Sweetgeorgianism

[jklb66]

No: HPFGUIDX 35561

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Edblanning at a... wrote:
> The Steady State theory 
> 
> The essential point is that Snape is complicated: his change in 
> allegience comes not from a change in his essential nature, but 
>from a growing awareness of what that nature is.
> The defection to Dumbledore results from a growing self-awareness, 
>a realisation that he does believe in good and evil. Catalysts may 
>have taken place, but are not necessary.
> Snape doesn't actually *enjoy* being on the 'Light' side, he is 
>there out of conviction, though his temperament militates against it.
[Snip}
>He had to make a decision of which side to ally himself with. He 
>went with his upbringing, having found the alternative no better. 
>But *living* his decision showed him his mistake. Yes, there may 
>have been a catalyst, just as the Prank may have been a 
> catalyst, but I think it was the cumulative effects of living a 
>life which sat ill at ease with his complicated soul. Because the DE 
>philosophy *is* simplistic. That's why they seem black to us, not 
>grey. [Snip] and we have noted that 'Light' characters are actually 
noted for their greyness. 
 
> Because Snape is a principled man and one who acts from conviction, 
>he has no alternative but to change sides. But he doesn't really 
>*like* it [Snip]
> I've said before, I think that the sarcastic, cruel remarks etc are 
>also a bit of a safety valve.
> Eloise

Beautifully expressed, Eloise!  Would anyone else like to vote for 
Severus as the character most worthy of pity.  The poor thing is 
forced by his own conscience to be a good person when he'd be SO much 
happier as a really rotten b*****d.  

And what's Snape's reward? He's stuck taching "dunderheads" like 
Longbottom to brew potions.  Potter torments him by breaking the 
rules and getting away with it.  A map insults him. Dumbledore 
smiles when Severus's archenemy escapes a date with a dementor.  And 
McGonagall gets to lord it over him that Gryffindor keeps winning the 
house cup! 

Sign me up as a full member of S.W.E.E.T.G.E.O.R.G.I.A.N.I.S.M.  I 
too believe that Snape's moral development was probably a gradual 
process.  It was probably helped along by numerous catalysts, but not 
by a few "Big Bang" events.  

What would I say to Severus if I got to meet him?  "It's a good thing 
I admire you so much, because if I didn't, I'd really loathe you."

Oh, and while we're on the subject of our favorite potionsmaster.  
Reread his first speech to Harry's class in PS/SS.  "You are here to 
learn the subtle science..."  The man has the soul of a poet!  Now if 
only he'd wash his hair...