Source: WordNet 2.0 courage n : a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger of pain without showing fear
Source: Wordnet 2.0 cowardice n : the trait of lacking courage
Obviously, Wordnet's definitions of cowardice and courage don't hold true for everyone, but these are still widely accepted definitions of both terms.
Draco Malfoy is often seen as a coward because when placed under these two (admittedly general) headings, he very clearly goes under the heading of "cowardice", as exampled in the Forbidden Forest scene, in Hagrid's many classes, etc, etc.
Now I personally don't think that JKR operates under these two definitions of cowardice and courage 24/7. For one thing, Draco does, in fact, do many things that would fit under the definition of courage, yet she prominently labels him a coward. For another, there is Phineas's own definition of "courage", which leads me to believe that courage exists on many levels in the HPverse (which would, undoubtedly make sense, since it IS JKR's most valued virtue by her own admission, and the moral code on which her story stands).
But Wordnet's definitions still seem to have very strong standing in JKR's HP world, and IMO, this is why Neville is often associated with bravery, especially in and/or post OotP. This also happens to be why I think expecting any member of one house to show that House's defining qualities all the time in canon (or even frequently) is ridiculous. Just as Slytherins are not cunning and sly 24/7 (and they most definitely are not. Not even most of the time), Gryffindors aren't brave and chivalrous all the time either. Also why I disagree that Neville is the least popular Gryffindor for this reason alone. Lavender and Parvati squeal and scream at the sight of Hippogryffs, Blast-ended Skrewts, and countless other things -- while a case can be made for Parvati, we have yet to see Lavender show any signs of courage (as defined by WordNet) in canon (with the possible exception of joining the D.A.), and yet both girls are described as "very popular". Hermione, apparently fandom's (and possibly canon's) idea of the ideal Gryffindor girl, does her fair share of nervous squeals and cringes too -- Grawp, Voldemort, her own best friend, for Christsakes. Even Harry, for all the reckless barging into danger he does, shows fear in the face of it often, too. (The graveyard scene comes to mind.) I do notice, though, that some characters in the canon DO hold the unhealthy belief that one must show their House's defining characteristics 24/7.
In fact, Gryffindors use that type of insult a lot when they want to get each other to do something (and Snape uses it to get to Sirius as well, probably having learned how well it works).
Out of curiousity, could you please give an example of "a lot"? The one other time I remember seeing it used (if this could even count as an example) is the time Sirius called Peter a coward (after the matter, which kind of makes it a useless point).
no subject
courage
n : a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger of pain
without showing fear
Source: Wordnet 2.0
cowardice
n : the trait of lacking courage
Obviously, Wordnet's definitions of cowardice and courage don't hold true for everyone, but these are still widely accepted definitions of both terms.
Draco Malfoy is often seen as a coward because when placed under these two (admittedly general) headings, he very clearly goes under the heading of "cowardice", as exampled in the Forbidden Forest scene, in Hagrid's many classes, etc, etc.
Now I personally don't think that JKR operates under these two definitions of cowardice and courage 24/7. For one thing, Draco does, in fact, do many things that would fit under the definition of courage, yet she prominently labels him a coward. For another, there
is Phineas's own definition of "courage", which leads me to believe that courage exists on many levels in the HPverse (which would, undoubtedly make sense, since it IS JKR's most valued virtue by her own admission, and the moral code on which her story stands).
But Wordnet's definitions still seem to have very strong standing in JKR's HP world, and IMO, this is why Neville is often associated with bravery, especially in and/or post OotP. This also happens to be why I think expecting any member of one house to show that House's defining qualities all the time in canon (or even frequently) is ridiculous. Just as Slytherins are not cunning and sly 24/7 (and they most definitely are not. Not even most of the time), Gryffindors aren't brave and chivalrous all the time either. Also why I disagree that Neville is the least popular Gryffindor for this reason alone. Lavender and Parvati squeal and scream at the sight of Hippogryffs, Blast-ended Skrewts, and countless other things -- while a case can be made for Parvati, we have yet to see Lavender show any signs of courage (as defined by WordNet) in canon (with the possible exception of joining the D.A.), and yet both girls are described as "very popular". Hermione, apparently fandom's (and possibly canon's) idea of the ideal Gryffindor girl, does her fair share of nervous squeals and cringes too -- Grawp, Voldemort, her own best friend, for Christsakes. Even Harry, for all the reckless barging into danger he does, shows fear in the face of it often, too. (The graveyard scene comes to mind.) I do notice, though, that some characters in the canon DO hold the unhealthy belief that one must show their House's defining characteristics 24/7.
In fact, Gryffindors use that type of insult a lot when they want to get each other to do something (and Snape uses it to get to Sirius as well, probably having learned how well it works).
Out of curiousity, could you please give an example of "a lot"? The one other time I remember seeing it used (if this could even count as an example) is the time Sirius called Peter a coward (after the matter, which kind of makes it a useless point).
Sammy,
who really needs to get an LJ