[HPforGrownups] Re: Neville and Snape

[Amanda Lewanski]

No: HPFGUIDX 3751

Christina Gross wrote:

> I can't see any desire to impart knowledge in Snape.

Up to this point I was agreeing with you, but I don't think this is right.
Snape has the disenchantment that comes from being truly gifted and teaching
those who are taking the class to fill a requirement. I've seen it in
English teachers, with classes full of education majors getting the grammar
requirement out of the way; I've felt a shade of it myself, tutoring. But
ah, when another truly gifted one comes along! Imparting the art is a joy.
Teaching is not. Alas that he lets his surliness and house affiliation blind
him to Hermione. Perhaps he's been teaching for so long he doesn't care
anymore, but I'll bet my socks that this disenchantment was the origin of
his snarly teaching style. If he's based on a real teacher, I'll up the ante
to my husband's socks, too. Plus, plotwise, it adds a bit of credence to the
theory that he's at Hogwarts partially for the protection.

--Amanda