Rowling uses the Sorting Hat’s song to introduce the four houses at Hogwarts and provide their defining characteristics. However, it soon becomes clear that most of Rowling’s characters do not fit neatly into one house. This is not surprising as few individuals are only characterized by their bravery, cunningness, wit, or loyalty. The descriptions and stereotypes associated with each house in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone prevent the reader from fully considering both the virtues and pitfalls of each house. Although the themes become further complicated as the series progresses, in the first book, Gryffindor and Slytherin clearly represent good and evil, respectively. Before Harry even arrives at Hogwarts, he already is forewarned of Slytherin’s evil reputation. Hagrid tells him, “‘There’s not a single witch or wizard who went bad who wasn’t in Slytherin’” (Rowling 80). Beyond past wizards, at the present, Harry associates Draco Malfoy and Professor Snape with Slytherin, both of whom seem determined to make his life a living hell (at least for most of the first book). In contrast, Rowling presents Gryffindor as the protagonist’s house where he meets his loyal companions and which has produced such great and noble wizards as Albus Dumbledore. Conveniently, the Gryffindors’ courageous acts always allow their proceeding acts of stupidity, lacking the Slytherin strategy, to go unnoticed.
Because of the houses underdeveloped identities at this point, readers may not understand certain decisions of the Sorting Hat, most notably, all prominent Gryffindors who aren’t Harry. Hermione and Ron may be misinterpreted as a Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, respectively, but such sortings ignore their contributions to the destruction of the Sorcerer’s Stone throughout the book. Although they don’t engage in direct conflict with Voldemort, like Harry does, they utilize their strengths to achieve the same goal. Ron uses his chess knowledge and Hermione, her logic, even though they are putting their lives at risk. The fact that their parents were not killed by Voldemort suggests that they are relatively braver than Harry because they don’t have a personal stake to fight for besides their recently developed friendship.
Neville's character reinforces the relation between friendship and bravery. Rowling juxtaposes Neville and Harry’s characters to show that bravery can be displayed in different ways. Harry chooses to act through his brave heart, whereas Neville uses his head to determine when he must intervene, no matter how difficult that may be. Ron and Hermione often display their bravery when acting in the name of friendship but Neville was forced to act against friendship for the common good. Dumbledore recognizes Neville’s courageous efforts in attempting to stop Harry, Ron, and Hermione from escaping their tower. He says, “‘There are all kinds of courage…It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends’” (306). Although he shows his bravery unconventionally, Neville deserves his spot in Gryffindor just as much as Harry Potter.
I agree that the different houses in Hogwarts are strongly portrayed house students possessing certain characteristics. The sorting hat sings that students in Gryfffindor are “brave at heart” and can be distinguished by their “daring, nerve, and bravery” (118). These positive attributes seem to apply to Harry, Hermione, Ron, and even Neville in a way that makes them likeable, heroic characters. However, the sorting hat characterizes those in Slytherin as “cunning folk [who] use any means to achieve their ends” (118). This description in itself seems to describe students in Slytherin as determined and hard-working, however, as the novel continues it becomes apparent that these traits are meant to affect Slytherin students’ behaviors in both positive and negative ways, apparent especially in Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape. This does, as you say, develop prejudice in the reader throughout the first book. However, I would argue that Rowling does so intentionally. By building on such a seemingly simplistic distinction between Gryffindor and Slytherin throughout the novel, Rowling plants certain ideas and opinions in the heads of the readers. As the series continues, it becomes apparent that the characteristics Rowling attributes to the houses in the first book are not applicable to every member of each house. By intentionally creating a false dichotomy in readers throughout the first book, Rowling sets them up for more surprise and suspense later in the series.
ReplyDeleteI agree that at this point in the novel, the houses are very vaguely defined in terms of their traits. Much of this comes from the ages of the characters. Eleven-year-olds tend to divide good and bad with nothing in between. Thus, what occurs with Slytherin and Gryffindor. Everything associated with Slytherin must be inherently evil, and Gryffindor takes the strong, brave protagonists. It is later in the series that age factors in, stereotypes destroyed, and the importance of traits realized.
ReplyDeleteAt this point, Rowling uses the sorting to present the theme of good vs. evil to a young audience. To Harry, Slytherin “looked like an unpleasant lot,” and he is keen to avoid association with its members (119). More so, Slytherin’s “cunning folk” use this trait to get their way in evil acts, such as Malfoy’s continual bullying (118). Harry is in Gryffindor because he is a good person, and Malfoy in Slytherin because he is evil.
When Harry puts on the Sorting Hat, he asks to not be in Slytherin. The hat replies, “Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness,” but Harry still refuses (121). I believe this is what sets apart Harry and the other Gryffindors. Yes- Gryffindors embody traits from other houses, however they choose to set aside pride. Harry, already famous, has no desire to be known as a great wizard. This “chivalry” is indeed what “set Gryffindors apart” (118).
The sorting hat is one of the most interesting parts of Hogwarts, in my opinion. The process of letting a hat evaluate a character’s mind and then place them in one of four houses based on their personality is very interesting. I agree that it is hard for the characters to perfectly fit into just one house. When Harry puts the hat on, the hat says, “Difficult. Very difficult” (121). Then, when Harry thinks about how he doesn’t want to be in Slytherin, the hat considers his opinion and says, “Are you sure? You could be great, you know…No? Well, if you’re sure – better be GRYFFINDOR!” (121). This makes it clear that Harry could have fit into either Gryffindor or Slytherin because the hat initially wanted Slytherin but allowed Harry to pick Gryffindor. This reminds me of the novel Divergent. The main character, Tris Prior, is evaluated to determine which of the five factions she will live in and does not fit perfectly into one. She is considered “Divergent” because she doesn’t fit into one character type. I think both of these novels promote the idea that being different is valuable and humans shouldn’t be shamed or looked down upon for not fitting a mold.
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