[HPforGrownups] Re: Grey laundry - depression

[The Crashing Boar]

No: HPFGUIDX 76862


  From: jazmyn 

  <<snip>>I think the grey laundry is just a sign that he was from a poor family. 
     There's nothing to make me believe that Snape wears velvet and silk.. 
  Its just not something I feel he would do.  I see him as suffering depression, withdrawing from contact with others because he is unable to develop close relationships. This is a problem linked to depression. 
  There is plenty of canon to support it. He was unpopular and an outcast  as a student, he was a Death Eater, then turned spy for whatever reason, perhaps because he found the DEs were not 'real friends' and were only using him.  He doesn't feel a part of the 'family' in the order and doesn't hang out with them any longer then it takes to make a report. He  prowls the halls by night.. Depression can cause sleeplessness.  He tends to not take care of his teeth and hair, more symptoms of depression.<<snip>>

  _________________

  Whilst I agree that Snape displays symptoms of a depressive nature, I can't agree with all of your reasoning, and some of it is a little self contradictory.  

  If he was such an outsider or an outcast, there was no way he could have been inducted into a group which was formed and operated in secrecy and which therefore had to have at least a minimal level of 'trust' between its members (if only 'I trust you to stick a knife in my back the moment I show weakness, and vice versa').  If he became disillusioned with the attitude of the other DEs towards him, he wouldn't immediately turn to another group which he takes mortal risks for with no acknowledgement of, or acceptance for, his efforts, he would just try to withdraw and become less of a target.  Most of the Order actively show they are using him, don't like him, and are not his friends, so what would be the attraction, if those were the reasons he decided to betray LV and the DEs?

  As for his physical appearance, he has obviously put a lot of effort into it.  He no longer hunches or moves like a scuttling spider, but protects himself with an intimidating stance, attitude and way of dressing.  The point is the hair and teeth don't completely fit with this image he has built, and seems reasonably obssesive to maintain.  If he lets the image slip because of depression, then it is highly likely the clothing would suffer too, and I think Harry and co. would be quick to make comment about stains (which would still still show on black), tears and patches.  They noticed them on Lupin, before they decided he was a nice guy, and Malfoy and the like certainly made comment.

  We have seen that Snape can get very impassioned about things, if only about things concerning him personally, and so he obviously has highs as well as lows, and it would be likely that during the highs he would take better care if himself, and the suddenly spruced up Snape would not go uncommented amongst the student body.  We have no indication this happens, so I tend to believe that the hair and teeth are either a sign of a different underlying problem (like the lead poisoning I mentioned in the golden cauldron thread) or else are being specifically cultivated by Snape for some unfathomable reason - they certainly don't fit with the powerful, self reliant and intimidating image his stance, demeanour and clothing project.

  As for silks and other sensual stimuli, several friends of mine who suffer from clinical depression to one degree or another find that luxury fabrics (specifically silks and velvets) have a very positive affect on them.  Maybe when he feels all the WW is against him, Snape puts on a silk shirt under the robes, and tells himself he is better than they say, and worth it?  I see nothing wrong with this idea, and again, it does fit the image.

  Dawn


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