Snape as teacher

[Lyda Clunas]

No: HPFGUIDX 17094

Lea wrote:

>>Whatever made him come to Hogwarts and whatever made  him take on 
the job, he didn´t want it, I´m sure of that. He likes imposing his 
authority on the students, he enjoys letting them feel  his 
superiority and power over them, he takes pleasure in confronting  
them with their dunderheadishness, but that´s not the reason he likes 
his job, it´s the thing that makes it bearable for him.<<

Now, this is true. I don't think that teaching was Snape's ideal line 
of work. IMO, he took on the teaching job because 1) He was an ex-DE, 
and his life was in pretty grave danger, and 2) He was an ex-DE, and 
no one else probably really trusts him. He didn't claim "bewitchment" 
like the others; Dumbledore was probably one of the only wizards to 
fully trust him with a job, you know, without the prejudice and 
stigmas of his past. However, even though he might not really *like* 
teaching (although, I think the job does give him some sort of 
satisfaction more than simply being "bearable"), he's still a pretty 
damn good teacher, as far as getting the information across to the 
students.

>> Above all, Snape is an impatient man. Impatient people don´t make  
teachers, believe me. It´s the main reason why I dropped my own plans 
of becoming one.<<

True again. Snape is impatient, and his frustration with the students 
definitely shows. That's why most of the kids dislike him so. But, 
again, they may hate his guts, but they're still learning. ;) 

JKR says that Dumbledore believes that "bad" teachers like Snape are 
part of life's lessons. Too right. Not only are the students learning 
Potions with great efficiency, but they're also learning how to deal 
with the impatient, ill-temepered people in the world. :)

>> Rebecca explains Snape´s method as "The harsh task master driving 
his  students to excellence". That may well be the effect with some  
students. And that gives him a certain right to waspish remarks, to  
harsh criticism, to lots of homework, everything that has to do with  
success or failure in the field of study. (This covers even his cruel 
remarks to Neville, because he criticises Neville´s intellectual 
failures). But it does not cover that "I see no difference" remark to 
Hermione in GoF. I think we all agree that this was surprisingly 
cruel even by Snape´s usual standards.<<

Unfortunately, as much as I'd like to, I can't find any redeeming 
factor for the "I see no difference" comment. I agree; it was 
completely inappropriate, especially for a teacher. But, it also 
seemed, as you say, "surprisingly cruel" for Snape, even. Could there 
have been another reason for that particularly terrible remark? 
Perhaps; we know that Snape was extremely preoccupied what with the 
increasing clarity of the Dark Mark on his arm, Mad-Eye Moody lurking 
about, and Karkaroff stalking him nervously. But still... nope, this 
comment was unjustified. It *was* extremely wrong of him. But he also 
hasn't repeated anything so incredibly cruel and unprofessional 
before or since.

Lyda