Father figures (was Chapter 35 - more, and more and more)

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No: HPFGUIDX 14814

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Amanda Lewanski <editor at t...> wrote:

> Schlobin at a... wrote:
 
> > 1) What about the father-son relationships in HP/specifically in 
GofF
> > b) What about Harry's relationship with his father/father figures?
> > c) What about Harry and Dumbledore? Dumbledore is the Great 
Protector
> > of Harry, watching over him, throughout his life.
> > d)Then we have Sirius and Harry..Sirius is Harry's godfather, and
> > Harry has also begin to depend and trust him.

Speaking of father and son relationship, I think you've missed the 
most prominent one in the series: Snape/Dumbledore.  It's interesting 
because it contrasts with the relationship Harry has with 
Dumbledore.  (I don't buy the theory that Snape feels threaten by 
Harry's closeness to Dumbledore, mainly because the two relationships 
are entirely different matters.)
Snape/Dumbledore has a grown son and father relationship.  Dumbledore 
looked on with amusement (and exasperation) the way Snape acts but 
never 'order' him; he merely offers gentle advice, as an equal or an 
older, wiser man.  I think this is one of the most important 
relationship in the book and anxious to see how this would play out.  

> I had a weird thought. I think you must include Snape (and Lupin) 
in the
> father figure list.
<snip>

>Harry has several adult males in his life, who fulfill
> portions of the role of father. Dumbledore has the sense of power to
> him, someone who knows more, the source of answers and instruction.
> Sirius (and Lupin) are the companion, the person who comes to be 
your
> friend, too, as you mature. And Snape is the negative aspect. He's 
the
> one who doesn't understand, who sets curfews, who won't let you 
explain,
> the one you just *hate* and can't wait to move out of his house. I 
think
> together, these men are providing Harry with what he needs,
> emotionally---and you need the negative, as well as the positive. I
> doubt this is deliberate on their parts--I think it's just the way 
they
> each are--but I think this is how Harry's psyche is accepting them. 
He
> has not considered Snape a physical threat to him since the first 
book;
> he really reacts to him the way a boy does who does not get along 
with
> his father.
Yeah, the rebellious 'you just don't understand' teenage son and 
his 'you said you'll be back by 10, it's now 10:15' father.
I don't know whether this is deliberate but Snape's psyche, when 
intrepret broadly, does resemble a hot-tempered and interventionist 
father: He thinks he always knows best; he wants to dictate what 
Harry should do every single minute; he does not consider Harry 
capable of deciding what's best for himself and uses punishment to 
deter him; he does not suffer fool gladly (although I think this is 
just his character in general.)
 
> I think Harry has removed himself completely from any emotional
> connection with the Dursleys, so that Uncle Vernon doesn't even 
qualify
> for the negative father aspects. He's an adversary, plain and 
simple.
Agree completely.

> 
> --Amanda