Neville/Snape Question

[marinafrants]

No: HPFGUIDX 38134

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "anavenc" <asilaite at h...> wrote:

> I (and many other people *g*) always thought that Snape's nasty 
> attitude is caused by self-loathing.  He makes sure that people
start 
> hating him on his own terms, way before they see his repulsive (he 
> thinks) true face and run away in horror. A neurotic way to deal
with 
> the fear of rejection, IMO.

It's a valid theory -- I can definitely see how people might think
that -- but it's not the sense I get from Snape.  I do think he feels
a great deal of guilt for his DE past, but I don't think this guilt
has translated into self-loathing.  To me Snape comes across as
someone who's quite aware of his own worth -- his intelligence, his
potions expertise, his loyalty to Dumbledore's cause -- and who
resents that other people don't respect these more.  (FWIW, I think
he's aware of many of his flaws, too, but doesn't consider them
important.  "Yeah, I'm mean to people.  Get over it!  Or, better yet,
take the hint and GO AWAY!")  I don't think Snape gives a crap about
being liked, but he does seem to care about being respected -- and to
think that he deserves respect.

Marina
rusalka at ix.netcom.com