Snape as teacher

[sashibuya at hotmail.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 12035

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Scott" <harry_potter00 at y...> wrote:
<snip>
> 
> Snape could feel that he isn't appreciated by most of his students 
> (especially those from Gryffindor) and therefore feels even greater 
> animosity toward them. Perhaps he is just so bitter toward life in 
> general, and students in general that he can't apprieciate someone 
> like Hermione who really wants to learn. (He just treats Slytherins 
> better because?)

I guess it's that vicious circle situation. Snape is unpleasant, so 
his students don't like him, which makes him even more bitter and 
sarcastic, which makes the students dislike him even more... Snape 
just isn't the sort of fellow to take the lessons of "How to win 
friends and influence people" to heart. 
Although, we haven't seen how Snape behaves in front of the (just 
speculating here) combined Ravenclaw-Hufflepuff classes. Maybe he's 
less extreme there. I would guess that his behavior towards Harry is 
a unique thing. I keep thinking there must be more to his history 
with James than the werewolf incident. 

Amy Z wrote:  
"Re: Snape's teaching and why he hates Hermione:  maybe it hasn't 
much to do with Harry; maybe he just hates a "know-it-all" (not that 
I'm agreeing with this characterization of Hermione).  Teachers do 
tend to love hardworking students, but they can also hate the most 
hardworking and talented students; I've seen it many a time."

I could see that too, which would explain his dislike of her even 
before she got to be friends with Harry. Perhaps he sees in her the 
students whom he resented during his school days, or, more darkly, he 
doesn't like even his negative prognostications contradicted by 
reality. That is, he predicts that he will be disappointed by his 
students. Hermione, diligent and passionate about learning, pops up. 
Snape is disappointed that he didn't get to be disappointed. (Boy, my 
speculation leads to a characterization of as Snape a rather 
dysfunctional, self destructive individual. On the other hand, all 
this focusing on his school days does sound rather warped.)

Argh. All these discussions just make me want Book Five even more. 
(sigh)

Charmian