Why Snape Taught Occlumency (was: Is Lupin skilled at Legilimency?)

[Matt]

No: HPFGUIDX 77750

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "whimsyflower"
<profwildflower at m...> wrote:
> 
> I think there are a few ways JKR advanced the 
> plot by having Snape begin Occlumency lessons 
> with Harry.  First, I'm not sure Harry would 
> have seen his father's and Sirius' tormenting 
> Snape if Harry looked into Lupin's mind.  I 
> think this is an important piece of information 
> for Harry. 
> . . . . . 
> Another thing the Occlumency lessons do is give
> Snape a glimpse of Harry's vunerabilities.  For 
> better or worse, Snape now has direct knowledge 
> of events during which Harry felt scared and 
> jealous.

I agree: Those lessons just *have* to be critical in developing the
relationship between Harry and Snape, even though neither of them
manages to develop much resulting empathy in OP.  Harry is eventually
going to find it impossible to blame Snape for hating James.  And
Snape now knows (and will eventually process the fact) that Harry is
*not* really so much like James, particularly the parts of James'
character and background that Snape most hated.  Harry hasn't been the
star all his life, as James seems to have been (indeed, Harry has much
more frequently been the target of discrimination, bullying and
derision) and he has never much enjoyed star treatment when he does
get it.  Along those particular lines, Harry arguably has more in
common with Snape than with James.