Harry Potter: the choices we make are defining our true self
by melodyhall

During the Harry Potter series, every choice made by major/minor characters alike play a huge role in the storyline. At their respective times, through seemingly insignificant intricacies––especially under the bombardment of journeying the Wizarding World––J.K. Rowling displays how choices that are presented with limited information combined with his persona altered the decision Harry Potter made during the Sorting Hat scene. It is with those influences that illuminated the true nature of his character.

Halfway into chapter seven of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, eleven-year-old Harry is seated on a stool with the Sorting Hat mulls over where Potter should spend his future at Hogwarts: "Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes — and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting." (Rowling, p. 121)
By that point in the novel, Hagrid had warned Harry, "No wizard that ever went bad wasn't a Slytherin." (Rowling, p. 80) And Draco Malfoy's less than polite first impression through taunting Ron Weasley––Harry's first companion––concluded his introduction with, "You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." (Rowling, p. 108) The book leaves the reader with no questions as to Harry's position. "Perhaps it was Harry's imagination, after all he'd heard about Slytherin, but he thought they looked like an unpleasant lot." (Rowling, p. 119)

Harry's entire dubiousness toward Slytherin highlights his fear of the unknown. Harry is solely aware that Slytherin has a reputation for producing wizards with intent to abuse their power and/or others. For example, Voldemort, the dark wizard that had murdered his parents, belonged to the serpent house. However, had Harry been a Slytherin at the core, he would have digested the Hat's suggestions and disregarded Draco and Hagrid's words. Maybe he would have assuaged himself, "My morals are strong, and I will not let myself become power hungry if it hurts others in the process. Therefore, if Slytherin will draw out my potential, then I can endure Draco Malfoy and his mates as well." The quality portrayed is tolerance in an unfavorable environment because it proves beneficial, hence the cold logic and cunning nature of Slytherins.
However, his choice to implore, "Please, please. Anything but Slytherin" (Rowling, p. 121) was not just him choosing a house, it was an expression of himself. A visceral character at heart, Harry was someone who allowed prior information to cloud his judgement and let his emotions reign.

Had Harry's response toward the hat's initial inquiry, "So where shall I put you" was to consider, "I want to make my mark, influence the world with my power, so Slytherin would be helpful even though Draco's also there. On the other hand, Ron is in Gryffindor and he's a really nice chap, I'd like to invest in that friendship" then he would have suited Ravenclaw. Those comprising the blue and bronze House favored the witty and scholars who select rational choices after considering all of the options by utilization of reason and logic. While Harry possessed the intelligence and keenness, his choice to employ his gut instinct instead of weighing his options ultimately ruled out that House.

Gryffindor qualities embraced the courageous, daring, and audacious that could lean reckless if untamed. Although the Sorting Hat inclined the green House, Harry was equally Gryffindor as he was Slytherin. Standing up to the Dursleys' abuse, adventuring into a new world, and challenging the Sorting Hat, Harry emulates bravery. However, before passively permitting the Hat to elect, he specifically requested, "Not Slytherin." (Rowling, p. 121) While the Hat sensed Harry's talents could grow if nurtured by Slytherin, it appreciated Harry's desire, prompting, "You could be great, you know, it's all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that." (Rowling, p. 129)

The existence of all living creatures are the choices they make. Decisions and their consequences compose every minute of every day. How choices are selected makes individuals special, inserts a bar of distinction that over time determines identity. Life is a series of choices and bearing those results, whether felt immediately or not, is shaped by the choices taken in the present. Harry faced the possibility of entering one of three houses (the Sorting Hat previously eliminated Hufflepuff) in which he possesses personality traits embodied by each. However, with Hagrid's reveal of infamous wizards, furthered by Draco entering Slytherin, Harry's reliance on emotions and intuition to see him through, and boldness to negotiate what he thought was right, the Hat settled Harry into Gryffindor.

If the Sorting Hat had assigned you a different House than the one you wanted/expected, what would had been your reaction?

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