[HPforGrownups] Re: JKR, Harry Potter, and the Nature of Evil

[Magda Grantwich]

No: HPFGUIDX 19695

> But it may be that discovering proof of the wizarding world's
> total dependence on Muggles for survival was what brought Snape 
> around and convinced him that Voldemort must be opposed...


I suspect that Snape became a DE for the same reasons that many young
men (he would have been in his late teens at the very most) join
gangs.  They are looking for acceptance, support, something bigger
than themselves that they can belong to and work for.  Looking cool
to chicks is a plus as well.

Whatever event was the catalyst for Snape's turning against V., it
was probably the culmination of an internal emotional process where
he realized he had been wrong about the benefits of DE-ship.  Since
his personality didn't really change, he simply substituted
Dumbledore in place of V. as his leader and switched sides.  Danger
would not have mattered so much; I do think Snape would view dying on
behalf of the cause as an acceptable (if not desirable) fate.

Snape's big challenge will come if (when?) Dumbledore dies and he has
to choose sides abstract rather than a personal reasons.  If the Good
Guys are lead by Harry Potter, would that have an effect on his
decision?

If he chooses the Good Guys, he will have completed his own
maturation twenty years too late but not soon enough.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices
http://auctions.yahoo.com/