InsaneJournal

Introduction

I'd ignore the part where Raven was literally written into a town of people that really don't like her, save for like one or two people, but that's kind of a big part of her personality development and why she acts the way she does.

I think for this one, I'm going to take a slightly different approach than I have for the others. I normally place the sorting at the end, but I'm going to announce it now. I think, given what I remember of Raven from the books, that she would be best fit in Ravenclaw, but this could change.

I'll be honest, it's been years since I've read the books so by the time I post this, I will have read the first book over again, to have a better grip on her characterization. By the end, we'll see if my mind has changed and if I decide she's better in another House.

Her younger brother William, on the other hand, is a textbook Ravenclaw. Nerdy, loves learning for the sake of learning, does all the nerdy stuff. The words "quantum physics" turn him into a puddle of nerd. He's a nerdy little Ravenclaw and we love him.

Ravenclaw Values

Typically when someone thinks of a Ravenclaw, they think of the studious bookworms. The "know-it-alls". However, we also have in this house the dreamers and the individualists. People with an active imagination; people like Luna Lovegood.

Ravenclaw's core values are:

• Intelligence
• Wit
• Wisdom
• Creativity
• Originality
• Individuality
• Sharpness
• Acceptance

Raven's Personality

By the third page of the first book, Raven has already described herself as eccentric, but she likes being eccentric. It's one of the main things about her entire characterization. She grew up in a very conservative town that didn't mix well with her liberal views of life. She's the "black sheep" of her town, but despite how much guff and teasing she goes through, she refuses to change.

Some of the things I do remember from the books is that Raven is curious, witty, and insufferable in her individuality. She's over-the-top and dramatic at any given chance. She also likes to read, as she was reading Anne Rice novels when she was eleven. Anybody who's read Anne Rice's work knows how fantastical and extravagant Anne's writing tends to be.

According to the Myers-Brigg test on 16personalities.com, Raven is an ENFP-T, or a Turbulent Campaigner. These are some of the strengths and weaknesses of the Campaigner.

• Strengths
  • Curious
  • Observant
  • Energetic and Enthusiastic
  • Excellent Communicators
  • Know How to Relax
  • Very Popular and Friendly
• Weaknesses
  • Poor Practical Skills
  • Find it Difficult to Focus
  • Overthink Things
  • Get Stressed Easily
  • Highly Emotional
  • Independent to a Fault

As I mentioned, Raven is curious. But she is curious to a fault. Her curiosity bleeds right into nosiness. Despite not liking gossip about herself, she's a teenage girl. She gets swept into gossip just the same, and sometimes she gets an insatiable itch to see the truth. That's where she tends to get into trouble.

Raven is also highly intuitive. When she gets a gut feeling, good or bad, she trusts it. From what I recall, she's usually right about her hunches.

Admittedly, some of these strengths are a little hit-or-miss for Raven. Curious and observant? Definitely. Energetic and enthusiastic? Absolutely. Raven, when not in "Dullsville", seems to make friends without a hitch and could be very popular if given the right atmosphere. Excellent communicator? Ehhhh. She's had some moments where she should have been a lot more honest and is known to dodge questions she'd really rather not answer.

I'd say most of these weaknesses are pretty on-the-spot for her, however. Because Raven is so "dreamy" and consumed with other thoughts, it's very difficult for her to focus on more important, practical things. She rarely pays attention in class, (sometimes even skips class altogether) and her grades in school suffer for it. It's hard for her to focus on anything she isn't interested in and this could prove troublesome for her in the future.

When she's passionate about an idea, it's difficult to turn her away from it. This isn't always a good thing.

I interpreted "independent to a fault" in a totally different way than it was intended, but when I read what it said on the site, it said basically that Campaigners hate being micro-managed and restrained by rules. Raven has always been a rebellious spirit. If she thinks a rule is stupid, she's not likely to follow it.

Overall, Raven is witty, curious, and charismatic. Though her curiosity tends to get the best of her, she's generally the type where if you're nice to her, she'll be nice to you. If you pick a verbal argument with her, you better be ready for the onslaught of wit because this girl is damn snappy.

Raven's Values

Raven mainly values individuality and wit. She's accepted herself for all her eccentricities and more than anything in this world, she wants people to welcome her for who she is, rather than try to get her to change for their own comfort. She knows she's weird, and she's proud.

Perhaps she's not academically-inclined or "nerdy" as her younger brother is, but she loves thinking outside of the box and putting her own twist on everything she does. She's creative and sharp, and she's generally open-minded. Again, be nice to her and she'll be nice to you. It's not rocket science, it's just basic human decency.

She'll accept anybody as her friend so long as they prove they're a relatively good person and worthwhile to have around.

The Final Verdict

She's a bit Gryffindor perhaps in how she's protective of her friends and ridiculously gutsy, but those aren't really her values in the end.

She could also be Slytherin because I remember enough of the books to know that girl is cunning and resourceful, but that's also not what she values most.

Some of the traits appeal to her, definitely, but I think at the end of the day, Raven is a Ravenclaw.