Notification of prejudices

[sigurd at eclipse.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 191486

Dear Steve

No one is asserting unquestioning obedience. In the specific case of Harry Potter the Hufflepuff "obedience" is tempered by their other virtues, loyalty, generosity, hard work, etc, which we all know and which leads us to believe they are highly moral and prize common decenty and charity. Certainly the actions of their exemplar Cedric show this when he wishes to share the glory of the goblet with Harry.

But Hufflepuff is contrasted completely with the Slytherin idea which seems to be an unbridled egoism and an idea that the self above the other comes first. It's not that Rowlings seems to cast the Slytherin as "look out for number one first" its "look out for number one and screw everyone else just to screw them."

Indeed, the "virtues" of Slytherin, according to Rowlings seems to be simply a cover for unbridled selfishness and cynicism.

These are not my characters, or characterizations, but Rowling's.

Otto