Snape as Teacher

[alexpie at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 32802

In a message dated 1/4/02 10:32:58 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com writes:


> I don't think Snape is a dofus at all. I like Snape because I 
> consider him sort of, 'intelligent' because he manages to excel both 
> in Potions and Dark Arts. But yes, I think he's mean not only to 
> Harry and his friends but the rest of his students (~but perhaps some 
> Slytherins too~). One question that bugged me is: "Why did he teach 
> students in the first place?

Actually, Snape, in some ways, reminds of a friend of mine who coached 
hockey.  The coach in question was in the Hockey Hall of Fame, wanted to 
convey what he knew, and simply could *not* understand players who could not 
play as well as he did during his career(to reverse an old saying, do as I 
did, not as I say).  I think that Snape just becomes very frustrated with 
students who don't have the skill or patience to purse potions in the way he 
would like (not forgetting the prejudice against Gryffindor).  As far as the 
Barney Fife comparison is concerned...Barney was inept but lovable.  Snape is 
the reverse of both, although a good man in the end, I think.
Barbara


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]