*Disclaimer: Despite the explosive post title, I actually like the whole idea of the houses as different personalities (and real people as fitting into them) a lot and don't think it's invalid. I just wanted to present a different reading of the houses and what they represent, which I think is equally valid. I also don't actually hate Slytherin and Ravenclaw as houses- so if you are in one of those houses I apologise and hope you can still see what I'm coming at here.*
People seem to be quite fixated on the idea of houses as personality types and get quite hung up over representation/bias for or against certain houses in the series. But what if they were never actually intended for readers to identify with, and their function in the series is actually something quite different?
In this reading of the series, Slytherin represents dark, selfish instincts. I've done a lot of thinking about it and when it comes down to it, the defining trait of Slytherin is caring the most about yourself/putting yourself first. While putting yourself first can sometimes be important, Slytherin shows us what happens when you live only for personal gain. Being power hungry is also an important attribute of Slytherin, especially in this reading of the series. The overwhelming majority of Slytherins we meet perfectly embody this. They are willing to hurt others for their own benefit.
Hufflepuff represents the lighter side of humanity- goodness, compassion, empathy and innocence. Unaffected heroism and selflessness. The defining trait of Hufflepuff is caring the most about others/putting others first. J.K. Rowling once said "everyone should want to be a Hufflepuff"- and I know a lot of people wouldn't listen to her (plus I believe she was actually quoting something her daughter said to her) but I just think that quote really illustrates the purpose of Hufflepuff in the books. Hufflepuff represents the pinnacle of human goodness, an ideal that the average person strives towards.
I think what lead me to this theory was actually the realisation that Gryffindor is a lot harder to succinctly define, and that it shares most of its important personality characteristics with Slytherin and Hufflepuff. I also noticed that Gryffindor shares mainly negative traits with Slytherin, and mainly positive traits with Hufflepuff. Which is what lead me to the conclusion that Gryffindor represents the struggle between good and evil.
We see in the books that Gryffindors are equally capable of the self-centred, power hungry behaviour typically associated with Slytherin, and extraordinary feats of heroism and selflessness more in the vein of Hufflepuff. Just about every Gryffindor character struggles with the conflict between these two sides. We see them being tempted by the dark, and occasionally giving into it, but finding the strength to fight it and choose good. Some characters (eg. Percy, young Dumbledore) get swept away by the allure of power and glory and give into these Slytherin aspects of their personalities for a while, but eventually come around and manage to resist these temptations and emerge into the light once again. We also have an example of someone who completely gave into the dark- Peter Pettigrew.
There could have been more examples of that, I reckon. However, I think the abundance of positive character arcs in Gryffindor characters is meant to inspire the reader. To show us that we, too, can overcome. Because this struggle between dark and light is at the core of what it means to be human. And that's why the title says "everyone is Gryffindor"- because, regardless of which house you identify as, when you read the series this way, Gryffindor represents all of us.
What about Ravenclaw, you ask? I suspect they were just there as the obligatory fourth house because school houses typically number four. They don't really have a part in this morality struggle- but I like what Rowling did with them in that she made that degree of separation part of their character, as being removed from the concerns of the world is one of Ravenclaw's defining traits.
People seem to be quite fixated on the idea of houses as personality types and get quite hung up over representation/bias for or against certain houses in the series. But what if they were never actually intended for readers to identify with, and their function in the series is actually something quite different?
In this reading of the series, Slytherin represents dark, selfish instincts. I've done a lot of thinking about it and when it comes down to it, the defining trait of Slytherin is caring the most about yourself/putting yourself first. While putting yourself first can sometimes be important, Slytherin shows us what happens when you live only for personal gain. Being power hungry is also an important attribute of Slytherin, especially in this reading of the series. The overwhelming majority of Slytherins we meet perfectly embody this. They are willing to hurt others for their own benefit.
Hufflepuff represents the lighter side of humanity- goodness, compassion, empathy and innocence. Unaffected heroism and selflessness. The defining trait of Hufflepuff is caring the most about others/putting others first. J.K. Rowling once said "everyone should want to be a Hufflepuff"- and I know a lot of people wouldn't listen to her (plus I believe she was actually quoting something her daughter said to her) but I just think that quote really illustrates the purpose of Hufflepuff in the books. Hufflepuff represents the pinnacle of human goodness, an ideal that the average person strives towards.
I think what lead me to this theory was actually the realisation that Gryffindor is a lot harder to succinctly define, and that it shares most of its important personality characteristics with Slytherin and Hufflepuff. I also noticed that Gryffindor shares mainly negative traits with Slytherin, and mainly positive traits with Hufflepuff. Which is what lead me to the conclusion that Gryffindor represents the struggle between good and evil.
We see in the books that Gryffindors are equally capable of the self-centred, power hungry behaviour typically associated with Slytherin, and extraordinary feats of heroism and selflessness more in the vein of Hufflepuff. Just about every Gryffindor character struggles with the conflict between these two sides. We see them being tempted by the dark, and occasionally giving into it, but finding the strength to fight it and choose good. Some characters (eg. Percy, young Dumbledore) get swept away by the allure of power and glory and give into these Slytherin aspects of their personalities for a while, but eventually come around and manage to resist these temptations and emerge into the light once again. We also have an example of someone who completely gave into the dark- Peter Pettigrew.
There could have been more examples of that, I reckon. However, I think the abundance of positive character arcs in Gryffindor characters is meant to inspire the reader. To show us that we, too, can overcome. Because this struggle between dark and light is at the core of what it means to be human. And that's why the title says "everyone is Gryffindor"- because, regardless of which house you identify as, when you read the series this way, Gryffindor represents all of us.
What about Ravenclaw, you ask? I suspect they were just there as the obligatory fourth house because school houses typically number four. They don't really have a part in this morality struggle- but I like what Rowling did with them in that she made that degree of separation part of their character, as being removed from the concerns of the world is one of Ravenclaw's defining traits.
Slytherin the house of apparent "evil." If you think about it the kids in Slytherin that went with Voldemort granted probably went with him because they were sick of being rejected. Nobody wanted to be friends with the Slytherins and automatically assumed them evil not to mention the fact that some were pressured by their parents such as Draco. Nobody considers the fact that his dad abuses him mentally and is often rough with him so nobody knows what happens behind closed doors.In my opinion people are way to quick to judge Slytherins without considering their pasts and the pressure put upon them.Thefore,Slytherins may be more misunderstood than bad.
The “Regression” actress tweeted that “she can’t wait to see” Dumezweni revive the role in the upcoming London stage production of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”
Watson would always be remembered as the female lead role when it comes to “Harry Potter” films. Watson started playing the role of Hermoine Granger from the age of 11 and continued for 10 years, alongside the titular actor Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint who played as Ron Weasley.
Its a Stage Show!
Some Websites Posts its a Prequel Of harry potter movie series but its only a stage show playing next year!
Play Details: Based on an original, new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, a new play by Jack Thorne will receive its world premiere in London's West End in the summer of 2016 at the Palace Theatre.
Produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender’s Playground Entertainment and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, will be directed by John Tiffany with movement by Steven Hoggett, set designs by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, lighting by Neil Austin, music by Imogen Heap, sound by Gareth Fry and special effects by Jeremy Chernick.
If you look at Lily and James you notice they are very similar to Harry and Ginny.
Looks
Ginny has red hair and brown eyes. Harry has dark hair and green eyes. Switch them around... you get James and Lily! Lily has RED hair and GREEN eyes. James has DARK hair and BROWN eyes.
"I never really gave up on you"
Ginny had a crush on Harry. And James had a crush on Lily (mentioned by Snape, he did ask her out).
Both Lily and Harry showed no interest, but at some stage they fell for them.
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Apart from that there is nothing that shows they're very similar.
Looks
Ginny has red hair and brown eyes. Harry has dark hair and green eyes. Switch them around... you get James and Lily! Lily has RED hair and GREEN eyes. James has DARK hair and BROWN eyes.
"I never really gave up on you"
Ginny had a crush on Harry. And James had a crush on Lily (mentioned by Snape, he did ask her out).
Both Lily and Harry showed no interest, but at some stage they fell for them.
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Apart from that there is nothing that shows they're very similar.