Let's hear it for good old Snapey!

[Barry Arrowsmith]

No: HPFGUIDX 87781

Holiday commitments plus severe over-indulgence mean that I have been 
away from the site for a week or so and that I've had to spend some 
time catching up on the postings made by the more conscientious 
members. Consequently I've missed out on the bun-fight over our Sevvy 
and his attitudes, behaviour, principles and motives.

That's a pity. Much as I  love the HP series I'm of the  opinion that 
Snape is the only fully three-dimensional character in there. I also 
suspect  that his character is so finely  drawn for a reason; that much 
that happens from now on will revolve around him. He'll be drawn even 
more to centre stage. Goody!

As a proto-typical boring old fart (and proud of it), I get a bit 
exercised when Sevvy gets accused of bullying, mental abuse and 
"lacking people skills," whatever that may mean.
The idea that no child should be exposed to disappointment, sarcasm or 
criticism seems ludicrous. That would result in pretty poor preparation 
for adult life IMO.  Mind you, it's been some years since I last sat 
staring at a blackboard, so maybe things have changed, but I've always 
been under  the impression that the subject to  be taught and the 
standards expected of the students were not open to discussion between 
pupils and teachers. The  concept of an ignorant, uninformed, 
uneducated adolescent having worthwhile opinions on matters of which 
they know nothing is laughable.
Or is it different these days? Maybe it is, since some posters keep 
insisting that Harry should not be held to account for his failings.

For the most part we see the Potterverse from Harry's viewpoint. Fair 
enough, the books are mostly about him after all. Try switching the 
viewpoint. Look at it from Snape's angle.

Harry is an obstreperous, obstructive, argumentative, stubborn, 
disobedient, idle little sneak. To prove it, all Snape need do is 
review the past behaviour of young Potter.
He doesn't listen, he doesn't follow instructions and he seems to think 
he has the right to demand justifications for complying with almost 
everything he dislikes. Harry thinks he knows best when he patently 
doesn't. Naturally this is anathema to Snape, but it never occurs to 
Harry at all; he whines and argues and doesn't get on with doing what 
is necessary.

Some may argue that Snape should explain more. Why? Do you think it 
would make any difference? Harry sees Snape in personal terms only; no 
matter how much Snape tried Harry would still have to be dragged 
kicking and screaming to (reluctant) cooperation. Harry does not like 
Snape and that is a good enough reason for stubborn resistance so far 
as Harry is concerned.

Snape doesn't  much like Harry either, but I doubt if he hates him. 
He's too intelligent for that. He knows that whatever happened with 
James had nothing to do with Harry. So when Dumbledore requests that he 
give up his own time to tutor Harry in much-needed skills, he does so 
and doesn't moan about it. Only when he sees that it is totally 
pointless does he throw Potter out. He tried, Harry didn't. And so 
Sirius died. But Harry will never blame himself, will he? It's always 
someone else's fault.

I think it was Arcum (apologies if I'm wrong) who stated that Snape was 
"...in it for his own purposes." That's been my opinion for a long 
time. (See 69509, though you may not agree with my reason why, the 
basic argument stands up, I think.) Snape has a massive grudge against 
Voldy and joining up with the Order is the best, maybe the only way to 
get his revenge. That's why DD isn't worried about him, he understands 
his motivation. He also understands that Snape is acting a part. He 
can't  appear too sympathetic to DD, the Order or Harry; that wouldn't 
fit the image he projects to Malfoy and the DEs. It could end up very 
badly for him if they suspected that  he was a mole for DD. "Don't wear 
  your heart on your sleeve" is a tenet Snape lives by - he has to. 
Another poster  pointed to the number of times Snape had tried to get 
Harry expelled as an indicator of his hatred. Really? Who does he 
always voice this opinion to? Dumbledore. Do you think that he expects 
DD to take any notice? Of course not. So why do it? All part of the 
persona  Snape is showing to the world. Act the part. It's sound and 
fury, signifying nothing. Those two may be the best double-act in the 
Wizarding World.

So my advice is to ignore the obvious (always advisable when JKR shoves 
it in your face) and wonder why does ole Sevvy act the way he does. 
It's liable to be much more productive  than writing him off as a 
mindless bully. He'll be a hero yet. Bets?

Kneasy