Authority and rule-breaking

[catherine at cator-manor.demon.co.uk]

No: HPFGUIDX 16243

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Amanda Lewanski <editor at t...> wrote:
> lea.macleod at g... wrote:
> 
> > In answer to that: People with an extraordinary sense of 
authority and
> > rule-keeping do not necessarily have a good sense of justice and
> > fairness, too... they more often tend not to see beyond the 
rules. On
> > the contrary, their concept will only make sense to them if they 
don´t
> > accept anything beyond the rules. They will not allow the rules 
to be
> > modified by higher principles such as equity, or justice, or 
fairness.
> 
> Hmmm. Snape is Inspector Javert. I wonder if he will break, as 
Javert
> did. Any other Les Miserables fans out there want to explore the
> similarity?
> 
> I didn't have time to read the whole post (sorry) and I have to go 
deal
> with the little one now....I'll be pondering.
> 
> --Amanda
> 
It's a few years since I've read the book/seen the musical, but 
doesn't Inspector Javert commit suicide, partly because he realises 
that his behaviour and regard for crime and punishment has lead to 
obsession and miscarriage of justice (or at least not proportionate 
justice), and that ultimately his behaviour has been inhumane?

I always saw his character as very black/white, which is how I've 
considered Snape - and I think it's the realisation that things 
cannot be assessed in that way which will force Snape to take stock.  
This way of living could also be construed as a form of cowardice - 
it is very easy not to have to think about things and live within the 
confines of an ordered society with a defined set of rules - it takes 
more guts to know when these are not apppropriate and to try and act 
accordingly.

I don't think that I've expressed that very well... I hope you all 
know what I mean!

Catherine