A detailed analysis of Snape's hatred of Harry (S.N.O.T.)

[eudaemonia_splinched <splinched@hotmail.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 49104

Ack! So many good points and things to think about, but here's 
something I'd like to respond to in a drive-by-posting:

Eloise said:

Snape has a big problem with Harry's fame, IMO. I think it's very 
hard for him that the child of the man he hated is famous for 
defeating Voldmort as a helpless baby, when he had risked so much to 
try to achieve the same end, failing and ending up *teaching* of all 
things. I don't think he wants fame and glory, but I think he 
*craves* recognition.

I think he also sees fame as a fickle friend. Dumbledore tried to 
protect Harry from its effects by placing him with the Dursleys. I 
think Snape sees it as part of his role to counteract the instant 
celebrity that he gets when he arrives at Hogwarts. Unfortunately he 
doesn't understand Harry's character and assumes that his head will 
be swelled by fame (as perhaps his own would have been?)

I say:

I think fame and reputation is a big part of why Snape dislikes Harry 
so much. It seems to me he's been a victim of prejudices of 
reputation from the start. Sirius said that he knew more of the Dark 
Arts than any 7th year when Snape first arrived at Hogwarts -- does 
that automatically mean he practices it? Knowing the danger is a good 
way to counter-attack, isn't it? And currently he's been known to be 
after the DADA job -- and he still hasn't gotten it despite the fact 
that it's the hardest position to replace. They couldn't have 
switched him over and gotten a new potions instructor instead? He 
probably sees Harry's inherited popularity (whether it was from 
James' own school Big Man On Campus status or from the end of 
Voldemort) through bitter eyes and would do all that he could to 
prove Harry is otherwise, just as he is trying to do for himself. 

I don't think he was ever really evil. Reputation can pressure a 
person into becoming what others think of him instead of what he 
really was/is. I think that's how he's been partial to Slytherins and 
why he ever became a Death Eater in the first place - they're the 
only ones to ever accept him and his talents. But there's a limit to 
how much a person can be pressured. Snape must've found his limit in 
giving in to prejudices since he'd left the Death Eaters and decided 
to side with Dumbledore.


*_* my 2 knuts,
Eu