DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Dumbledore's Army Refugees
HTML https://darefugees.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: HP Miscellany
*****************************************************
#Post#: 38487--------------------------------------------------
Why was Peter Pettigrew a Gryffindor?
By: kamikaze ginny Date: December 25, 2012, 6:30 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
This has been bothering me for a while. Of all the seemingly
mis-sorted characters, Peter I just can't work out. I get why
Snape is a Slytherin, Lockhart is a Ravenclaw, and Luna is a
Ravenclaw - basically I see why these borderline characters
wound up in their respective houses but Pettigrew as Gryffindor
I do not understand. Daring, brave, chivalry? He has none of
these qualities so why did the hat place him there? His
motivations are always based on himself, shouldn't he have been
a self important Slytherin or an "all the rest" Hufflepuff?
#Post#: 38493--------------------------------------------------
Re: Why was Peter Pettigrew a Gryffindor?
By: Hermes_The_Exile Date: December 25, 2012, 9:31 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I think that the Gryffindor sorting for Pettigrew — and Neville
— was about potential and choice. The hat was basically saying,
"You have the potential to be a Gryffindor, but ultimately it
comes down to you and your choices. I'll give you the nudge, but
in the end it's on you." Neville chose to embrace his Gryffindor
potential, while Peter rejected it.
And you have to admit, what Peter did WAS pretty "daring" ...
#Post#: 38495--------------------------------------------------
Re: Why was Peter Pettigrew a Gryffindor?
By: kamikaze ginny Date: December 25, 2012, 9:41 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I suppose that theory lends itself to the "it is our choices"
speech Dumbledore gives but I always assumed the person in
question had to have some sort of qualities to land themselves
in their preferred house to begin with. Harry could have been a
Slytherin but also possessed Gryffindor qualities and ultimately
chose that path, Neville resisted Gryffindor because he assumed
he wasn't brave enough and the hat stuck him there anyway. The
only motivating factor for Peter choosing Gryffindor was that
James and Sirius had been bragging about it on the train.
But as daring as being a double agent that rats out your friends
is, he possesses so many conflicting qualities:
He's obviously not loyal so Hufflepuff is out.
He's not brave or noble so there goes Gryffindor.
He's not intelligent (although framing Sirius is kind of smart)
but I don't think that qualifies him as a Ravenclaw.
He thinks of himself before others (Slytherin) but is not a
natural leader and hides behind others which rules him out as a
Slytherin.
Is it possible he came to a hat stall because he fit into none
of the houses? I guess we just don't know that much about his
pre-SS days to determine if he was once a decent person. All we
hear is that McGonagall thought he hero worshipped James and
Sirius and used them to hide behind.
#Post#: 38498--------------------------------------------------
Re: Why was Peter Pettigrew a Gryffindor?
By: StealYellowMen Date: December 25, 2012, 10:03 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
He might have just been desperate enough for friends/popularity
that he "chose" Gryffindor after being on the train with James
and Sirius. And to be able to keep up with them throughout their
time in Hogwarts shows some daring and nerve. He could have
easily been too scared to join them.
But yeah, overall I'd think it may have been a bit of a plot
convenience. Although I do enjoy the existence of characters
that don't fit neatly into their houses.
#Post#: 38500--------------------------------------------------
Re: Why was Peter Pettigrew a Gryffindor?
By: kamikaze ginny Date: December 25, 2012, 10:37 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
He's the poster child for "character that doesn't fit neatly
into a house". I liked learning that Quirrell was a Ravenclaw;
it makes sense but was none the less surprising.
I guess my problem with Peter being a Gryffindor is that it
means ANYONE could choose ANY house regardless of their
qualities. It makes it seem like if Goyle felt like it he could
have begged for Ravenclaw even though he's an idiot. I think
there are different types of Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, etc. (eg:
Cormac is a douchey jock, Neville is the antithesis of a douchey
jock and they're both Gryffindors) but Peter doesn't fit into
any peg for a Gryffindor.
It's either a plot convenience or the hat misinterpreted Peter's
willingness to blindly follow others as daring/bravery.
Maybe we'll learn more now that POA is up on Pottermore.
#Post#: 38507--------------------------------------------------
Re: Why was Peter Pettigrew a Gryffindor?
By: Aussie50 Date: December 26, 2012, 3:10 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Hmm this is interesting, I hadn't really thought of this before.
I think I agree with Hermes, the Hat saw that he would have
potential to be a true Gryffindor in the future and this was
probably combined with his (probable) begging to be sorted into
Gryffindor, which led to it's final decision.
I'd like to read an explanation from JK Rowling, I like to
believe she has a perfect explanation for every supposed
plot-hole/plot-convenience in the series.
#Post#: 38509--------------------------------------------------
Re: Why was Peter Pettigrew a Gryffindor?
By: The Dude Date: December 26, 2012, 7:42 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I think the sorting hat isn't really that credible while sorting
people based on their personalities. In the end it also takes
into account people's choices (e.g. it wanted to put Hermione in
Raveclaw but she asked Gryyffindor). So I guess after he saw his
friends Sirius, Lupin and James getting sorted into Gryffindor,
Wormtail too might have asked the hat for the same.
As for daring and bravery, the whole act of killing 12 muggles,
staying as a rat for 12 years, going to find Voldemort and
resurrecting him required balls.
#Post#: 38516--------------------------------------------------
Re: Why was Peter Pettigrew a Gryffindor?
By: kamikaze ginny Date: December 26, 2012, 11:15 am
---------------------------------------------------------
He chose to be a rat for 12 years because he was a coward.
Fair points though, he definitely wasn't as stupid as others
perceived him to be, that counts for something.
So, I searched teh internetz last night and this is what I've
found:
- The hat obviously accounts for a person's choice (eg: Harry),
but won't blindly place someone just based on that (eg: Neville
requested to be placed in Hufflepuff but was ultimately sent to
Gryffindor because the hat saw his potential)
- Whether genetics are 100% involved in sorting or the person in
question assumes they have to be in their family's house, most
family members are sorted similarly
- The hat takes into account which traits a person admires not
just which traits the possess (eg: Hermione admires friendship
and bravery over books and cleverness)
The latter would account for why Pettigrew was a Gryffindor. At
the time he was sorted he admired Sirius and James who actually
were true Gryffindors.
*****************************************************