I did think he had potential in ways that Slughorn really did not.
In the context of this essay (I mean, as far as the issue of rejecting Pureblood ideology from example), I would have to say that if Draco were ever to sit down and think on what it meant to his entire foundation of beliefs that Hermione could kick his arse at almost every turn and that her ideas were good enough for him to borrow for himself...it would still put him on approximately the same level as Slughorn, because I feel like they have been through similar arcs.
Slughorn has had examples that challenge his own ideas of Pureblood Superiority (Lily Evans is probably the prime example in his mind); he described it as a shock to discover that she was Muggleborn, and thought it was "funny how that worked" when he heard about Muggleborn Hermione's abilities. To me, this doesn't read so much as though Slughorn thinks that Muggleborns are inferior, so much as though he thinks they should be inferior, based on the ideology he's used to, and is constantly being surprised that they aren't. Particularly with that last line, it seems as though Slughorn once had his beliefs about Pureblood superiority, and he had been surprised from example. Perhaps he's still being surprised. But he is still prejudiced -- yes, he probably would be happier with all purebloods. He probably would not seek Muggleborn equality, although he's made his allowances. There is, however, a difference between this and say, Lucius Malfoy -- there's a difference between acknowledging that Muggleborns are good, though you prefer purebloods, and relegating all Muggleborns to the status of "worthless"; which is what I think most of the Slytherins at school seem to do, that we've seen. (I'm only taking this from the HBP scene where Blaise swears he would never touch Ginny because of her blood-traitor status -- which, admittedly, may be a different and more serious thing altogether, but still speaks of prejudice -- and the way they do seem to follow Voldemort's ideology.) And these are the two levels I see Draco wavering between, because as far as pureblood ideology goes, these are the two extremes that I think we've ever seen.
When Sirius mentions that lots of people liked the ideas that Voldemort was pimping, although they didn't like his methods once they joined up ... well, we have an idea of the sorts of things Voldemort was suggesting (even if he carried them out rather violently), based on the activities of certain members of the Black family, as well as on Slytherin's stance on Muggleborns: keep them away. Bait them. Have legislatures against them. Basically, keep them away from wizarding society, possibly because they are no good/worthless/maybe dangerous. Drawing back from Voldemort because you have issues against Dark Marks/genocide/whatever-else-he-may-have-had-his-DEs-doing is all well and good, but it doesn't make these sort of ideas any better.
no subject
I did think he had potential in ways that Slughorn really did not.
In the context of this essay (I mean, as far as the issue of rejecting Pureblood ideology from example), I would have to say that if Draco were ever to sit down and think on what it meant to his entire foundation of beliefs that Hermione could kick his arse at almost every turn and that her ideas were good enough for him to borrow for himself...it would still put him on approximately the same level as Slughorn, because I feel like they have been through similar arcs.
Slughorn has had examples that challenge his own ideas of Pureblood Superiority (Lily Evans is probably the prime example in his mind); he described it as a shock to discover that she was Muggleborn, and thought it was "funny how that worked" when he heard about Muggleborn Hermione's abilities. To me, this doesn't read so much as though Slughorn thinks that Muggleborns are inferior, so much as though he thinks they should be inferior, based on the ideology he's used to, and is constantly being surprised that they aren't. Particularly with that last line, it seems as though Slughorn once had his beliefs about Pureblood superiority, and he had been surprised from example. Perhaps he's still being surprised. But he is still prejudiced -- yes, he probably would be happier with all purebloods. He probably would not seek Muggleborn equality, although he's made his allowances. There is, however, a difference between this and say, Lucius Malfoy -- there's a difference between acknowledging that Muggleborns are good, though you prefer purebloods, and relegating all Muggleborns to the status of "worthless"; which is what I think most of the Slytherins at school seem to do, that we've seen. (I'm only taking this from the HBP scene where Blaise swears he would never touch Ginny because of her blood-traitor status -- which, admittedly, may be a different and more serious thing altogether, but still speaks of prejudice -- and the way they do seem to follow Voldemort's ideology.) And these are the two levels I see Draco wavering between, because as far as pureblood ideology goes, these are the two extremes that I think we've ever seen.
When Sirius mentions that lots of people liked the ideas that Voldemort was pimping, although they didn't like his methods once they joined up ... well, we have an idea of the sorts of things Voldemort was suggesting (even if he carried them out rather violently), based on the activities of certain members of the Black family, as well as on Slytherin's stance on Muggleborns: keep them away. Bait them. Have legislatures against them. Basically, keep them away from wizarding society, possibly because they are no good/worthless/maybe dangerous. Drawing back from Voldemort because you have issues against Dark Marks/genocide/whatever-else-he-may-have-had-his-DEs-doing is all well and good, but it doesn't make these sort of ideas any better.