[HPforGrownups] Re: Neville/Snape Question

[Laura Huntley]

No: HPFGUIDX 38105


Marina Said:
> I don't think he's doing it just to be mean.  I think Snape has zero
> tolerance for people he considers to be stupid or incompetent,
> particularly when their incompetence presents a danger.  I also 
think
> he has no sympathy for other peoples' human weaknesses, and no
> interest in excuses.  If he knows about Neville's situation, he
> probably thinks Neville should suck it up and deal.

And this is not the definition of being mean? If Snape is unfamiliar with situations where it is impossible/unhealthy to "suck it up and deal" or experience "human weaknesses" then he's a tad bit more sheltered than the other survivors of Voldy's first reign.  If he *has* dealt with these situations, the brave, strong thing to do would be to understand Neville - not harass him.

However, I strongly believe that Severus Snape is a coward.  A big, fat, jelly-legged, yellow-bellied coward with a cherry on top.

I don't care what he did "at great personal risk", it means nothing to me. In his daily, normal life he is nothing but a bully who picks on people who are defenseless against him -- and *not* defenseless because they are weak -- defenseless because they are his *responsibility* -- *children* who were entrusted to him with good faith, who cannot/do not defend themselves because they have the *decency* not to attack a teacher.

Honestly, if that man ever said the things he does to me and my friends, I doubt I would have the self restraint not to do something about it.  Sometimes suffering in silence takes the most bravery at all.

And what about Harry?  If anyone maintains a "stiff upper lip" despite his problems, it's Harry.  And yet Snape attacks him the same as Neville.  Harry may not hand him so much easy ammunition (poor Neville is just a walking target for Snape), but it's the same cowardly viciousness in Snape that targets him as well as Neville.

And Hermione -- she's anything but weak, but that doesn't keep Snape from being dastardly towards her.

In my opinion, Snape is mean -- nay, cruel -- because that's just his personality.  He's like those nasty girls in grade school who were absolutely horrid to you because they were insecure.  It's not really personal, it's just them.

Although, IMHO, that's no excuse for Snape.  If he can't handle being in an authority position, then he shouldn't be trying.

*has gotten a little worked up* aigh. sorry.  He just upsets me.  There's nothing that rubs my fur the wrong way more than an abuse of power.  It makes me sick.  And I know that no one can really be a perfect authority figure -- but he doesn't even *try*.  He *owes* it to the people beneath him to TRY.  Everyone with power does.

laura  


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