[HPforGrownups] Teaching methods was ( Re: Petunia)

[Irene Mikhlin]

No: HPFGUIDX 41190

Naama wrote:


> Anyway, I don't think that the "oh, but it's just Harry's POV"
> argument is fair. Since the whole story is told (more or less) from
> Harry's POV, then we should either discredit the integrity of any and
> every fact or description we are told of, or accept the whole lot.

I do accept his facts. But the bit that Dumbledore forced Snape to
pass him is pure speculation. If Dumbledore could do that,
why doesn't he force Snape to be fair in points allocation?

>Furthermore, we don't see *any* improvement in Neville's performance
>in potions. He *doesn't* get better because he is stressed, he
>*doesn't* get better because his pet is threatened. The picture we
>get is of Neville continuing in potions as bumbling, nervous and
>inept. I mean, if JKR wanted Snape to have some underlying motive to
>his bullying, she did a very bad job in presenting it to the reader,
>didn't she?

It's difficult to know with her what is intentional and what is
an accident. Did she plan for Snape to have fans to start with?
Did she plan for the number of readers who dislike Hagrid?
If not, is it a failure?

Back to teaching methods, my math teacher used negative
motivation, like "Here is a problem, I'm sure none of you dunderheads
can do it". Some people had an excellent natural reaction to it -
strait to work, all eager to prove him wrong. My natural reaction
is to put my pen away and sulk, and it took a long time to overcome it.
If he was a nicer teacher, would I have a happier time or better grades
in the lessons? Definitely.
Would it matter now, so many years down the road? Absolutely
not. But the lesson of how to make a good use of your anger is
still useful and I was thankful to the mean bastard many times
during those years.

>
> Naama, who wonders how many fans Snape would have had if he had a pug
> instead of a hooked nose <veg>

Well, JKR still has an opportunity to reduce the numbers. If, for example,
she will tell us that his motives are nothing more than 20-year old jealousy
of James's quidditch skill - no amount of aquiline noses or swishing robes
will keep me among his fans. :-)

Going back to poor Petunia - well, I can't love her cause
I don't play for that team, but I can find some understanding
for her. Not for the way she treats Harry, but how she became
the way she is.
Imagine your sister going away to the magical world,
and your parents obviously not doing  a very good job to
showing you how you're still special for them. And what is
the best way to console yourself about something you can't
get? It's to become convinced you wouldn't want it anyway,
it's useless, rotten and otherwise green and sour. ;-)
That's Petunia and magic as I see it.
Yeah, she could use a love of a good man. <g>

Irene