What the Sortings Say about “Fantastic Beasts” Characters

Warning: Contains Fantastic Beasts SPOILERS!

The passing years have not dampened the fervor and devotion of Harry Potter fans–they remain in a constant state of anticipation, always waiting for J.K. Rowling to issue new insight into her beloved characters and their backstories. Now the fandom is abuzz with Rowling’s latest Twitter revelations.

She announced the houses of the newest heroes in the wizarding world in two matter-of-fact tweets. Tina is a Thunderbird, while her sister, Queenie, is a Pukwudgie. And Jacob, stand-out No-Maj, would belong to the house of Wampus–if he could.

This resulted in widespread fanfare and an outpouring of tweeted comments and follow-up questions. Though, we’d happily accept anything from the briefest of tweets to the lengthiest of tomes–her every word is charmed!–Rowling doesn’t have to elaborate further in order for us to delve into how the sortings inform our understanding of the characters.

Thunderbirds are characterized as adventurers, embodying the soul. Tina may be a rule-follower, but she’s not above taking risks, especially when it comes to her job or a just cause. (Not unlike another strong female character known as the most talented witch of her age.) She continues to shadow the Second Salemers, even after being strictly forbidden from doing so, not so much out of bravery, but out of compulsion. The need to see the job through, address a threat and, we learn later in the film, to protect the oft-abused Credence Barebone. She risks drawing attention to herself and MACUSA with her continued presence there, but she does it anyway.

She’s willing to take Newt, Queenie, and Jacob into the jazz bar frequented by the more unsavory wizards in the city, most of whom, she observes, she’s arrested. But Tina does it on a whim, without a second thought, jeopardizing her safety and her professional credibility in hopes it will help Newt resolve the larger problem at hand, his missing fantastic beasts and the potential exposure of wizard-kind.

Her matter-of-fact exterior is a thin veneer, kept in place to guard a woman whose spirited nature is not always well-received by those around her. But when she warms to Newt, fascinated by his love and care for his creatures, his loyalty to his friends, and his readiness to put himself on the line for both, we can see why Queenie calls her a “giver.” Once her trust is won, she’ll do anything for those she cares about.

Tina also seems quite at home in Newt’s world and, though we already know their fate as included in the notes of his own textbook, it’s a perfectly fitting development. Her admiration for him grows visibly as the film progresses, so that we can easily envision Tina joining Newt on his future adventures and, of course, putting her experience as a member of the Investigative Team to good use. (Now we just have to wait and see how Rowling works out all the details in the middle!)

Queenie is the Pukwudgie in the group. The house of heart and healers. Rowling has stated there are no direct correlations between the houses of Ilvermorny and Hogwarts, but it does seem there is a close kinship between the qualities of Pukwudgies and Hufflepuffs, known as lovers of animals, loyal and true, honest and compassionate. No wonder Queenie and Newt seem to share a special bond (though platonic, of course!) Queenie’s innate sensitivity to others and her empathetic heart only heighten her skill as a Legilimens, as evidenced by her ability to feel Newt’s pain over the rift in his relationship with Leta Lestrange.

Her light-hearted countenance and inquisitive spirit help her to be open-minded and gracious with those around her, especially with Jacob. Where others would automatically avoid him (or obliviate him), his No-Maj status doesn’t phase her at all. Instead, her natural inclination to be a comforter and caregiver takes over, welcoming Jacob to the girls’ apartment, settling him before a delicious dinner, and making lively conversation.

And Jacob, he’s an interesting character in his own right. Not a wizard by blood, but sorted by Rowling according to his quality. He’s a Wampus. A warrior, centered by the body. This makes complete sense. (Not that we doubted her!) Consider Jacob’s love of pastries and his appreciation for good, authentic, home-cooked food. It connects him to memories of his Grandma. It’s his passion and his hope for the future. It’s a way to bring joy to the nondescript lives of those around him. He’s in tune with himself and what he likes, doesn’t take himself too seriously, and is the most down-to-earth of the characters. (What a delightful turn–using the non-wizard as the grounding character of the quartet and perfect compliment to Newt!)

Finally, the warrior in him. The bravery. Jacob may be newly-initiated into the wizarding world, but he literally jumps in feet first (even though he gets momentarily stuck along the way.) It’s not so much that he’s a risk-taker, an adventurer, like Tina, it’s that he accesses the situation, accepts it, and moves forward. That’s the essence of courage, after all, being afraid and pressing on in spite of it. Jacob tags along through all of Newt’s escapades, stalwart and capable. (At least, as capable as a No-Maj can be in those situations.) He gamely tends Newt’s fantastic beasts, escapes an Erumpent, and insists Queenie not put herself in harm’s way during the final encounter with Graves/Grindelwald and Credence’s obscurus. He says he’s one of them now. He means it and intends to act on it.

It’s an exciting thing to look back at the development of the story and see how Rowling so deftly worked her magic in crafting the characters. They will undoubtedly carry on true to form in future installments, where we can expect Tina to be a spirited defender, Queenie a compassionate helper, and Jacob a practical and determined protector.