HARRY POTTER và NHỮNG sự lựa CHỌN có ý NGHĨA lớn

ABSTRACT
Written by British author J.K. Rowling, the Harry Potter series has become
such a global publishing success and captures the interest of millions of readers
from children to adults. With its widespread popularity and international appeal, the
Harry Potter series undoubtedly deserves to be a significant subject for researchers
and scholars to investigate. As one of the first studies in Vietnam on the Harry
Potter series, this thesis under the title “Harry Potter and his valuable choices”
tackles the theme “choice” by analyzing the choices of the main character Harry
Potter as well as their illustrated values. First, an overview of the literature theories
and the Harry Potter series is provided as the background for the study. Then, an
in-depth analysis of the four most critical choices of Harry Potter is presented to
discover their reflected values and worthy lessons. Finally, the researcher’s
suggestions for further studies are offered, together with the limitation of the paper.
Hopefully the findings from this thesis could provoke more interests in researching
this phenomenal series and provide the foundation for future related studies.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i
ABSTRACT ii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS vi
PART 1: INTRODUCTION 1
1. Rationale for the study 1
2. Aims of the study 2
3. Significance of the study 2
4. Scope of the study 2
5. Methodology 3
6. Organization of the paper 3
PART 2: DEVELOPMENT 5
CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW 6
1.1. Definition and functions of literature 6

1.1.1. Definition of literature 6
1.1.2. Functions of literature 6
1.2. Literary genre: Fantasy Fiction 7
1.2.1. Definition of Fantasy Fiction 7
1.2.2. Some elements of Fantasy Fiction 8
1.2.2.1. Character and Characterization 8
ii
1.2.2.2. Plot 9
1.2.2.3. Theme 10
1.3. J.K. Rowling and the “Harry Potter” series 11
1.3.1. J.K. Rowling 11
1.3.2. Overview of the “Harry Potter” series 12
1.3.2.1. Summary 12
1.3.2.2. The theme “Choice” in “Harry Potter” series 14
CHAPTER 2: HARRY POTTER AND HIS VALUABLE CHOICES 15
2.1. Choices reveal Harry’s nature as a person with an innate goodness 16
2.1.1. The choice of being a Gryffindor 16
2.1.1.1. Context: Choosing either common good or personal gain 16
2.1.1.2. Value of the choice 17
2.1.2. The choice of saving Peter Pettigrew’s life 21
2.1.2.1. Context: Choosing either revenge or mercy 21
2.1.2.2. Value of the choice 21
2.2. Choices help Harry grow and mature: The choice of rescuing Sirius Black in
the Ministry of Magic 25
2.2.1. Context: Acting on intuition or reason 25
2.2.2. Value of the choice 26
2.3. Choices prove Harry’s qualities: The choice of playing “The Chosen One” role
2.3.1. Context: Accepting fate or following his will 30
2.3.2. Value of the choice 31
PART 3: CONCLUSION 37

iii
1. Conclusion 37
2. Limitation of the study 39
3. Suggestions for further studies 39
REFERENCES 41
iv
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
HP & PS Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
HP & CoS Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
HP & PoA Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
HP & GoF Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
HP & OoP Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
HP & HBP Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
HP & DH Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
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PART 1: INTRODUCTION
This initial part states the rationale for the study, together with the aims,
objectives, significance, scope and methodology of the study. Also, an overview of
the rest of the paper is provided to orientate the readers throughout the study.
1. Rationale for the study
The Harry Potter series by British writer J.K. Rowling has become such a global
phenomenon with countless honorable awards and constantly appeared on
numerous best-selling book lists. Millions of readers, from children to adults have
been enchanted by the adventures of the trio Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and
Hermione Granger in the wizarding world where anything can happen.
“Pottermania” and “Potterism”, the two words created to describe the sensational
reaction to Rowling’s Harry Potter series, are just some demonstrations showing
how much power the books hold over the minds of youth generations. Not only
captivating the readers, the Harry Potter series also gains strong interests by
numerous literary critics and researchers. British scholar Hunt (2001) emphasizes

the importance of thoroughly studying novels read by the greatest number of
children as these literary works are highly influential in readers’ consciousness.
With such popularity and influence, the Harry Potter series deserves to be an
important subject for researchers, scholars to examine.
Perhaps one of the reasons why the Harry Potter series can capture the hearts of
such a large number of readers is that they can relate to the characters and see
themselves in the books, even though Harry Potter’s magic world is fictional. The
characters, just like ordinary people, all experience situations in which they have to
make choices that will forever change the rest of their lives. Those choices
sometimes can be really tough to make, but by making them, a person might be
able to learn his/ her personal values and create their true identity. It would not be
unreasonable to say that the Harry Potter series can assist readers in making their
1
own choices in life and learning more about themselves. Having a high personal
interest in the Harry Potter series as well as being inspired by its theme of
“choice”, the researcher decided to develop a study on “Harry Potter and his
valuable choices” to provide an in-depth understanding of the relation between
choices, values and identity conveyed throughout the series. Also, the researcher
hopes that this thesis would be a useful source of reference for further studies on
related topics.
2. Aims of the study
This thesis aims to tackle “choice”, a key theme in the Harry Potter series, through
analyzing the main character Harry Potter’s choices and the values they bring to
him. To be more specific, the main objectives of this thesis are as follows:
1. To provide an in-depth analysis of some major choices Harry
Potter makes throughout the Harry Potter series.
2. To discover the values demonstrated through those choices.
3. Significance of the study
As this thesis might probably be among the first studies in Vietnam on the Harry
Potter series in general and specifically on the books’ theme of “choice”, hopefully

it would provoke Vietnamese readers’ interests in investigating this highly-worth
researching issue. Moreover, the thesis could also provide the foundation for future
related studies.
4. Scope of the study
The theme of “choice” in the Harry Potter series is illustrated through various
characters, however, this study merely focuses on the choices of the main character
Harry Potter. Furthermore, this paper attempts to exploit not all but only several
major choices made by Harry Potter which are most crucial and valuable to his
moral as well as identity development.
2
5. Methodology
As this is a literary study which deals with a literary work, qualitative approach is
applied as the main research methodology. Generally, qualitative research could be
defined as “any kind of research that produces findings not arrived at by means of
statistical procedures or other means of quantification" (Strauss & Corbin, 1990).
Myers (2002) emphasized one major advantage of qualitative approach was “the
richness and depth of explorations and descriptions".
The procedures for carrying out the study can be divided into two phases:
• Phase 1: Preparing materials for the study. Copies of seven Harry Potter
books were collected for examining. Then the researcher searched for
reference materials related to the thesis topic and chose the most useful
information for further analysis.
• Phase 2: Synthesizing and analyzing the prepared materials. The
researcher thoroughly investigated the Harry Potter series to find out the
major choices made by the main character Harry Potter. These choices
were then analyzed to discover their values and how they are beneficial
to the moral and identity development of Harry Potter.
6. Organization of the paper
This graduation paper consists of three parts:
Part 1 (Introduction) provides an overview of the study including the

rationale, aims and objectives, significance, scope, methodology and organization
of the paper.
Part 2 (Development) consists of two chapters:
• Chapter 1 (Literature review) provides the literature theory as a
background for the study by presenting the definition, functions and
several elements of literature as well as the literary genre Fantasy
3
Fiction. A brief introduction of the author J.K. Rowling and the “Harry
Potter” series is also offered for better understanding of the study.
• Chapter 2 (Harry Potter and his valuable choices) is designed to
investigate the four most critical choices of the character Harry Potter,
from which a number of values and worthy lessons can be drawn out.
Part 3 (Conclusion) concisely summarizes the major points of the study,
points out the limitation and suggestions for further studies.
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PART 2: DEVELOPMENT
The second part, which is the main part of the study, consists of two chapters. The
first chapter entitled Literature Review provides the background for the study by
presenting several literary concepts and introducing British author J.K. Rowling
and the Harry Potter series. The second chapter Harry Potter and his valuable
choices offers a thorough discussion on the four most crucial choices of Harry
Potter and their illustrated values.
5
CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW
The first chapter takes a look at the literature theory, which lays the
foundation for the whole paper. Specifically, the definition and functions of
literature as well as the definition and several elements of the literary genre
Fantasy Fiction are presented. Furthermore, the introduction of J.K. Rowling and
the “Harry Potter” series is provided for better understanding of the study.
1.1. Definition and functions of literature

1.1.1. Definition of literature
There have been a variety of definitions of the term “literature”. The Oxford
Dictionaries (2012) defines “literature” as “written works, especially those
considered of superior or lasting artistic merit”. According to Wijaya (2012),
literature can be defined as “an expression of human feelings, thoughts, and ideas
whose medium is language, oral and written”. McFadden (1978, p.49) referred to
“literature” as “a canon which consists of those works in language by which a
community defines itself through the course of its history. It includes works
primarily artistic and also those whose aesthetic qualities are only secondary.”.
Although the definitions of “literature” may vary, its fundamental essence to the
humankind is undeniable.
1.1.2. Functions of literature
Literature serves a number of vital functions, among which the four most
basic functions are as follows:
• Perceptional function: One important function of literature is to heighten
the reader’s awareness of certain aspects of life. Nodelman (1996, p.21)
suggested that “literature not only mirrors life but comments on it and
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makes us consider the meaning of our own existence”. Dibella &
Hamston (1989) emphasized that “by reading literature the reader can
reach a better understanding of themselves, those around them and the
society they live in”.
• Entertainment function: Literature has the function of entertaining and
giving pleasure to the reader. According to Nodelman (1996, p.20),
literature can bring the pleasure of “escape”, which can help readers step
outside of themselves at least imaginatively and experience the lives and
thoughts of different people.
• Educational function: One of the greatest functions of literature is
education. Welbourne (2005, p.1) stated that literature can be “a bridge
to one’s culture and tradition that deal with values, beliefs and practices

about ultimate questions, rather than a set of propositions”. Hillel &
Holmes (1995, p.2) felt that literature can provide readers with “an
opportunity to fully explore concepts and issues so that not only the
meaning of a text is enhanced but their sense of the world is enriched”.
Pullman (1996, para.7) believed that literature can “teach the morality we
live by. They teach it much more effectively than moral precepts and
instructions.”.
1.2. Literary genre: Fantasy Fiction
1.2.1. Definition of Fantasy Fiction
According to Williams (2010, para 1), fiction is defined as “narrative literary works
whose content is produced by the imagination and is not necessarily based on fact”.
Fantasy fiction can refer to “any book that contains unrealistic settings, or magic,
often set in a medieval universe, or possibly involving mythical beings or
supernatural forms as a primary element of the plot, theme, or setting” (Bennett,
2009, para. 2).
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1.2.2. Some elements of Fantasy Fiction
1.2.2.1. Character and Characterization
“Character” as defined in the Oxford Dictionaries (2011) can refer to “the mental
and moral qualities distinctive to an individual” or “a person in a novel, play, or
film, etc.”. The definition of “character” in literary is explained by Peck & Coyle
(1986) as follows:
Characters in literary work are not like real life people for they have been specially
created by authors. When authors create character, they select some aspect of
ordinary people, develop some of those aspects whilst playing down other and put
them together as they please, the result is not an ordinary person but a fictional
character who only exists in the words of literary works.
In fictional literature, the writers can use different types of characters to develop
their stories. Lalwani (2011) listed out seven types of literary characters based on
personalities:

• Flat character: Embodies one or two qualities, ideas, or traits that can be
described in a brief summary and does not undergo major change or
growth throughout the story. This type of character does not show much
psychological complexity and is easily accessible to the readers.
• Round character: Has a more complex personality than a flat character
and often displays inconsistencies and internal conflicts found in most
real people. A round character is well-developed throughout the story.
• Static character: A static character's personality mainly stays the same
throughout the piece of work and the readers’ knowledge of this
character does not grow.
• Dynamic character: Undergoes certain changes, usually due to the
results of various plot events.
• Confidant: Someone who the central character confides in, thus revealing
the main character’s personality, thoughts and intentions.
• Foil: A character that is used to enhance another character through
contrast.
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• Stock character: Easily identified as this character represents
stereotypical personality traits which may root from culture, appearance,
or situations.
Characterization can generally refer to the description and development of
characters. According to Ervin (n.d.), characterization can be divided into two
categories: direct characterization and indirect characterization. In direct
characterization, the writer directly tells the readers what the personality of the
character is. Meanwhile, in indirect characterization, the writer shows things that
reveal the character’s personality. Hughes (2011) mentions five methods of indirect
characterization:
• Speech – What does the character say? How does the character say it?
• Thoughts – What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and
feelings?

• Effects on others – What is revealed through the character’s effects on
other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the
character?
• Actions – What does the character do? How does the character behave?
• Looks – What does the character look like? How does the character
dress?
1.2.2.2. Plot
In their book “A dictionary of literary terms and literary theory”, Cuddon &
Preston (1998) defined “plot” as:
The plan, design, scheme or pattern of events in a play, poem or work of fiction;
and, further, the organization of incident and character in such a way as to induce
curiosity and suspense in the spectator or reader.
A plot traditionally encompasses five sequential levels: exposition, rising action,
climax, falling action and resolution (Sky & McIlvain, 2004).
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• Exposition is the beginning of the story where the author introduces
the setting, characters, and other important information the readers needs to
know.
• Rising action is the series of events, conflicts and crisis in the story
that lead to the climax.
• Climax is the highest point of tension or action in the story where the
main character faces a crisis and must make a crucial decision that will affect
the outcome of the story.
• Falling action is the sequence of events that immediately follow the
climax and lead to the end of the story.
• Resolution is the event in a story that resolves the conflict; the final
outcome.
Rand (n.d.) emphasizes the importance of plot in a literary work, comparing the
function of the plot of a novel with “the steel skeleton of a skyscraper”, which
“determines the use, placement and distribution of all the other elements”. Matters

such as the number of characters, background, descriptions, conversations, etc.
must be determined by what the plot can carry, must be integrated with the events
and contribute to the progression of the story. Mercer (2004) also highlights the
essence of plot as “not every plot has a great story, but every great story has a plot”.
A plot is like a plan which “the character follows toward an anticipated resolution”
and “the writer follows to relate the character's journey to readers”.
1.2.2.3. Theme
“Theme” can be defined as “the base topic or focus that acts as a foundation for the
entire literary piece” (Literary Devices, 2010) or “a common thread or repeated
idea that is incorporated throughout a literary work” (All American: Glossary of
Literary Terms, n.d.). All of the elements of literary terms contribute to theme. A
literary work can have more than one theme. A simple theme can often be stated in
a single sentence, whereas more complex themes must be developed throughout a
work. A major theme should run throughout a work of literature while a minor
10
theme might be reserved for a section of a work (Literary Terms, n.d.). “Universal
themes” are the themes that are commonly found in the literature of all cultures.
1.3. J.K. Rowling and the “Harry Potter” series
1.3.1. J.K. Rowling
According to J.K. Rowling Official Site (2011), Joanne Kathleen Rowling
was born on July 31
st
1965 in Yate, Gloucestershire, England. From an early age,
J.K. Rowling had an ambition to be a writer. As a child, Rowling often wrote
fantasy stories, which she would usually then read to her sister. The first story
Rowling ever wrote was “Rabbit” when she was six years old. After finishing
school, Rowling studied at Exeter University where she earned a French and
Classics degree, her course including one year in Paris. As a postgraduate she
moved to London and took various jobs. Rowling then moved to northern Portugal,
where she taught English as a foreign language. She married in October 1992 and

gave birth to a daughter in 1993. When the marriage ended, Rowling returned to
the UK to live in Edinburgh.
J.K. Rowling started writing the Harry Potter series during a delayed
Manchester to London King’s Cross train journey in 1990, and during the next five
years, outlined the plots for each book and began writing the first novel. After a
number of rejections, she finally sold the book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's
Stone which was first published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books in June 1997.
The book was an instant success not only among children but also adults. For
Rowling, there was no looking back and she published a series of seven Harry
Potter books from 1997 to 2007. The Harry Potter books have gained worldwide
attention, won multiple awards, sold more than 450 million copies to become the
best-selling book series in history. Rowling has been accredited by many
prestigious awards and also praised for generating an interest in reading among
young people at a time when they were discarding this valuable hobby.
1.3.2. Overview of the “Harry Potter” series
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“Harry Potter”, written by British author J. K. Rowling, is a series of seven fantasy
novels, namely “Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone” (published in 1997),
“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” (published in 1998), “Harry Potter and
the Prisoner of Azkaban” (1999), “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” (2000),
“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” (2003), “Harry Potter and the Half-
Blood Prince” (2005) and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” (2007). The
best-selling series has been a phenomenal publishing success with more than 450
million copies sold worldwide, distributed in over 200 territories and translated into
69 languages according to J. K. Rowling Official Site (2011).
1.3.2.1. Summary
The Harry Potter series revolves around the adventures of Harry Potter - a wizard
and his two best friends Ron and Hermione, who are students at Hogwarts School
of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main storyline follows Harry Potter on his quest
against the evil dark wizard Lord Voldemort, whose aim is conquering the

wizarding world.
Harry discovers he is a wizard on his 11
th
birthday when a giant named Hagrid
comes to take him to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. At Hogwarts,
Harry is sorted into Gryffindor house, becomes best friends with Ron Weasley and
Hermione Granger. Harry’s first year at Hogwarts marks his second confrontation
with Lord Voldemort as he manages to prevent Voldemort from stealing the
Philosopher’s Stone, a substance with immortality power.
In his second year at Hogwarts, Harry and his friends discovers the school’s
mystery of the Chamber of Secrets. He again encounters Voldemort attempting to
regain power through his school-day diary. Harry defeats the basilisk– the giant
snake monster in the Chamber and stabs the diary with the snake’s fang, destroying
Voldemort and saving Ginny – Ron’s sister.
In the third novel, Harry discovers he has a Godfather: Sirius Black, an escaped
murderer believed to have been involved in the deaths of Harry’s parents but turned
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out to be innocent. Harry also learns that his father, Remus Lupin – a Defence
Against the Dark Arts professor, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew, who betrayed
his parents, were best friends back in their school days.
During Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts, Harry is unwillingly entered in a
dangerous magical competition called the Triwizard Tournament. At the conclusion
of the Tournament, Harry witnesses the return of Lord Voldemort to full strength.
In the next novel, an important prophecy concerning Harry and Voldemort is
revealed and Harry discovers that he and Voldemort have a painful connection,
allowing Harry to view some of Voldemort's actions. Harry and his friends face off
against Voldemort's Death Eaters and are saved by the members of the Order of the
Phoenix but Sirius Black is killed in the conflict.
In Harry’s sixth year of school, Harry gains the knowledge that Voldemort created
seven Horcruxes (objects in which a person has concealed parts of their soul),

which must be all destroyed in order to fully eliminate Voldemort. When Harry and
Dumbledore – Hogwarts’ principal – return from a mission to find a Horcrux,
Dumbledore is murdered by professor Snape – the “Half-Blood prince”.
In the last novel, Harry, Ron and Hermione drop out of school to find and destroy
the remaining Horcruxes of Voldemort. They manage to destroy another Horcrux
and learn about a mysterious trio of magical objects called the Deathly Hallows.
Whoever possesses the three objects will be a master of death, and to Harry, it is his
only chance to beat Voldemort. Harry finds out he is actually one of Voldemort’s
Horcrux, so he decides to sacrifice himself to completely destroy the Dark Lord.
But as a true master of the Deathly Hallows, Harry returns from the dead, finally
faces Voldemort and eliminates him. The wizarding world is able to live in peace
once more.
1.3.2.2. The theme “Choice” in “Harry Potter” series
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The word “choice” is defined as “an act of choosing between two or more
possibilities” (Oxford Dictionaries, 2011). In the Harry Potter series, choice is
considered a major theme. Gladstein (2004) stated that “Rowling creates a world
where what is and should be important is the “content of one’s character” and the
choices one makes”. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (HP & CoS),
there is a statement made by the character Dumbledore that: “It is our choices,
Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities” (HP & CoS, p.
245). Many critics see this as a key statement throughout the series (Cherrett, 2003,
Bridger, 2001, Houghton, 2001, Beck, 2001). Granger (2002) believes that who
Harry Potter truly is is defined by the choices he makes. According to him, “Harry
makes two types of choices in every book – about what sort of person he is and
what to do in a crisis – and he chooses ‘what is right’ over ‘what is easy’ every
time”. Lennard (2007) argues that based on the choices Harry Potter and other
characters in the series make, readers can judge what sort of person they are as well
as the values they reflect, which include courage, kindness, selflessness, modesty,
etc.

In this chapter, the researcher has provided the background for the study by
presenting the definition, functions and several elements of literature as well as the
literary genre Fantasy Fiction. An overview of the author J.K. Rowling as well as
the summary and the key theme “Choice” of the “Harry Potter” series, which is
essential for the understanding of the following chapters, is also presented.
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CHAPTER 2: HARRY POTTER AND
HIS VALUABLE CHOICES
The Harry Potter series centers around Harry Potter – the boy wizard who
struggles throughout his life. On his life journey as a wizard, Harry, just like any
human being, needs to make a number of choices. Those choices are highly crucial
and worthy not only because they play the decisive role in building Harry’s self
identity but also from such choices, Harry discovers a variety of values and lessons
that are beneficial to his maturation. Making the right choices is not always easy as
the older Harry grows, the harder the challenges he has to face and sometimes it
even causes loss and suffering. Nevertheless, over the course of seven books,
Harry’s choices reflect his personal values, morality and well demonstrate himself
as a true hero.
In this chapter, an in-depth analysis of Harry Potter’s four most critical and
valuable choices in the series is provided. The discussion on each choice is clearly
presented by the context and the value of the choice. To be more specific, the
organization of the rest of this chapter is as follows:
• Section 1: Choices reveal Harry’s nature as a person with an innate
goodness discusses two choices: the choice of being a Gryffindor and the
choice of saving Peter Pettigrew’s life.
• Section 2: Choices help Harry grow and mature: The choice of rescuing
Sirius Black in the Ministry of Magic. This section analyzes an unwise
choice of Harry leading to costly consequences and how it helps him
grows stronger, wiser.
• Section 3: Choices prove Harry’s qualities: The choice of playing “The

Chosen One” role. This section presents Harry’s most important choice,
15
from which Harry understands the power of free choice, love and
conquering death.
2.1. Choices reveal Harry’s nature as a person with an innate goodness
“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities”
(HP & CoS, p.333). Those words of wisdom from Albus Dumbledore to Harry
Potter highlights the power of making choices in reflecting one’s qualities and
making one different from others. In his first three years as a student at Hogwarts,
Harry makes two crucial choices that reveal his nature as a person with an innate
goodness: being a Gryffindor and saving Peter Pettigrew’s life. Sometimes it is
easy for him to follow his innate pure nature to make the right choices; sometimes
he must fight against his dark side for the sake of the greater good. Nonetheless,
through these two choices, Harry is able to develop his individuality as one with a
strong conscience of right and wrong who always elevates good over evil.
2.1.1. The choice of being a Gryffindor
This section provides an insight into Harry Potter’s first major choice that
navigates the direction of his future as a wizard: choosing which house of
Hogwarts he should belong to, from which Harry comes to terms with his identity
as a Gryffindor and learns the value of making choices.
2.1.1.1. Context: Choosing either common good or personal gain
In the first book HP & PS, after arriving at Hogwarts, Harry soon realizes that all
students are sorted into four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and
Slytherin. The sorting is done by the Sorting Hat, which is placed on every first-
year student's head, then announces its choice aloud and the student joins the
selected house. The Sorting Hat bases on the students’ personalities, traits to sort
them into their appropriate house:
“You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
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Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.”
(HP & PS, p.118)
In the case of Harry Potter, the Sorting Hat has a difficult time placing Harry as he
seems to fit both Gryffindor and Slytherin: “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… So where shall I put you?”
(HP & PS, p.121). It almost places Harry into Slytherin; however, after Harry
requests emphatically by saying in his mind “not Slytherin”, it sorts Harry into
Gryffindor:
“Not Slytherin, eh?” said the small voice. “Are you sure? 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 – no? Well, if you’re sure – better be
GRYFFINDOR!” (HP & PS, p.121)
2.1.1.2. Value of the choice
This episode in the beginning of the first book HP & PS might seem to be minor,
yet it actually is one of the most crucial choices Harry Potter makes that has a
major impact on his future as a wizard. By selecting Gryffindor house rather than

Slytherin, not only does Harry demonstrate his innate goodness but also he learns
17
the power of choices in illustrating personal values and distinguishing one from the
other.
Being in a particular house of Hogwarts, a student must possess or represent the
qualities of his/ her house. Thus, by choosing to be a Gryffindor rather than a
Slytherin, Harry chooses to adopt his qualities as the bravery, daring, nerve and
chivalry of Gryffindor rather than the cunning and ambition of Slytherin. He wishes
to use his abilities for the greater good rather than for personal gain, which is a
clear manifestation of his innate goodness over evil. However, in order for Harry to
be able to make this right choice that helps define his identity, he has to undergo a
gradual development in understanding what it means to be a part of a house, which
is an uneasy task for Harry as he has very little knowledge of the wizard world
when he first arrives at Hogwarts. The first time Harry ever hears about the houses
of Hogwarts is when he first meets Draco Malfoy:
“Know what House you’ll be in yet?”
“No,” said Harry, feeling more stupid by the minute.
“Well, no one really knows until they get there, do they, but I know I’ll be in
Slytherin, all our family have been – imagine being in Hufflepuff, I think I’d leave,
wouldn’t you?” (HP & PS, p.77)
Although at that moment, Harry does not understand the concept of “houses”, he
gets the first ideas (which might not be true) that family members would be in the
same house and that houses are unequal, some might be more desirable than others.
The information Harry gains from Draco makes him uncomfortable as he knows
nothing about his parents’ life at Hogwarts and invokes insecurity in him. He
assumes he would be in Hufflepuff - the undesirable house, which he says to
Hagrid when he consults him on the matter of houses right after the conversation
with Draco:
“And what are Slytherin and Hufflepuff?”
“School Houses. There’s four. Everyone says Hufflepuff are a lot o’ duffers, but –”

“I bet I’m in Hufflepuff,” said Harry gloomily.
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“Better Hufflepuff than Slytherin,” said Hagrid darkly. “There’s not a single witch
or wizard who went bad who wasn’t in Slytherin. You-Know-Who was one.” (HP
& PS, p.80)
Hagrid gives Harry a new piece of information here that is wizards who go to
Slytherin would turn out bad, just like Voldermort – the Dark Lord. From Hagrid’s
information, Harry develops a dislike for Slytherin for its bad reputation, which
later grows when Ron Weasley shares his unwillingness to be in Slytherin:
“What House are your brothers in?” asked Harry.
“Gryffindor,” said Ron. Gloom seemed to be settling on him again. “Mom and Dad
were in it, too. I don’t know what they’ll say if I’m not. I don’t suppose Ravenclaw
would be too bad, but imagine if they put me in Slytherin.”
“That’s the House Vol-, I mean, You-Know-Who was in?”
“Yeah,” said Ron. He flopped back into his seat, looking depressed. (HP & PS,
p.106)
Once again, the connection between Slytherin and Voldermort is confirmed, which
causes Harry’s decision to reject being a Slytherin. He would not want to follow
any path that could lead to the dark arts or to be like the Dark Lord who murders
his parents, even if it could make him an extremely successful wizard. Hence,
Harry demonstrates himself as a person with a strong will of being good instead of
evil, an innate goodness.
During the sorting process, while the Sorting Hat deliberates the options of where
to place Harry and Harry begs not to be put in Slytherin, it seems that Harry is not
fully aware that he is actually making a choice. It is not until the end of his second
year, in a talk between him and professor Dumbledore does he truly understands
the impact of his rejection of being placed in Slytherin. He is suggested by
Dumbledore to look upon his sorting as a result of a conscious choice:
“Yet the Sorting Hat placed you in Gryffindor. You know why that was. Think.”
“It only put me in Gryffindor,” said Harry in a defeated voice, “because I asked not

to go in Slytherin…”
“Exactly,” said Dumbledore, beaming once more. (HP & CoS, p.333)
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When the Sorting Hat describes Harry as “plenty of courage”, “not a bad mind”, “a
nice thirst to prove yourself”, it does not directly states Slytherin. Therefore, there
is a possibility that it has no intention of placing Harry in Slytherin. Yet, Harry is
unwilling to leave such an essential decision up to chance. He refuses to passively
let the Sorting Hat decide on his future path and tries to take an active role by
stating his will to not be sorted into Slytherin. That is the moment when he seizes
control over his future in the new wizard world and starts defining himself. What
Dumbledore tries to tell Harry by encouraging him to see his sorting as a choice is
that choices have the power to shape a person’s identity, to make one different from
others: “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our
abilities.” (HP & CoS, p.333). Harry’s choice of not to be a Slytherin distinguishes
him from Voldermort, regardless of the undeniably similarities between him and
the Dark Lord: “Parseltongue – resourcefulness – determination – a certain
disregard for rules” (HP & CoS, p.333). Even though the Sorting Hat can sense
Voldemort’s soul and the Slytherin’s power in Harry, it is his choice of refusing to
resemble Voldermort and avoiding any possible paths leading to the dark arts
which makes him “very different from Tom Riddle” (HP & CoS, p.333).
Understanding this worthy note, Harry no longer doubts the Sorting Hat misplaces
him in the wrong house and believes he is a true Gryffindor.
By selecting to be a Gryffindor rather than a Slytherin, Harry is able to build a
stronger sense of identity as a wizard with an innate goodness and would use his
bravery for right and justice. He also understands the value of making choices in
defining a person and deciding one’s path in life, which helps him believe more in
his choices and lays the foundation for how he confronts his later challenges.
2.1.2. The choice of saving Peter Pettigrew’s life
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