Ravenclaw
Essays by Ravenclaw students
Ravenclaws have been pegged as 'the smart ones.' Why then, is the brilliant Hermione Granger a Gryffindor? Could it be that intelligence itself is not enough to qualify as a Ravenclaw? That is indeed the case. I personally find myself impressed by how much my friends know, how smart they are, how knowledgeable--and only a few of these people are Ravenclaws. A lot of people have brains. Most people don't apply them to the extent that a true Ravenclaw does. I propose that to belong in our House, a person must have a desire to learn and possess intellectual curiosity.
Let me say a few words, first, about sorting in general. In truth, being a Ravenclaw has less to do with whether or not someone is smart, than whether or not a scholarly streak is his most salient quality. I have noticed that not many can fit the whole of their personality into a single House's characteristics. Some Gryffindors, like Hermione Granger, could easily be sorted into a different House--in her case, Ravenclaw. Each person, nevertheless, belongs somewhere because the Sorting Hat considers what lies at the core of someone's being. In Hermione's case, she may have brains, yes, but deep down inside she's a fighter. The Hat saw past Neville's exterior and saw that he is capable of the best kind of bravery and nobility. While Hermione and Neville have the traits of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, respectively, the thing that makes them tick determines what House they are in.
It is so with every student at Hogwarts. Slytherins, who unfortunately get pigeonholed into the 'villain' category, are nothing of the sort; Peter Pettigrew was a Gryffindor, after all. Not all villains are Slytherins. What a Slytherin is, when it comes down to it, is ambitious. If a person's driving force is a need to be great, a need to impress, then he is a Slytherin. Certainly they are sly--but couldn't a clever Ravenclaw also be sly? What sets the Houses apart is that each student has some quality that reaches to the core of his being. It is that quality that the Sorting Hat sees, recognizes, and names.
So what of Ravenclaw? As I said, we are intelligent. But so are many. Instead of measuring soemone's IQ, one must look at how a person lives his life in order to understand what makes him tick. There are certainly people with a lust for knowledge. It doesn't matter what he likes to learn--be it dead languages (into which category I fall), automobiles, science, computers, art, music, street smarts--but it matters that he will learn it solely for the purpose of knowing. I don't study so that I can impress people. I don't volunteer for leadership positions so that I'll be in the spotlight. I do what I do because I'm curious.
At the core of every Ravenclaw is a thirst. It's not a thirst for prestige or power, nor a thirst for adventure or strength, nor a thirst for friendship and loyalty. Certainly any given member from our House may want or have these things. What we want most, however, is to learn. We may not evern think of it in these terms. A Ravenclaw can be someone with a passion--any passion will do, so long as he can wax poetic about it.
For sake of example, I have a good friend named Erin who is a typical Ravenclaw. She is a huge fan of Arthurian legend--without prompting from a teaching or anything, she has researched nearly all of the historical aspects of King Arthur. She can quote Malory from memory. Today after watching King Arthur, the new movie, she pointed out historical flaws in the battle armor. She keeps side-projects going, collects quotes from Terry Pratchett (the most recent additions are entitled "The Best of Death"), writes fanfiction, tends all her pet obsessions in her various ways. Certainly she is intelligent, but the fact that she applies this intelligence to the way she lives and spends her time is what makes her a Ravenclaw, in my opinion.
Generally, however, the stereotype does hold true. A lot of Ravenclaws are studious; a keen intellect generally means that we have intellectual hobbies like writing or reading, although this trait is shared by many people in other Houses as well. Ravenclaws are also often described as clever and witty--these are generally the results of the mode of life I described above. Anyone with the presence of mind to possess striking intellectual curiosity will generally develop wit and cleverness. I have also noticed that many consider Ravenclaws to be less social or more shy than others. This, too, I feel is a stereotype that holds a grain of truth. I feel that Ravenclaws, being intellectuals, have a tendency to be more introspective than members of the other three Houses. That these people are also shy or socially inept, however, is not necessarily true. Sure, there are a good number of us who may fit that category. I myself am quite shy and very quiet, but I don't feel that my fellow Housemates are all of the same ilk. Perhaps this is a lingering shadow of the stereotypical nerd. If one were to meet with a group of professors (not from Hogwarts--college professors), one would see that these people, who are more often than not scholarly and Ravenclaw-ish, are not withdrawn or shy in the least.
Another belief that I've seen floating about is that Ravenclaws are slightly cold. Whence this stereotype came, I do not know. I see very little truth in it. One explanation I venture to raise is that, since we are more prone to be introspective, we can at times appear aloof or cold. A friend of mine, in fact my best friend, Conrad, is Ravenclaw through-and-through (he has not read the books, but I have just about won him around to correcting this serious infraction, and he belongs in Ravenclaw whether he knows it or not). He once said this very thing to me: he regretted that at times people saw him as cold because of the natural shyness and introspective quality in his character. It is my experience that some of the more hard-core Ravenclaw types (Conrad, for example, has the makings of a philosopher--except that maybe he's not insane enough for that) are a tad quirkier than the rest of their Housemates.
Ravenclaws, as a general rule, are articulate. This is a criterion I hold for nearly all the applicants I vote into my House. It is a mark of intelligence to be able to express oneself clearly and eloquently. I don't ask for the next Thoreau, naturally, but verbal ability appears to be one of the hallmarks of the Ravenclaws. Many of us are self-proclaimed grammar nerds, and usually we wear this as a badge of honor. I am sure this is also a stereotype--being capable of intellectual babble does not necessarily make one intellectually curious, simply precocious and good with words. A Ravenclaw need not be an eloquent writer, of course. A grasp of language, though, shows that someone knows how to arrange ideas in one's mind--a further mark of wit.
On a final note, I would like to address formally a certain question that was raised in the Ravenclaw Common Room for the community HogwartsHouses. One of my Housemates asked if anyone of us felt exclusionary--if we were rather picky about whom we voted into our House. This brought up something I noted to myself a few weeks ago: I don't find too many people who seem like Ravenclaws to me. Perhaps this is the nature of the questionaire--many of the questions give a lot of room for emotionally-tied answers and aspects of one's personality. I usually notice Ravenclaws not so much by the content of their answers but by their articulate and thoughtful responses. Perhaps this is because a lot of the applications begin to sound the same after a while, and it is refreshing to read something that stands out simply for its rhetoric and style. Also, I feel that a true Ravenclaw would indeed write fully-developed answers. I take thoroughness as a personality trait that is revealed not through someone identifying it specifically in a questionaire but through the very answers themselves.
Perhaps not many people fit into Ravenclaw--there certainly seem to be more honest and loyal people (according to votes) than intellectual ones--but I feel that the vast majority of people are honest and loyal, or brave, or ambitious; these are all traits associated more with feelings and values. One values loyalty, bravery, power--this puts him in his respective House. To be a Ravenclaw, one must not only be intelligent, but one must value intelligence above all else. It is harder for this trait to come across than it is for us, the voters, to recognize dedication to friends. There is also a great deal of overlap, especially concerning Ravenclaw. It is simply not possible only to be intellectual; one must also be either brave or loyal or cunning or ambitous--and often these other traits are more visible than those of Ravenclaw House.
The human personality is so complex and layered with priorities and contradictions that at times I feel sorting is superficial or futile; how can a person be put into a neat category when there are so many facets to even the simplest person (if, indeed, there is such a thing)? True, we all recognize this, we all know about the overlaps that occur. Still I find myself thinking on occasion that Ravenclaw is the most mysterious House because we are not defined by what most people consider a 'personality trait'. I often separate the intellect from the emotions--take as evidence that many philosophers once thought it best to disregard emotion as a guide to ethics and to favor logic and intellect, whereas Martha Nussbaum, for example, pleaded just the opposite--as if they were two very distinct aspects of the human mind. One interesting and vaguely related question is this: are the four Houses of Hogwarts really the best ways to categorize the human psyche? This, however, is a useless tangent of the sort that I usually ponder sometime after midnight while online.
In conclusion, the mark of our House is having intellectual curiosity as one's most important characteristic. One's actual IQ is mostly irrelevant--being a Ravenclaw is a state of mind, not an inborn talent. Anyone who by nature gravitates toward reflection and thoughtfulness could possibly belong in our House. So when sorting a new applicant, I try to discover how that person applies himself in life, try to find out how they think. If I find a curious, analytical mind, a mind with a thirst for knowledge and learning, be it traditional books or something less obvious, I am looking at a Ravenclaw.
By sacred_tide
Ravenclaws are not easily put in one box, this mostly comes from the fact that the books are written from Harry´s point of view. Everything we see is biased, so is the view of the houses. Next to that, we simply do not get enough on Ravenclaw to form a solidly based opinion.
In the book we get two Ravenclaws, Cho Chang and Luna Lovegood. Two girls who are nothing alike. Cho is a difficult character to judge because we never get to see her as she is, just when she is grieving. We can assume though that she and Luna have few things in common. What they do seem to have in common is a drive to gain knowledge. Especially Luna, she may be a dreamer and generall odd personality, she genuinly seeks knowledge.
In Ravenclaw you can find a lot of different personalities. There are Ravenclaws with Hufflepuff, Gryffindor or Slytherin leanings. A person is not just smart, what matters is what a person does with that intelligence. In Ravenclaw knowledge is valued for what it is, not simply as a way to gain power. Knowledge is a way to improve oneself. A true Ravenclaw will never stop learning and will love learning new things every day.
In my opininion a Ravenclaw is different from the others in the aspect of emotion. A gryffindor, Hufflepuff and even a Slytherin will sooner react emotionally then a Ravenclaw. A Ravenclaw will come up with purely pragmatical solutions for a problem. Logic comes before emotion.
For a person to be sorted into our house I look for a few things. To be sorted into Ravenclaw an application should be well written in correct grammar and spelling. I feel that a Ravenclaw would make sure that they communicate in a clear and mature way. Their answers will be those that are well thought out and cleverly formed. Next to this a Ravenclaw will value intelligence and just like to know stuff.
The biggest qualities of Ravenclaw are a love for knowledge and a clever mind. Knowledge is not neccesarily booksmarts, it comes in many forms. I also would consider someone who has streetsmarts, or who has a quick mind and wit but who wants to learn for Ravenclaw. There are also some minor qualities to consider.
Ravenclaws tend to set high standards for themselves and others. They are competitive but not purely for the sake of winning. A Ravenclaw likes debating and learning the way of the world. This causes that Ravenclaw could be consider to be elitist, she sets high standards for her house members.
For a person to do well in our house I believe they should have a certain drive. A drive to be succesfull or just a drive to be happy. In Ravenclaw you can find all sorts of people with all sorts of different ambitions. To do well in our house a person should be willing to work and help out housemates, not by making things overly easy but by stimulating them.
I think the stereotype of the bookish Ravenclaw is certainly not true for everyone in the house, of course there are the bookworms but there are also people learn better in other ways. The stereotype that is true, Ravenclaws are clever. It is just the way of the house. Rowena Ravenclaw took those of wit, learning and a ready mind.
To me my house means a place where I can find like minded people but with plenty of diversity to keep it interesting. A place where everything can be discussed in a mature manner and where people know how to have fun when the time is right.
By doortje
Ravenclaw, like any other Hogwarts House, is very diverse. No two Ravenclaws are the same, and no single Ravenclaw has qualities that only pertain to the house. Often times it is the norm to have a Ravenclaw who possesses qualities from at least one, if not all, of the other houses.
Everyone knows that Ravenclaws are intelligent, but it’s not just smarts we value here. You can be intelligent and still be in Gryffindor, Slytherin, or Hufflepuff. But here in Ravenclaw, you have to show your smarts in order to be sorted here. And you must have a love of learning. There are plenty of smart people out there who have no desire to learn more about any given subject. If you are one of those people, you simply do not belong in Ravenclaw. The desire to attain knowledge is perhaps the most dominant trait of a true Ravenclaw.
More often than not, Ravenclaws are deep thinkers and tend to use reason and logic over their emotional urgings. For example, the difference between a Ravenclaw and an intelligent Gryffindor may be that a Gryffindor wouldn’t think before acting, whereas a Ravenclaw would, in most situations. A Ravenclaw would want to be friends with another person of great intelligence so that they could have deep and meaningful conversations.
There are, of course, downsides to being a Ravenclaw. Sometimes Ravenclaws can mistake their nosiness as a thirst for knowledge and truth (Curiousity killed the cat, as they say!) But not all curiousity is bad. It’s just that sometimes Ravenclaws can get into trouble because of their natural curiousity.
Another con of Ravenclaws is having a somewhat elitist state of mind. Ravenclaws can have a know-it-all attitude that often leads to a feeling of superiority over members of other houses. This is probably the worst trait of a Ravenclaw.
A somewhat minor quality of Ravenclaws (one that can be viewed as either positive or negative, depending on the situation) is perfectionism. Ravenclaws like to excel academically, and therefore perfectionism in their work is understandable. This perfectionism can sometimes lead to competitiveness and an even more superior attitude, so it’s not always a good trait to possess. Additionally, you can trust a Ravenclaw to weigh his/her options thoroughly before making any sort of a decision—Ravenclaws like to be informed before jumping to any conclusions or being impulsive.
Ravenclaw as a whole stands for learning in general and discovering truths about various matters. You will only do well in Ravenclaw if you have a definite love of learning-not just intelligence. You have to want to be with other people of great intelligence as well. Not any old person can get into Ravenclaw; you must have most or all of the qualities mentioned above. And obviously, if you have traits from other houses that seem to outweigh your inner Ravenclaw, then you may not be sorted here. Just bear in mind that Ravenclaw is a place where “those of wit and learning will always find their kind.”
By eternaleclipse
The Ravenclaw House, while not often misunderstood, seems to be one of the more simplified houses. Strange as that seems, considering it is the house most associated with intellect, it tends to be known by that trait alone, making the house seem less fleshed-out than it is. Many will often define a Ravenclaw simply by appearing intelligent, but is that what makes a Ravenclaw? Surely there is more to it.
By simply defining Ravenclaw by intelligence alone, that seems to cut in two different ways. First, it implies that none of the other houses can have intelligent members, which is not true, by any means. You can easily have an intelligent Hufflepuff, Gryffindor or Slytherin. Secondly, it really limits a Ravenclaw personality by solely stating they are intelligent. For such a trait considered to be a signal of those who seek more, it is still just one trait. So, to truly understand Ravenclaw, one would have to take its defining trait and see how it is applied.
Ravenclaw is also described as the house where one seeks knowledge, which I would say is more relevant to the exemplar of Ravenclaw. This is a trait mentioned, but I don’t think it is the one which gets the most emphasis placed on it when it comes to describing Ravenclaw. Yes, Ravenclaws are very likely to be intelligent, and, in fact, most likely to be the house with the most intelligent people, but what really defines them is their thirst for knowledge.
An example from the books would be Luna Lovegood. Out of all the Ravenclaws, she is the one we get a look at the most. She doesn’t embody the stereotypical Ravenclaw behavior on the surface. She’s not as matter-of-fact as Hermione, a Gryffindor. In fact, she is downright out-there. She’s considered ‘loony’ by her peers, head-in-the-clouds and far from logical, but she is still a Ravenclaw. Why? Because she seeks out knowledge, even if it is of the esoteric variety. She values knowledge and uses her brain power to seek out the truth. On the surface, it appears to be rather unconventional—which may be true—of a Ravenclaw, but what guides Luna is a thirst for knowledge. Sure, it’s not the conventional value of academia, but it’s still there. Luna has a curiosity about her, a trait not easily as identifiable as Ravenclaw, but where there is knowledge to be sought, there is a curiosity to be piqued.
So, in my opinion, what truly defines a Ravenclaw is the desire to obtain knowledge. Whether it is about a music genre, a psychological theory or the unknown, there is a connecting force – knowledge for knowledge’s sake. The key is a Ravenclaw wants to know. They may be prone to intellectualize a topic which seems to be far from intellectual, but it’s not to show-off their intelligence. It’s simply how a Ravenclaw takes the world on. Many may fall from the ‘norm’ but there still is a connection – a desire to learn.
By cantinera
In many ways, Ravenclaw is probably the most difficult house to get a firm grasp of understanding on; it is rarely mentioned in canon and we know very few members well, it is laden with commonly accepted stereotypes and its most defining characteristic, intelligence, is not unique to it. There are many intelligent Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Slytherins. Likewise, there are many members of Ravenclaw who possess characteristics of the other three houses as well. So what makes an intelligent person a Ravenclaw?
Ravenclaw is more a way of thinking than intelligence itself. A way of using the brain, considering issues and discovering answers or making opinions. It is also a difference in where one personally places the greatest value, on reason, logic and thought or emotions, feelings and intuition. Furthermore, it is how one demonstrates and applies these characteristics in their lives, thoughts, actions and words. Ravenclaws think with their heads, not their hearts. A Ravenclaw would never impulsively jump into a situation like a Gryffindor without thinking through all potentialities and the best course of action. Because Ravenclaws think this way, they strive to see and consider situations as objectively as possible. They therefore have an appreciation of the relativity of thoughts and values and tend to consider all angles and each side of a problem and weigh their validity. This means that they are diplomatic and fair, though differently than an Hufflepuff who would see an innate equality in everything without needing to consider the merits and faults of each side, but can also be indecisive.
A Ravenclaw also has a genuine interest in learning and knowledge simply for the sake of learning and knowledge. Ravenclaws are therefore very curious and enjoy questioning and discussing things. Nonetheless, Slytherin is not the only house with very ambitious members. Because of the high standards Ravenclaws set for themselves and their constant use of their minds, they tend to both desire and value success and be very motivated. To some members, they are satisfied with a Ravenclawish pursuit of knowledge in academia or research. Others with Slytherin leanings would gravitate more to success in politics or business. And those with Gryffindor and Hufflepuff leanings would find a more social or humanitarian endeavour their definition of success.
This does not mean Ravenclaws are all "nerds". Active minds lead to very interesting lives. It is actually probably an overlooked advantage to be a Ravenclaw, for when one's mind is one's greatest friend and source of entertainment, one will never be alone or bored. Moreover, often those who work the hardest, party the hardest. And just like no Gryffindor is a complete person with only bravery, a Ravenclaw has many individual characteristics unique to his or her own personality.
It is perhaps one of Dumbledore's most foolish mistakes to ignore the Ravenclaws, for a group of highly intelligent and motivated, overlooked students with a sense of logical and rational objectivity could be his greatest weapon or most dangerous enemy.
By queen_medb
If asked, most people in other Houses would term Ravenclaws as “Intelligent.” Yet, with such a broad term, it becomes impossible to truly understand our House if such a term is left unqualified. Take Slytherin House for example; the broad terms used to define it usually are something along the lines of “sly,” “cunning,” and “ambitious.” The ambitious quality aside, the terms left belie a great deal of intelligence, with only one subtle difference: Its use.
While Slytherins use their knowledge and intelligence to act for self advancement (thereby fulfilling the “ambitious” quality), Ravenclaws are content to gather knowledge. Whether it is a spell or a random fact from some book, Ravenclaws have a desire to learn and soak up all that they can about the world. Furthermore, this explanation allows and explains why Ravenclaw is simply not full of geniuses; no matter what the actual level of intelligence, it is the desire to learn that sets Ravenclaws apart.
Also, I feel another trait that sets Ravenclaws apart from the others, especially Slytherin House, is the use that such knowledge gained is put to. As I said before, Slytherins use their knowledge for their own advancement; I believe that Ravenclaws use their knowledge to not only lead them to further knowledge, but for the betterment of those around them. I believe that great inventors would have either been placed or even placed themselves in the Ravenclaw house, because they wished to help others not by loving them and nurturing them as a Hufflepuff would, but rather by discovering and creating some wondrous new idea or invention to improve their lives.
I feel that such reasons are why Hermione Granger was placed into Gryffindor House; while it is true that she lives to soak up knowledge, she wants to use that knowledge to protect those around her by physical means, not by enlightenment.
By lordclow