Why readers love Snape

[mlfrasher at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 33419

Hello all!  Honestly, I didn't know how much I actually liked 
Snape until this discussion hit.  It's my first post, so don't 
be gentle.  :>

LesAJa wrote [edited]:

>I don't know if Snape still needs to be saved or redeemed, 
>because hadn't he already done this by hisself? He could stand 
>for that the possibility does exist to overcome ones inner dark 
>side, to successfully start a new life.  This does not mean that 
>everything's a pink paradise after that, there will be still things 
>to struggle with, and the things done in the past have scared ones 
>life. Although Snape is not beloved in the books, he shows that it is
>possible to survive and stand upright after all.

I was so relieved to see this commentary, as I have a slightly 
different view of the good vs. evil philosophy.  I tend to lean 
towards ppl who aren't afraid of their "dark sides".  I don't think 
that ppl who understand it, recognize it, and use it are bad.  That's 
too much of a black and white analysis.  I do, however, think that ppl 
who revel in it and define themselves by it are weak.  This is why 
strictly two dimensional characters in literature and life, are boring, predictable, and usually get the axe.  Which is why I think this is key 
to Snape, and incidentally the existence of the whole Slytherin House.

Snape, as many of you have stated here, is indeed a powerful wizard 
and is intelligent to say the least.  I believe he recognizes his power, 
is proud of it, and is strong enough to have 'learned' to control it.  
That to me, is strength, and you can have it with the dark undertones, 
just as a completely good wizard could perceivably be blinded by goodness 
and fall victim to it.  

Snape is complex and introverted.  I don't excuse his rudeness and 
obvious Schadenfreude in torturing some students, but if he wasn't 
at least a bit of an arrogant bastard, much of his character would be
gone.  Being a former DE, and carrying the type of baggage he obviously 
has, Snape has a heavy load on his shoulders.  He's probably killed and 
maimed ppl, and now he's on the 'to be killed' list of Voldemort (or at 
least suspects this at the end of GoF).  If he was bubbly and happy, I'd 
be concerned.  How many ppl in the HP universe could understand what he's 
done, and is going through?  Dumbledore does comprehend this complexity 
and that's why I think there's a mutual respect there.  Although, I think 
Snape has a disgust for being in debt to anyone and that's his ego and 
proud nature coming through.  However, I also think he's smart enough not 
to let that get in the way of his friendships with ppl who he does respect (Dumbledore, again.) Heck, if I were Snape, I'd be surly too, and probably 
have little patience for a lot of things.  Not an excuse, but it does 
explain much.

Which leads into the existence of Slytherin House.  This has been discussed 
here and in other forums, and through JKR.  Members of SH are said to be 
smart and powerful and we have already been told in CoS that personal 
decisions play a definite part in one's destiny.  This might suggest that 
Slytherins are Gryffindors who use the dark to their advantage, but the best 
Slytherins know how much and when to use it.  It almost seems that 
Gryffindors turn their noses up at DADA or fear it.  (Just a general 
impression I'm getting as I think about this at this second -- discuss.)  I 
mean someone posted that Harry is the only one who actually seeks out DADA 
lessons and perfects it.  (OK, so he *has* to because he is HP and all, but 
shouldn't all wizards get to know this part of their powers well?)

Just my two Galleons (I'm too high maintenance for knuts ;)) on why Slytherin 
is so important and why Hogwarts has the House.  Sure, a lot of them go 
"bad", but it's interesting that Snape, with the above commentary in mind, is 
head of SH.

>For those who have romantic feelings for him but don't belong to the group
>who wants to "save" him, he could be someone who appreciates the dark inside
>of someone and perhaps love this person.  Although I would not like to see 
>Snape fall in love with a sweet little woman and turn to be a merry man, I 
>think that he is able to love because he does have strong emotions and 
>therefore is not coldhearted.

Yes!  Personally, this is they type of person I'd like to get to know.  I 
would imagine one could learn a lot from him and he would be a test to the 
intellect and the senses.  If you were lucky enough to be an 'equal' it would 
be a mutually beneficial relationship (platonic, which would be more 
interesting, I think, or otherwise).  'Saving' this man?  I don't think he 
needs to be saved.  If a woman approached him with that attitude, I believe 
that she would fail to get even a simple response.  He doesn't need to be 
saved.  Relationship wise, he probably hasn't found anyone worth the effort.  
Like any person, or any character, you'd need to identify and appreciate 
their experiences to have any kind of relationship.

Perhaps debunking this notion that dark sides have no other use than to be 
hated and destroyed is the 'lesson', dare I say it, that Snape and SH are 
there to suggest.

That's about all I could come up with for now.  Hope this makes sense.

garaeta