The Sociology of Harry Potter: 22 Enchanting Essays on the Wizarding World by Jenn Sims

Author:Jenn Sims
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zossima Press
Published: 2018-12-07T00:00:00+00:00

Common Traits: Houses

At Hogwarts, students are sorted into one of four Houses in their first year of attendance. A student’s House becomes a large part of his or her identity, an identity in relation (and sometimes in contrast to) the other Houses. As the Sorting Hat itself said: “Though condemned I am to split you/Still I worry that it’s wrong” (OOTP 206). The Hogwarts Houses parallel membership in boarding school, or in college dormitories, where young people share a closeness because they live in close proximity. The Sorting Hat is perhaps analogous to Muggle residential life questionnaires that attempt to develop a picture of the interests and beliefs of incoming students in order to place them with appropriate roommates. Fortunately, the Sorting Hat sees into the students’ minds, and so may have a better picture of where the student “ought to be” (SS 117).

Each House is associated with a specific trait, and this trait helps to define the thoughts and actions of the students assigned to the Houses. House traits are values: bravery (Gryffindor), intelligence and wit (Ravenclaw), hard work and loyalty (Hufflepuff) and ambition (Slytherin). These traits reflect the beliefs of the Houses’ founders. Although many students embody their traits from the time they are sorted or we meet them (Harry was clearly a brave Gryffindor, Draco an ambitious Slytherin, for example), many students “grow into” their Houses, taking their time in the adoption of the associated values. As discussed in Chapter 11, Neville Longbottom, who in his first year seemed like the least likely person to be sorted into Gryffindor due to his many fears, but by his seventh year is serving as the leader of Dumbledore’s Army at Hogwarts, is a good example of growing into one’s House. This House association parallels many group memberships that take time to grow into; conversely, they mirror clubs or societies whose missions and moral outlooks might become defining characteristics for those who join.

House membership grants Hogwarts students many advantages. Through discussion in dormitory rooms and common rooms, young people gain “insider information” through peer networks (an example of assemblages). Hermione Granger often helped her fellow Gryffindors – especially Neville Longbottom and Ron Wesley – with schoolwork. Fred and George Weasley tested their borderline ethical items on Gryffindor students, and later used the common room as a first “distribution center” for these items. In Slytherin, Draco Malfoy continually selected Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson as collaborators in his schemes (as lookouts, or carriers of false information) because of those students’ House affiliation. This House network crossed the age barrier; older students were willing to help their younger Housemates because they felt a kinship with them, as with Oliver Wood’s training of Harry in his first year and Hermione’s relationship advice to Ginny.

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