A Sirius Offense, Round 2 (WAS a Sirius Defense, Round 2)

[siriusgeologist]

No: HPFGUIDX 35067

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "judyserenity" <judyshapiro at e...> wrote:
> 
> I think the death of his friends and witnessing the attack by 
> Pettigrew could trigger PTSD, yes.  But, Jo Serenadust had referred 
> specifically to his time in Azkaban, and that was what I was 
> responding to.  I also just don't think that the events of 
> Holloween 1981 would be likely to make him violent.
> 

Maybe it would make him violent, maybe not.  It certainly led to some 
sort of hysterical breakdown as told by Stan Shunpike.  That 
breakdown certainly wasn't healed by 12 years with the dementors.  
One of my pet theories...wholly unsubstantiated by any canon...is 
that one reason the dementors didn't effect Sirius was that he was 
already in a state of advanced depression by the time he got to 
Azkaban that dementor induced depression couldn't take as much hold 
on him.  

I guess where we are going with the whole PTSD thing is that it 
provides a mechanism for dissociation and therefore irrational 
behavior that may not be indicative of his true character.  NOt 
necessarily an excuse for his behavior, but a means of explaining the 
differing Sirius'. 

Snape has no such excuse for his abhorant behavior towards his 
students. His words and actions are carefully planned chosen to do 
the most damage.  Most of Sirius' anti-social behavior is completed 
in pursuit or other non-controlled situations.


> I said:
> > > Sirius is a wonderful guy -- nay, a saint -- except when he's 
> > > choking
> > > his godson, breaking a boy's leg, slashing everything in sight,
> > > feeding a classmate to a werewolf, or threatening to AK a former
> > > friend, which unfortunately is almost all we ever see him do.
> 
> Penny listed many other, better things Sirius has done:
> > 1.  Risking his life to save Harry...
> > 2.  Writing a permission note ... and giving an owl to Ron (seems 
a 
> > 3.  Writing concerned letters to his godson...
> > 4.  Leaving the safety of his tropical hiding place...
> > 5.  Risking detection by having a fireside chat with Harry ...
> > 6.  Keeping in constant contact with Harry & Dumbledore...
> > 7.  Demonstrating wisdom ...in his cave conversation with the Trio
> > 8.  The post-3rd Task scene in Dumbledore's office. 
> 
> Well, I admit my quote was exaggerated for dramatic effect.  
However, 
> I also believe that actions speak louder than words.  (This is one 
of 
> the reasons I think Snape isn't so bad; he says nasty things, but 
what 
> we've actually seen him *do* isn't so bad.) 

We've also never seen him in the rather desperate situations we've 
seen Sirius in.  We can imagine that Snape has been in desperate 
situations, but we've never seen him actually react...most of the 
scenes in which we've seen Snape have been rather controlled 
situations when he is an authority figure with a certain amount of 
power and control over that situation.  Very differnt from Sirius' 
position as a hunted virtually powerless wizard.

> Ok, so Sirius answers his 
> mail and makes some wise comments, but I don't see that as such a 
big 
> deal.  Heck, for all we know, Snape has lots of penpals, whom he 
> answers promptly, with sage advice.  Would that make you like him? 
>

Oh come on....the act of answering his mail is in itself a risk for 
Sirius.  Not so for Snape.  He's secure in his position at Hogwarts.  
It's not nearly the same thing. 

> Now, I will grant that Sirius shows real concern for Harry at 
various 
> points (like, when he isn't choking him), as evidenced by your 
points 
> 1, 4, and 5.  However, as I've said before, one thing that bothers 
me 
> about Sirius is that he acts as if only his friends count, and 
other 
> people don't. 

Have we really seen or heard what he did between Hogwarts and 
Azkaban.  I think that would tell volumes about whether you 
impression about Sirius is correct or not.  So far he's been 
interacting with only his friends out of necessity.  

> Penny, I get the feeling that it really matters to you whether 
people 
> like Sirius or not.  Why?
> 

It's not about whether you personally like or dislike a character.  
Its about the debate.  It's interesting to see your perspective and 
then counter your arguments.  It helps clarify my perceptions of this 
character and maybe point something out to someone who isn't as 
committed to disliking Sirius.  I don't think we'll ever say anything 
that would make you like his character...just as I don't think anyone 
will ever say anything to make me enjoy delving into Snapes 
character.  It's the thrill of the debate that keeps us here.

Carole