Snape's (un)fair grading (just got long)

[junediamanti]

No: HPFGUIDX 74632

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "M.Clifford" 
<valkyrievixen at y...> wrote:
> Indifferent to this argument, really. Snape dropped the potion in a 
> deliberate act of spite. Cover schmover, what difference does one 
> exceeding pass make unless.... hmmm perhaps it would be prudent not 
> to let the dark side know Harry can make a real potion. (sarcasm 
> hint). Blow me over with a feather, Snape wants Harry to defeat the 
> Dark Lord! 
>  
> > In 
> > this respect his action is ambiguous - I mean, Snape-loathers can 
> > assume that he is a mean-spirited git, while at the same time 
> > Snape-lovers can assume that he knows perfectly well Harry has 
> achieved competence, but for reasons of policy must maintain the 
anti-
> Harry front by giving him a zero, secure in the knowledge that it 
> makes no difference to the important OWL results.
> 
> I am not a Snape loather. I call myself a realist. 
> Snapes mystery and secrecy could yet reveal he is no more than a 
> bitter retrousse who's reasons for being on the side of good are as 
> scathing and hate filled in detail as his manner as a teacher.
> The speculation that he is a deeply angsted sweet-heart who never 
> beleived with his being that the Dark Arts held no beauty is just 
> that, speculation. Let it not end, indeed. Snape-lovers have a 
place 
> on this list. Of intrigue in a character Snape is the King. 
> However the brand Snape-loather does not apply to everyone who 
> refuses to be overwhelmed by the instant compassion that arises 
from 
> theories of Snapes long lost love and other such.
> 
> What I am trying to relate is that the boundary you have drawn in 
> your above statement demonstrates a disregard for the truth.
> Indeed a Snape-lover !also! *could* assume that Snape is just a 
mean 
> spirited git. 

June: That's absolutely right.  It's the nastiness I find attractive 
about the character.  Before you write me off as weird, let me say 
that what we may find attractive or intriguing in a literary 
character are not necessarily characteristics we would like in real 
life.  Possibly the attraction to the character is because they are 
at the safe remove of a book and not in yer face. 
 
> On the other hand a 'Snape-loather' as you put it, if indeed a 
> loather of any of JKR's creations could possibly exist in HP 
fandom, 
> !also! *could* assume Snape is merely maintaining his anti-Harry 
> front. I am sure if we all did Snape fandom would simply overrun 
the 
> list and anyone who spoke ill of the mysterious man would be 
promptly 
> booted.
> Ok OK perhaps not so definately booted, but I have been lynched on 
> several occassions by the Snape camp. 
> The thing that sticks in my craw is the aggro.
> Heal the list Snape-Lovers. If you are so filled deeply with 
> compassion for the underdogs and the abused........... 
> Why so abusive?

Look no abuse!!
> 
> Back to the subject, someone who wanted to handle Snape without the 
> kid gloves and rose petals might actually agree with this statement 
> and yet still think it is unfair grading. Is that OK? Or does that 
> person deserve to have their own character ripped to shreds for it?
> 

Absolutely.  You have put it in a nutshell.  While sympathising with 
Snape and admitting he is my favourite character, I do not believe 
for a moment that all his nastiness is an act.  I do not think it 
possible for the most accomplished double agent to "act a part" for 
so many years. (Recommend anyone to read "A Perfect Spy" by Le Carre 
for a look at just how difficult it is to do this) I think the 
sarcasm is completely unfeigned - why? Because it's just too good and 
too unstudied.  I also think he is on the side of "good" though do 
not entirely subscribe to any of the prevailing theories as to why 
yet (more evidence needed I think).  The character obviously needs 
some fairly serious therapy (cognitive behaviour for choice) which 
seems to be woefully absent in the WW.  Yes I am appalled by his 
apparently awful childhood, yes I think the pensieve incident went 
way too far.  No I don't think those bad past experiences of 
themselves give anyone a legitimate excuse to behave like he does to 
Harry in Potions.  Plenty people manage to put dreadful childhoods 
behind them.  Basically, his behaviour is not normal  - this is one 
****** up individual.  What is needed before anyone can be sure what 
he is really up to is a fairly clear explanation from Dumbledore as 
to just why he trusts him and also a fairly clear retelling of his 
backstory (from an neutral or indifferent source) to see just what is 
going on.  The interest in the character is because of these issues, 
and not because he might be Cuddly!Snape! underneath.  

In summary:

Was he always gittish?
If not when did he become a git and why?
Why is he still a git?
And not, no he isn't a git really.

For the other Snape fans out there, none of this precludes a heroic 
resolution to his story, just that we need to add a strong dash of 
realism when considering the character.  And as a Snape fan, do I 
really want to see him go soft - no not really.  I'd like to see him 
sarcastic to the end.

Rubbish! He deliberately 
> caused Harry to recieve a failed grade in his class.
> Right or wrong that's what happened isn't it.

Yes - and even the most hardened Snape advocate cannot logically 
explain this as otherwise.  

June
> Valky.