Notification of prejudices

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 191496



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, sigurd at ... wrote:
>
> 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, ...
> 
> 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. ...
> 
> 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
>


Steve:

Yes, but if you shift your mind beyond the page, then you must see that there is a danger of becoming trapped in your own mythology. To some extent, I think that is Slytherins problem. The have come to so thoroughly believe their own mythology that they continue to act out their interpretation of this. 

There is nothing inherently wrong with Slytherin basic values, the error comes in the contemporary interpretation and implementation of those values. Just as there are factions in modern society in politics, religion, law, philosophy, and many other aspects,  who have taken their basic sound philosophy and so distorted and twisted it to their own ends, that the founders of the various philosophies would be rolling over in their graves. 

Sometimes, your mythology is the reason you do things, and sometimes it is the excuse to do things. 

This applies to any of the houses. The heroic Gryffindor could become corrupted by interpretation into something very bad. Misguided force fueled by a sense of self-superiority. The same could happen to Hufflepuff, they could become so trapped in being the good little boys and girls, that they will let atrocities pass unnoticed. And, again, the Mythology of Slytherin and Ravenclaw can be twisted to a bad end. 

By mentioning the obedience Clone Soldiers, you very much implied blind obedience. But, as I pointed out, blind obedience will not be a defense in a Crimes Against Humanity trial. There is a point where even the blindly obedience are compelled by law and morality to see and know when things have gone too far. 

Steve/bboyminn