Snape's rationality

[marinafrants <rusalka@ix.netcom.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51055

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Scott Northrup" <snorth at u...> 
wrote:
> 
> PS: I've noticed some 'Snape and Respect' posts popping up.  I'd 
just like
> to say one thing- I think that people should be given the benefit 
of the
> doubt; you lose your  respect for a person when they show that 
they no
> longer deserve your respect.  Now, if after 4 books, you still 
think Snape
> deserves Harry's respect... well, then you must be a very, erm...
> 'respectful' person.

Well, respect doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing proposition.  I 
think Snape's courage and his principled commitment to Dumbledore's 
cause deserve respect, a fact that Harry is only just beginning to 
realize at the end of GoF.  But his cruel and unfair teaching 
methods don't deserve respect, and Harry is right to resent them.  
Of course, it's very difficult to simultaneously respect one aspect 
of a person's character and despise another.  I'm really looking 
forward to seeing Harry struggle with that in OoP.

Marina
rusalka at ix.netcom.com