This is always one of the most difficult questions for me. I feel that we are not given nearly enough information about the houses, except maybe Gryffindor, to say. As the HP books are written through Harry's point of view, our glimpse into the house system is tainted by Harry's own thoughts and opinions. That being said, on to a real answer in alphabetical order.
Gryffindor - Bravery, chivalry, and fool-hardyness. Gryffindor students have got heart, they stand by their own. It would seem as though they typically choose to fight the good fight. I would also say that Gryffindor is where the class clowns hail from, they like to have a good time. I want to say that they have a bit of an elite attitude, they always win. But, I'm not sure that's actually the case because prior to Harry's arrival the lions hadn't won the house cup or the quidditch cup in several years. In short, Gryffindors care deeply for their friends and any cause they choose to take up, so I would say the key trait of this house is passion.
Hufflepuff - Loyal, hard-working, social and accepting. The first thing that we learn about Hufflepuff House is that Helga said she would take the rest. This leads one to assume that if you do not fit into one of the other houses you go to Hufflepuff by default. I believe this to be false. The badgers have several of their own evident qualities. The are fiercely loyal and quick to judge but also quick to forgive and forget. Unlike the Gryffindors who choose whom and what they will be loyal to and oppose all others, Hufflepuffs are loyal to those things that are assigned to them as well. They don't rebel as much and seem more likely to be rule followers. I believe that Helgas statement about taking the rest was one more of acceptance. I believe, she felt that there should be few qualifiers for her house because everyone deserves an equal chance at the starting line as well as a commitment to diversity. Hufflepuffs know that it takes many kinds of people for things to work well.
Ravenclaw - Intellect, cleverness, and solidarity. Ravenclaw students value wit and learning above all else. They are so busy with these endeavors however that most other matters slip their minds. Both Rowena and her daughter seem to have died of broken hearts, I believe this says something about how difficult it can be to love a Ravenclaw as well as how fiercely they can love. They're not the most social people, and can find it difficult to understand human emotions because they long to know everything they can about things and emotions are tricky things. Ravenclaws march to the beat of their own drums, individually. Each has his/her own interest and appears to care little about what others thing of this, they live for themselves and learning above all else.
Slytherin - Cunning, determination, resourcefulness, and a disregard for rules. Slytherins were hand-picked as the pure-bloods, the students that would use any means to achieve their goals. This is the house I am most unsure about, because we see so much hatred directed at them throughout the books. I think that there is a very good chance at least a few Slytherins would have stood to fight at Hogwarts, and was sadly disappointed when none did. The fact the Harry nearly got placed in this house shows more than anything else we are given as a reference I believe. Slytherins don't all just throw away every rule, they simply know well how to play the game. They know how to work people better than any of the other students and can be very manipulative as a result. Slytherin loyalties rarely lie with anyone other than themselves, and they are quick to judge others.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2007-08-29 10:49 am (UTC)Gryffindor - Bravery, chivalry, and fool-hardyness.
Gryffindor students have got heart, they stand by their own. It would seem as though they typically choose to fight the good fight. I would also say that Gryffindor is where the class clowns hail from, they like to have a good time. I want to say that they have a bit of an elite attitude, they always win. But, I'm not sure that's actually the case because prior to Harry's arrival the lions hadn't won the house cup or the quidditch cup in several years. In short, Gryffindors care deeply for their friends and any cause they choose to take up, so I would say the key trait of this house is passion.
Hufflepuff - Loyal, hard-working, social and accepting.
The first thing that we learn about Hufflepuff House is that Helga said she would take the rest. This leads one to assume that if you do not fit into one of the other houses you go to Hufflepuff by default. I believe this to be false. The badgers have several of their own evident qualities. The are fiercely loyal and quick to judge but also quick to forgive and forget. Unlike the Gryffindors who choose whom and what they will be loyal to and oppose all others, Hufflepuffs are loyal to those things that are assigned to them as well. They don't rebel as much and seem more likely to be rule followers. I believe that Helgas statement about taking the rest was one more of acceptance. I believe, she felt that there should be few qualifiers for her house because everyone deserves an equal chance at the starting line as well as a commitment to diversity. Hufflepuffs know that it takes many kinds of people for things to work well.
Ravenclaw - Intellect, cleverness, and solidarity.
Ravenclaw students value wit and learning above all else. They are so busy with these endeavors however that most other matters slip their minds. Both Rowena and her daughter seem to have died of broken hearts, I believe this says something about how difficult it can be to love a Ravenclaw as well as how fiercely they can love. They're not the most social people, and can find it difficult to understand human emotions because they long to know everything they can about things and emotions are tricky things. Ravenclaws march to the beat of their own drums, individually. Each has his/her own interest and appears to care little about what others thing of this, they live for themselves and learning above all else.
Slytherin - Cunning, determination, resourcefulness, and a disregard for rules.
Slytherins were hand-picked as the pure-bloods, the students that would use any means to achieve their goals. This is the house I am most unsure about, because we see so much hatred directed at them throughout the books. I think that there is a very good chance at least a few Slytherins would have stood to fight at Hogwarts, and was sadly disappointed when none did. The fact the Harry nearly got placed in this house shows more than anything else we are given as a reference I believe. Slytherins don't all just throw away every rule, they simply know well how to play the game. They know how to work people better than any of the other students and can be very manipulative as a result. Slytherin loyalties rarely lie with anyone other than themselves, and they are quick to judge others.