Neville Longbottom: a True Gryffindor

Why Neville is a perfect fit in the Gryffindor house

J.K. Rowling’s renowned novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, depicts a magical world of Hogwarts, the school of witchcraft and wizardry, where the story of the protagonist Harry Potter begins. The famed Hogwarts is composed of four different houses with four distinct features: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. In particular, Gryffindor, home of the protagonists, including Harry Potter, Ron, and Hermione, is “where dwell the brave at heart”, and “their daring, nerve and chivalry set Gryffindors apart” (92-93). While many of the critics believe that such characteristics are present in the protagonists, some wonder if the sorting hat made a mistake with Neville Longbottom by placing him in Gryffindor. The boy who frequently losses his frog rarely fits the brave and charismatic characteristics of a Gryffindor in the beginning of the novel, but Neville sets to prove that the sorting hat was right as he slowly uncovers his bravery at heart (89).

Neville Longbottom first appears in the novel as a boy who keeps on losing his pet toad (73). Labelled as the “toadless boy” thereafter, Neville seems to be a helpless, uncharismatic, and awkward character (84). The characterization held true even during the sorting hat process. “The hat took a long time to decide with Neville and when it finally shouted, ‘Gryffindor’, Neville ran off still wearing it, and had to jog back amid gales of laughter” (96). After all, he was a boy that “his family thought he was all- Muggle for ages” (100). At this point, readers may be puzzled as to why such an awkward boy was chosen as a Gryffindor. Was it because he did not fit anywhere else? Did the sorting hat give up on the decision?

After the sorting process, Neville continues to have a hard time proving the readers wrong by struggling in many aspects at Hogwarts. During potions class, Neville, “who was drenched in the potion”, “moaned in pain as angry red boils sprang up all over his arms and legs”, which led Snape to call him an “Idiot boy” (110-111). Later, even Neville confesses that “he’s not brave enough to be in Gryffindor” as he refuses to stand up to Malfoy’s bullying (174).

 Yet, as the novel progresses, Neville shows signs of growing up and uncovering the bravery by overcoming his nerves and flaws. Bravery does not necessarily have to be about being the hero. Neville shows his bravery through overcoming his flaws: even though Neville was “nervous and jumpy and frightened” of flying, he took the courage to attempt and succeed in flying temporarily (although he would break his wrist) (116).  Furthermore, he starts showing his bravery when he stands up for himself after Malfoy’s insult as he declares that he is “worth twelve of Malfoy” (178). Later, much to everyone’s surprise, Neville “tried to take on Crabbe and Goyle single-handed” (181). In small increments, Neville progresses to overcome his fear and growing up as brave and daring Gryffindor. Finally, as Neville shows his bravery to prevent his friends from not only getting in trouble, but endangering themselves from further dangers in going after the Sorcerer’s stone, he is awarded ten points for his house (247). Dumbledore’s recognition that “it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up for our friends” shows that Neville is a true Gryffindor who possesses the signatures characteristics of “bravery, daring, nerve, and chivalry” (92, 247).