Why is the Sorting Ceremony so important on Pottermore?

     So I have been on Pottermore for about 2 weeks now and it has been somewhat of an emotional experience.  It has been emotional because of the sorting ceremony.  You see, I have always fancied myself a Ravenclaw. I thought, “Hey, I’m smart and nerdy, so clearly that is the house I belong in.” I even have a full Ravenclaw uniform.  But in a shocking turn of events I was sorted into…….HUFFLEPUFF??? Me? The house that never has any glory? The house that no one wants to be sorted into because everyone knows that Hufflepuffs are just a “bunch of duffers?” I was so upset that I immediately logged off of Pottermore and went and did something else.  I was disgusted! How dare that sorting hat put me into Hufflepuff. Also I hate yellow!

     But eventually I came to embrace being a Hufflepuff.  I read more about the house and I realized that maybe I really have been a Hufflepuff all along.  This is the least boastful house, so you don’t really hear about how talented the members are.  That makes sense for me because I’m not the boastful type. It’s almost hard for me to talk about anything I may be good at.  This house is also known for being cheerful, hardworking, and believes strongly in fair play.  I would say that those qualities fit me very well.  So, in the end, I realized that not only was Hufflepuff not a bad house to be in, it’s the house that seems to suit me the best. 

     I'm not the only one who had a strong reaction to finding out what house they were sorted into.  It seems that people are taking the sorting results very seriously (since this is the first J.K. Rowling approved sorting quiz) and are shocked to learn which house they actually belong in.  People are stunned because other quizzes have always placed them in Gryffindor, for example, but now they are a Ravenclaw.  Some people have even gone as far as to trade accounts so that they can be in the house they wanted.  But where is this coming from? Why is this whole sorting business such a big deal?

     I think the reason why the sorting has become a big deal is because it’s making people realize who they really are as a person, in a way.  After all, each house corresponds to a basic human trait.  You have Gryffindors who are brave, Slytherinswho are cunning, Ravenclaws who are wise, and Hufflepuffs who are loyal.  So when you find out that in reality you are more cunning than loyal, or more wise than brave, it can be a bit heartbreaking.  These books have been out for over 10 years and in that time, fans have all speculated about which house they would be sorted into if the Sorting Hat was real.  They have come to identify with a house for many different reasons.  Maybe their favorite character belonged in that house. Maybe they identified with what that house represented. Maybe they felt that that house was the best one to be in. 

     But then you find out no, you’re not a Slytherin, you’re a Hufflepuff. You’re not a Gryffindor, you’re a Ravenclaw.  That can be very upsetting to find out that basically you are not the person you thought you were.  For me, I always prided myself on my intelligence.  I always did well in school for the most part and I like to learn.  I thought of course I’m a Ravenclaw.  But when I was sorted into Hufflepuff, it was, for me, a big blow to the ego.  I thought, am I not as smart as I thought I was? Luckily my good friend, SilverNettle, talked some sense into me by saying that the quiz was not an IQ test. It’s more of a personality test. So of course I’m still an intelligent person. But, I’m also hardworking and loyal.  Those are not bad qualities to have so I should get over it. And I did. Now I’m a proud Hufflepuff, so you know what it is! Black and yellow, black and yellow, black and yellow, black and yellow!

     I think that in the end people should realize that all of the houses are good in their own ways.  They each have qualities that any person can be proud to have. Whether it’s being brave, cunning, hardworking, or wise.  Not to mention that just because you are sorted into a particular house, it does not mean that you don’t have the qualities of the other houses.  Just because you are in Ravenclaw, it does not mean that you are not also brave. Just because you are in Slytherin it does not mean that you are not also wise.  People are very complicated so most of us probably have all the qualities represented by the houses.  And really, it’s just a silly online game. We should not take these results to heart!




P.S. SilverNettle, I hope you get Gryffindor! lol