Snape's "mind set?"

[i_am_erasmas]

No: HPFGUIDX 44115

"freya122000" <rlundgren at g...> wrote:
 I belive that everything Snape does, he does with a purpose.  

I'm really having a problem trying to understand what books all the 
Snape apologists have read. It couldn't possibly be the same ones I 
read.

I love the depth of Snape's character, but I think he is a 
reprehensible person. Probably very brave, definitely cunning, likely 
admirable and deserving respect for the sacrifices he has made and 
will continue to make, but how do people actually like him?

I know there's a huge following of Snape fic writers that love to 
invent ways for Snape to love and be loved. I think they're 99% 
delusional, and that the majority of them are unduly influenced by 
their attraction to Alan Rickman. I can sort of understand this but 
those are fics and this is supposed to be a discussion of theories 
about the books, is it not?

I can understand that there could be very good reasons for Snape to 
put on an act to make the children fear him, or dislike him, or think 
he's unfair, but he goes much further than that. So, for those of you 
that believe Snape is acting purposefully, I invite you to come up 
with a plausible reason for Snape to act the way he does in these 
scenes:

1. PoA - Snape's Grudge

The one on one interview with Harry -- deliberately taunting Harry 
about James. Whether he has a good reason to hate James or not, what 
purpose could this possibly serve. Bear in mind that he is talking to 
a 13 year old orphan boy about his dead parents. 

2. GoF - Hermione's Teeth

Mocking a young girl about a physical attribute that she's sensitive 
about. This isn't severety, or favouritism, it is cruelty, with no 
purpose but the joy of seeing a child hurt.

3. PoA - Remus Revelation

Clearly Snape and the rest of the staff were expected to keep quiet 
about Lupin being a werewolf. Him telling the Slytherins about it 
would be hard to explain with anything other than childish revenge 
for spoiling his misguided plans. 

It boggles my mind, really, that so many HP fans can get past these 
things. 

In a way I can understand how he treats Neville (presumably 
a "character building" excercise. 

He clearly has a poor understanding of Harry's character, even in the 
fourth year, since he continues to attack Harry's presumed quest for 
glory. Most of his attacks on Harry in class fall far from the mark 
because they are a mere annoyance. The only times he gets a rise out 
of Harry is when he attacks the character of his parents. 

It seems that a lot of the theories I've seen about Snape have gone 
way beyond an explanation of what has been shown so far in the books. 
I guess all I'm asking is that before more theories come out that 
provide a basis for Snape's behavior, take a good look at the 
behavior and don't just make a theory that explains why he is stern 
and doesn't shower. 

Erasmas