Snape & scenes outside Harry's PoV (was Staffroom scene)

[Neil Ward]

No: HPFGUIDX 11293

Amanda said, re the teachers' taunting of Lockhart

> This reminds me, I've been wanting to point this scene out for another
> reason. It's one of the very few times we observe the teachers
> interacting, unobserved (so far as they know). And there was a great
> deal of humor in the way they all handled it, and I was impressed with
> the way that they all picked up Snape's lead like a well-rehearsed act.
> For those who think Snape is totally unpleasant to everyone all the
> time, I would say: people don't interact with you that way, immediately
> catch your drift and join in, or be as ready to take your initiative
> unless they know you pretty well and are okay with you. Snape is "in"
> with the other teachers; they seem a fraternity to me. I can't quite
> phrase this exactly, sorry, but I hope you know what I mean.

Yes, I know what you mean.  That's what I was getting at when I called it a
"very revealing interaction" and I agree totally on the different perception
of Snape.  Our view of Snape is essentially that of a boy viewing an
unpopular, embittered teacher who tends to pick on him for kicks - it's
bound to be a somewhat negative portrayal.  That's not to say Snape is a fun
guy to be around; just that he probably has facets we haven't seen.  Look at
Snape's passionate introduction to the subject of Potions (PS) and compare
that to Lockhart's inept blundering (CoS): who would you rather have as a
teacher?

So much of what we see of the characters is from the oft-mentioned 'Harry's
Point Of View,' so it's always fascinating to read things from a slightly
different perspective.  Although Harry overhears this particular scene from
his hiding place in the cupboard, the teachers aren't aware of his presence,
so we see their behaviour as a team rather than Harry's view of them as
individuals.   There are a couple of other such scenes that spring to mind,
in CoS: the scene in Hagrid's hut, when Harry and Ron are hiding under the
Invisibility Cloak, and the Polyjuice Potion scene with Draco Malfoy.  In
fact, 'eavesdropped' scenes in all the books provide us with valuable
character and plot information.  Other examples:

Harry overhears Lucius and Draco in Borgin and Burkes - we learn how Lucius
treats Draco;
Harry overhears Molly and Arthur discussing him in the pub - this tells
Harry important information about Sirius, but also about the Weasleys'
genuine concern for him;
The Three Broomsticks conversation - we learn about James and Sirius.

and so on...

There are also the 'remote viewing' scenes (Riddle's diary, Pensieve,
Harry's dream et al) in which Harry is, essentially, invisible to the
events.  All of them loaded with clues...

Neil
_____________________________________
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