Discernment and the Sorting Hat

Considering the role of desire and free will

Last week, I shared a bit about how thinking of myself as the narrator rather than the author of my life has been a helpful mindset shift in shaping how I reflect on my life. This week, we’re sticking with the general ‘story’ theme to look at how a popular fictional prop can help us shift our approach towards vocational discernment.

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Once I was having a conversation with a wise woman, a trained spiritual director who loves the Lord. While serving on a retreat, we were discussing how common it is for people (especially young people) to approach their vocational discernment with a fixed mindset: There is one thing, and one thing only, for me to do, and that thing is hidden in the Mind of God. Until I guess it correctly, I will do nothing.

“But,” she said with a laugh, “what most people don’t realize is that it’s more like the Sorting Hat - God takes our desires into account, too.”

I had to agree with her. And since I’m currently listening to Stephen Fry narrate the first Harry Potter book¹ as a fun summer read, I’m reminded of just what a great analogy that is.

What is the Sorting Hat?

Here’s a little refresher in case it’s been a while (or never) since you picked up the story: 

The first year students, age 11, arrive at Hogwarts for the first time, only to be told that they must be sorted into houses, which they will belong to for the rest of their years at the school. Each house tends to have certain characteristics, as well as famous graduates who model that characteristic. Hufflepuffs are “unafraid of toil”; Ravenclaws are known for their “wit and learning;” Slytherins are “cunning folk” who “use any means to achieve their ends”; and Gryffindors are “brave at heart.” 

Harry has learned that the evil Voldemort, as well as the annoying and pretentious Malfoy family, were all members of Slytherin, while his new friend Ron Weasley’s family are all Griffindors. When the magical talking Sorting Hat–which can see inside the mind of the wearer–is placed on him, Harry can hear its deliberation: 

“‘Hmm,’ said a small voice in his ear. ‘Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There’s talent, oh my goodness, yes - and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that’s interesting… So where shall I put you?’

Harry gripped the edges of the stool and thought, ‘Not Slytherin, not Slytherin.’

‘Not Slytherin, eh?’ said the small voice. ‘Are you sure? You could be great, you know, it’s all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that - no? Well, if you’re sure - better be GRIFFINDOR!’ 

Now of course the analogy between the Sorting Hat and discernment breaks down at some point, but I think it’s a helpful scene.

Why Choose One Path Over Another?

The Sorting Hat can see objective reasons for Harry to belong to each house. He has the courage to be a Gryffindor, the mind to be a Ravenclaw, the willingness to work to be a Hufflepuff, and the desire for greatness to be a Slytherin. Really, any house could be a good fit, particularly Slytherin. And yet, it’s Harry’s fervent desire not to be part of a house associated with so much evil that lands him in Gryffindor.

Sometimes life is like this. There are objectively good reasons for several, often mutually exclusive, options. God can see all those reasons - and sometimes we can too, which makes it very difficult to make a decision. But often our desires (for something good) matter when it comes to discernment. There are good reasons to do many things: but which one do we actually want (or definitely not want) to do?

Our desires don’t have the final say, and they aren’t infallible, but they often tell us something about ourselves, and they often lead us towards particular actions.

Later in the series, Harry laments the fact that the Sorting Hat only placed him in Gryffindor because he expressed a desire not to be in Slytherin. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore then reminds him of just how crucial this is:

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are - far more than our abilities.”

Harry has what it takes, objectively, to become a Slytherin, and a successful one, at that. But he (rightly!) doesn’t want to. His desire is to stay far away from the evil that killed his parents. And that desire lands him in a house that will help him develop the courage that is already growing within him. His desire expresses something deeper about his identity.

Often, the same is true for us. What we want indicates the kind of person that we are, or at least, the kind of person that we want to become. The “raw material” may be present for many different paths but our deeper desires often provide the motivation for cultivating one path over another. These deeper desires aren’t infallible, of course! But they are involved in our discernment of vocation or any other significant decision. If we try to pretend that we don’t have any desire at all, or that it’s entirely meaningless, we’re failing at treating ourselves like humans instead of robots.

A Practical Exercise for Discernment

Here’s a fun –albeit a bit silly, but still helpful! –exercise to do with a good friend, especially if you’re both discerning different things.

Get a hat and pretend you’re the the voice of the Sorting Hat for your friend. What do you observe about them? What objectively good reasons can you give for them deciding on different paths? Suggest that they take one. Give your friend the opportunity to respond to these musings and see what happens. Then, ask your friend to do the same for you. You might be surprised at your own reactions to someone else’s observations and suggestions made aloud.

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Tell me: have you ever wrestled with the role of desire and free will in discernment? Do you struggle to know what you really want? Have you found anything particularly helpful in making decisions? Do you think the Sorting Hat is a helpful analogy?

1. I know there are many Christians who are uncomfortable with Harry Potter, and I really respect that concern. I don’t think the whole series is actually a good fit for children: not because of the magic element, but because I don’t like the way many of the adults in the book act towards the children in their care. This article by Alan Jacobs in First Things deals well with the magic side of things, I think.