[HPforGrownups] Snape? A father figure? Ewwwwww

[Amanda]

No: HPFGUIDX 37985

Siriusgeologist said, surely knowing I would leap in:

> But might I respectfully say, ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?  SNAPE A
> FATHER FIGURE, to HARRY?????

Okay. I took about fourteen hours and searched the message archives <note to
self: throw nonwashable-paint-and-Nair-filled water balloon at designer of
Yahoo message search engine>.

I lifted pertinent thoughts from two of mine, to save you all having to deal
with the Search Engine From Hell. For the intrepid, I do give the message
numbers, and I'd strongly urge the truly interested to look up the messages
and check out the responses--these were a couple of really interesting
threads.

A clarification, by the way--Snape as a father figure, at least in my usage
of this phrase, refers to Snape filling some aspect of the role in Harry's
psyche, whether perceived consciously or not. I am not talking about Snape
being aware of this or casting himself in this role.

First quoted message, #14593 (3-18-01):

I had a weird thought. I think you must include Snape (and Lupin) in the
father figure list. Let me explain!!! I'm not *just* a Snape loony.

I have a book called "Gift of an Eagle" or something like that, about a
man who had a trained golden eagle--it was the whole from egg-to-release
story. This was the eagle who appeared in several (oddly named) True
Life Adventures by Disney, and some "Lassie" episodes, etc. ANYway, this
eagle adored her trainer, giving him many behaviors observed by eagles
with their mates, and detested the trainer's son, attacking him at any
opportunity. The author (the son) speculated that part of the reason
this eagle thrived so when in captivity was the broad range of "normal"
behaviors she was able to experience--having a mate, defending her
territory from the enemy (the son), etc.

Harry's character reminds me of this eagle--in an artificial situation,
transferring behaviors to those who can support the role. I think that
the relationship between a father and a son is tremendously complex, and
must of necessity have both postive and negative aspects for a balanced
maturity. 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.

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.
<end quoted message>

Susan McGee (Schlobin) responded in this thread, by the way, that she
perceived Hagrid as a fraternal, not paternal role, which resonates with me.
Harry identifies too much with Hagrid for Hagrid to be truly paternal; more
like an older brother.

Second quoted message, #27617 (10-13-01):

I spotted this thread during a tiptoe through the archives, and thought
I'd bring it back up since it's been rather a while, and new thoughts on
this might be fun.

This came up during a discussion of family-substitutes that Harry has
bonded to--Molly as a mother figure, of course, but the discussions of
father figure got interesting. Here, as I recall, was the rundown [his
own parents are in the mix, but only as ideals, not real people he
associates with]:

Hagrid--not really paternal. More of an adult friend; perhaps fraternal.
Harry's right at the age when children start having friends who are
non-related adults.
Dumbledore--father figure, but remote. Respected, loved, even revered,
but not terribly close. Nobody you ask for the car keys, if you know
what I mean.
Arthur Weasley--father figure, more intimate. Respected, but not revered
as Dumbledore is; the everyday, useful father, the advice-n-counsel,
have-a-beer-with dad.
Here was the one I got flak for, and would like thoughts on the most:
Snape. Father figure, mostly the negative connotations. The aspect of
father that you rebel against, the one who sets curfews, who doesn't
listen, who just doesn't understand, who doesn't even want to, the one
you come to appreciate only much, much later. Resented, but respected.
This is the sort of relationship where a bond grows, but when (sometimes
if) discovered, comes as a surprise, even a shock.

I thought that Harry has nicely covered all the aspects of father in
these characters, and by separating the different paternal functions
like that, is free to have stronger associations with these men--he's
not resenting one man one day, loving that same man the next--the
reactions to each aspect are separated; they are different men.
<end second quote>

I always think I said things better the first time, and in this case I'm
glad I didn't try to recap and found you all the originals.

Sorry about the length; let me know what you think.

--Amanda, premier Snapologist