Philosopher's Stone Chapter Six

[urbanman1984]

*Harry does some reading of text books for the first time.  It is also the last time he does so with any kind of eagerness.

*Dud’s tail has got to be removed my non-magical means since Hagrid couldn’t be bothered to get rid of it.  This is another way the Dursleys are treated differently to other muggles.  Not only are they spared mind

Comments

Re: Ron and Draco

[seductivedark]

But, that's the way most kids are at eleven. I've been involved in discussions where people think that these kids make a conscious choice to be Slytherins. They point to Sirius rejecting his family's values as if this is perfectly normal for an eleven year old, particularly one who has been home-schooled and not exposed to various values.

Myself, I've come to the unsavory conclusion that this is yet another indication of Determinism in the text. Sirius was able to reject his family's teachings, not because he's smart or more liberal or whatever but, because it is his destiny.

Which removes any possibility, IMO, for judging people based on what they do. Draco can't help being a Mudblood-hating jerk because he's set up that way from day dot; James is a hero not because he acts like one (he doesn't) but because that was pre-determined. These qualities are inherent in these characters, they have no say over them, they cannot expunge them, they are not responsible for them. They have no more culpability than a fox who kills chickens - it's so deeply ingrained, embossed on their souls, even, by their Creatrix, that they can't do anything otherwise. The famous quote, after all, is that one's choices show, not determine, who we are.

Re: Ron and Draco

[oryx_leucoryx]

To be more Watsonian, Sirius thought James was cool and was surprised when James diss'ed Sirius' family's House. Knowing that as a Black he'd be Sorted among the first ones (some families actually inform their sons correctly about Hogwarts procedures) he asked James for his preference and made sure to ask exactly for that. IOW Sirius didn't make a grand moral choice, he simply preferred his cool new friend over his family (knowing James would be at Hogwarts in his year while his family wouldn't, at least not for long).

Re: Ron and Draco

[seductivedark]

Oh, yeah, from Watson's perspective that's exactly what Sirius did. Cool James v. slightly strung-out Mrs Black (I can remember her husband's name but not hers off the top of my head - Andromeda?) and there's no contest - Cool James wins. I've seen, though, where people will say that it was something within Sirius himself that made him realize instinctively that Gryffindor was the better house. The readers' perspectives are the most interesting sometimes.

Re: Ron and Draco

[jodel_from_aol]

Walburga Black. Yeah, I think Watson wins this round, hands down.

Of course I have been saying for years that Sirius had already decided that whatever his family wanted of him he would give them the opposite. And that they never figured out how to handle it.

Got him attention that would have gone to his baby brother otherwise, anyway.

Re: Ron and Draco

[oryx_leucoryx]

What was surprising to me in the glimpse we get in DH is that Sirius seemed initially offended that James objected so clearly to Slytherin House. I don't think he became that openly rebellious until he realized there was a reason to choose some other House.

Re: Ron and Draco

[jodel_from_aol]

Oh, yeah, but then there is the way James phrased it, too. Gryffindor, the home of the brave. So does that mean everyone else is a puling coward?

Plus there is also the fact that Severus had already said *he* wanted to go into Slytherin. And Let's face it. we may like him, but any other kid would peg him as a loser at first sight.