chapter 17: The Heir of Slytherin

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 189259


> 
> Potioncat:
> It's been a common thread at this site about the dangers of keeping information secret. Lots of characters keep things too close. I think this is the one time we see the danger of spilling secrets.  Certainly there is a danger in both extremes.

Pippin:
I wouldn't say it was the one time.  James and Lily misplaced confidence in Peter, and Sirius allowed Kreacher to discover his secrets because he thought he could prevent the Elf from sharing them.

However, this warning about the dangers of opening one's heart comes from Tom Riddle, whose refusal to trust arguably leads to his fall. It also contrasts with Dumbledore's advice in GoF, "Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open."

I think Ginny's mistake was not in opening her heart, but in assuming that kindness and sympathy were proof of Tom's trustworthiness. Canon suggests that a better test would have been  a willingness to brave danger for her sake.

> > 
> > 6. Several times Riddle's expression is described as "hungry." Young
> > Severus's expression was described the same way in DH. What do you make of this?
> 
> Potioncat:
> Much was made of young Severus's hungry looks. Many of us saw this a needy while others gave it a more sinister slant. Riddle is most certainly hungry for power and dark deeds.
> >

Pippin:
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Sorting Hat's song in GoF, "And power-hungry Slytherin/ Loved those of great ambition."
Hunger, IOW, is part of what the Hat looks for in a Slytherin. 

Canon never says anything directly about *why* the Slytherins crave power, but I have a theory about it. One thing many Slytherins seems to share is an attitude of resignation. It's amazing how some of their more memorable speeches  reflect this. 

Bella: Throw us into Azkaban; we will wait!
Draco: I've got no choice.
Regulus: I know I will be dead long before you read this
Snape: I wish *I* were dead 

Slytherin himself resigned literally by leaving Hogwarts.  Voldemort is  certain that he can do nothing unless one of his servants returns to him. Lucius, and then Narcissa, resign their wands. 

A Slytherin, IOW, is someone who wants to make a difference, but feels he lacks the power to do so. And that sheds some light on the idea that all you have to do to avoid being placed in Slytherin is to ask the Hat to put you somewhere else. A person who believes he can make a difference is not resigned.

Pippin