The "face-value" theory of PoA -- now with shiny acronym! (LONG)

[marinafrants]

No: HPFGUIDX 45383

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "dumbledore11214" <dumbledore11214 at y...>
wrote:
 
> I am not sure whether it is metathinking or not, but I feel that 
> Magic Dishwasher takes from Snape the opportunity for further 
> emotional growth (getting over old grudges :o)) and I like him (and 
> Sirius) too much to agree with this interpretation.
> Alla

It is metathinking, but hey, that's peachy!  Here at the PRESSURE
COOKER kitchen (where we make George wash all the dishes by hand), we
consider metathinking to be an honorable and invaluable tool, to be
neglected at one's peril.  Snape's character arc, and the progression
of his relationships with other characters, is part of canon, His
handshake with Sirius at the end of GoF foreshadows the likelyhood
that the two of them will be foreced to work together and eventually
will achieve some level of mutual understanding and acceptance (even
though they'll probably despise each other to the end of their days). 
The impact of such emotional development will be lessened if Snape's
displays of irrational hatred in PoA were not genuine.

The same thing goes for Snape's developing relationship with Harry. 
If you take away Snape's actions in PoA, the the only reason Harry has
to hate Snape is that Snape is really mean to him and his friends in
Potions class.  For a kid, this is more than enough reason.  But as
Harry grows older, and the stakes become higher, classroom taunts are
going to start seeming pretty insignificant.  The one solid, seemingly
insurmountable that blocks any path to understanding between Harry and
Snape is Snape's attempt to feed Sirius (and Lupin) to the Dementors. 
It would be far too easy if the whole thing could be explained away
with "oh, he was only pretending."

Marina
rusalka at ix.netcom.com