Loving multiple characters exclusionary? (was: Re: Hermione and Snape)

[moongirlk]

No: HPFGUIDX 37587

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Bernadette M. Crumb" <kerelsen at q...> 
wrote:
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "naamagatus" <naama_gat at h...>
> 
> 
> > Naama, wondering whether you can only love Hagrid *or* Snape,
> but not
> > both
> 
> Well, I adore both characters.  I find both of them have a lot of
> potential for character analysis and speculation because they are
> both "mysterious."
> 

The more I mull this over, the more I feel like Hagrid and Snape are 
two sides of the same coin.  
-Both seem to suffer from a degree of arrested emotional 
development.  
-Both have physical descriptions that can arguably be described as 
somewhat repellant.
-Both (as I see it) seem to suffer from depression as well.  
-Both at least in part derive their sense of worth from Dumbledore's 
regard for them.
-Both rely on Dumbledore for their jobs, of course, but more so than 
most other teachers (except Lupin) because it's highly unlikely that 
anyone else would have trusted/hired them.  
-Each has either done or been accused of doing something illegal, and 
is mistrusted instinctively by certain people (Hagrid as a half-
giant, Snape as a former DE).  
-Both are highly loyal to, and in fact willing to risk their lives 
for Dumbledore and the cause, both without question.  
-Both are sent out on dangerous missions at the end of GoF (granted, 
along with others).  
-Both are lonely/alone/loners (at least up until Mme Maxime came 
along).
-Both have a (somewhat exaggerated) passion for their chosen field.
-Both are less than ideally effective at teaching their subjects 
nonetheless.
-Both knew all the major players in Harry's history.  
-Both have secrets to impart to him - Hagrid mostly in PS/SS, Snape 
mostly to come.

-Hagrid is generally kind with some frighteningly violent instincts 
for protecting those he loves (Think Karkaroff and the tree).  
-Snape is generally nasty with some startlingly noble instincts that 
cause him to protect those he despises.  

-Snape is highly intelligent, but with a tendency toward jumping to 
the wrong conclusion.  
-Hagrid is simple-minded, but with a tendency to give wise advice.  

-Snape is often the object of ridicule amongst the trio. 
-Hagrid is often the object of ridicule amongst their rivals.  

-Hagrid stayed good despite being accused of being bad.
-Snape became good despite having *been* bad.

So maybe it's no wonder people who like Snape have a tendency to 
dislike Hagrid and vice-versa.  Their world views are almost 
diametrically opposed, despite having a world of things in common.  
Their situations, surroundings, loyalties, etc. are very similar at 
this point in their lives, but the paths they've taken and the 
choices they've made are vastly different.  It's an interesting 
window onto human nature.  I am intrigued by both, admire both in 
their ways and love to read both, and a part of me (although not the 
same part of me in each case) would like to "help" both of them, but 
when it comes down to choosing who you'd want to hang around with if 
they were real people - I still like them both, but I imagine Snape 
wouldn't want me around anyway, and Hagrid's more suited to my way of 
thinking, so it's far easier.  His reactions are comprehensible to 
me, while Snape's seem strange.  For others, Hagrid seems childish 
and irrational and they'd rather be around a Snape.  

I just thought I'd toss that out, if it doesn't make sense to anyone 
outside of my own head, I apologize.

kimberly
who likes the term "two sides of the same coin" and wonders which of 
them would be heads and which tails.