4HU APPLICATION:
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Name: Karen
HE House: Hufflepuff
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1. How do you feel about Voldemort as a character? (Not as a person.)
As a literary character I believe Voldemort is still lacking depth. Even though book 6 definitely fleshed him out more I still feel that there are many crucial questions that need to be answered in order for him to be a transcendental character. Of course the Harry Potter series is already phenomenal, yet I think that Voldemort, as an antagonistic character still has to pass the final test before he becomes truly legendary. I guess I feel that he still falls within the “cookie- cutter” mold of the villain. For example I feel the reasons behind many of his actions are still very simple or unknown. Let’s say, so we know that he wants to avoid death. But why is he starting a war to obtain this? If all he wants is to live forever why does he gather cruel followers? Wasn’t there any more peaceful ways to do this? Does he want to start a new type of world? What evidence do we really have that he wants to take over the world? Is he just the good old power hungry villain? What does he want the power for? If he is just power hungry is this enough to make him whole as a character? Was he just “born evil”? If so, what is Rowling saying? I believe that even though we can begin to answer these questions, the answers still have too many loopholes. And these holes keep Voldemort from really becoming a transcendental literary villain. Yet, I really like the fact that we are told that Voldemort is the result of a lack of love. There was no love between his mother and father and his mother was an abused child. This makes slightly more human and also passes along what I feel is a very important message to present and future parents.
2. Which Harry Potter character can you most relate to? (In the sense of personality, intelligence, character traits, etc.)
Luna Lovegood. I guess that I relate to her in two levels, first the way that I perceive myself to be and the way I want to be. When I first met Luna the one thing that I related to her by was the fact that she has such a different kind of intelligence. The Luna we obtain from the canon does not fulfill the strict stereotype of “intelligent” that is usually believed. I think it is because of this that I relate to her the most. Even though I am the kind of person that cares a lot about grades, I have always felt that my obtaining good grades is mostly due to hard work. I believe that the area that I feel I am truly intelligent in is my yearning to find the “deeper”, hidden, or more encompassing perspective. It is the one area in which I actually feel as if my brain can function with more ease. For example, I am the annoying person that can always see the themes in the novels for the English essays. Maybe it is all about seeing the overall pattern. I feel that Luna is like that as well. However, I wish I was as honest as she is. I am working on it, but I still have trouble saying exactly what I want to say all the time. But this makes me like her and relate to her even more.
3. What thing, event, or person has had the most impact in your life? (Please don't use yourself because you can't think of someone/something else. Think hard!)
I have had the privilege of leaving my home, the place I grew up in, and then looking back to see what the nest left me with. I strongly believe that the most determinant factors in my life have been my mother and the place I grew up in, Mexico City. Mexico City is a smoggy crowded city like they paint it in many books and stories. However for me it also a place full beautiful buildings form the colonial era, majestic cathedrals, Aztec ruins, museums, and the place where my family lives. There two cultures clashed into each other and bred creating a new world. And from the clash people like me were born. I believe that the city is a mirror of us; it bears all the marks and displays all the beauty of that mix. From it I learned some of my most important lessons, and the one I am most thankful for, is the realization that there were many opposites in life, that reality has many poles and the norm is difference. Mexico City is the city of opposites. Rich and poor live meshed to each other for in the street you see a family driving a Mercedes while a five year old child runs to their window and begs for money. Every other corner you see old people begging or pregnant teenagers selling packets of gum. Most of the people begging are not drug addicts or alcoholics they just poor indigenous people that have been kicked out of their farm lands and have no education. Some of them don’t speak Spanish and still speak their native tongue. Mexico City taught me that there many realities that collide with mine. Living in my beautiful monster, like I call it, it is impossible to remain in an oblivious cocoon where you can believe that everyone shares your privileges and your hardships. In a few words it taught me to place myself in other people’s shoes.
4. What makes a friendship valuable to you?
I believe that the people that come into my life that I call friends all had, have or will have a purpose in my life. They are here to teach me something about myself, the world, or people. Friendship is valuable to me because in my life it has pushed to become a better person; more open, less scared of sharing myself with world. They have also shown me how to give and how to receive. I also believe that friends are a mirror to a part of you. So I value their presence and hope that I am returning to them as much as they give to me.
5. If you had a hero (real or literary) who would it be? (Please keep in mind that we're asking IF you had one, and again please don't use yourself because you can't think of someone else. Be creative!)
It would be a mix of my mom, Virginia Woolf and Albus Dumbledore. I guess from my mom my hero would have to have the huge heart. My mom is the most giving, self-sacrificing person I know. And she has this huge faith in people and family. Of course she has also suffered from the extremes of these traits but that is why my hero would also have the independence of Virginia Woolf. And of course her intelligence, creativity and her search to be unique. I am always in awe of her ability and persistence to create a form of writing that was unique to the female mind. And I believe she accomplished this extremely difficult task. I see her as intellectually daring and unafraid to tread into the intellectual unknown. However, she appears to me that she was not adventurous enough in a tangible way. So my hero would be topped off with the wisdom, determination and daring of Albus Dumbledore. THAT is my hero!!! Totally. :)
6. Which house qualities do you exhibit in your everyday life (give examples)?
I am a person that really fights and notices injustice. I cannot stand injustice and I want to make this fight a part of my daily life. I think this is, at least in part, why I am going to Africa next year to work with a yet not picked NGO. It is also in part because I search to myself in new situations that impel me to think in different manners or see things in a different perspective. What better way than to leave the cocoon of my everyday life don’t you think? I am also very curious and like to problem solve. I am a scientist after all. And I am working as a research assistant which means I have to be constantly asking why and learning from my mistakes. I am always asking questions, and although sometimes I feel I should take more things as they are this side of me always takes over. It can be bad at work sometimes because there are many things in science that we just don’t know. But hey, I want to know! Even if all we know is that we don’t know. I am also an idealist and this guides me in many of my decisions and wants in everyday life. I am the kind of person that feels guilty using a Styrofoam box for leftovers because I cant help thinking that it will be around forever. It is interesting, but I recently asked a few friends and family to fill a “poll” (a Johari Window, I bet some of you know about these) and 62% of them said I am idealist. Oh and also 50% thinks I am friendly and caring. Friendly is one of those traits that a part of me knows I am but another has always perceived me as being shy and a little antisocial. I guess not! :)
7. What house combination do you feel you're most like? Least like? (This is not pushing. It shows whether or not you are self-aware and may not have an influence on the voting process.)
I feel I am mostly a Ravenpuff. With a biiiit of Gryffindor. And least like I would have to say Slytherdor.
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8.
here is my old application