Snape the Father

[archgarchus]

No: HPFGUIDX 38001

Dear Everyone,

  Nice discussion we got here. Let me first say that I appreciate 
Amanda's well-researched archive hunt for Father/Snape references. 
And no, I am not out of my mind (at least I don't think so). Anyways, 
let me clarilfy...

 Yes, Snape is the negative father. He's the one who yells at you for 
getting an F, for coming in late, etc... Yet, with time you come to 
understand that as much as you may have resented it, this "father" 
was acting only in your own interest. That is part of the maturation 
process and it is why I believe that it is only in Book 7 (the 
concluding book, the most mature that we will ever see Harry) that 
Harry will understand that Snape is not the heartless wonder he 
appears to be. In fact, the story will be even more poignant when 
Snape's true motivations will be revealed. Just because a father 
figure is not "Ward Cleaver" does not mean that he is not a father 
figure.

Archgarchus