OoP(Spoilers) Snape as teacher

[darrin_burnett]

No: HPFGUIDX 66943

Diana: 
> 
> If that were the case, I would be a master chef. <g>  I can certainly follow
> a recipe in a recipe book, as can most people, but what about in cases 
where
> you have to substitute ingredients?  Come up with something new?  Fix a
> problem?  It takes talent and training to become a master chef, and I 
assume
> it would also take talent and training to become a potion master.  And it
> obviously takes more than just the ability to follow instructions to make a
> decent potion or else *everyone* would get an O on their Potions Owl.


I think you're right that it takes more than the ability to follow instructions to 
make a decent potion.

But the problem is, I don't see Snape trying to instill this ability. His lesson 
plan seems to be to have the students follow instructions. 

Granted, some of the instructions seem to be incredibly complicated, but 
nothing a calm and clear-headed student couldn't handle.

EXCEPT... how many calm and clear-headed students do you see in Potions 
that aren't Snape's pet Slyths? 

Which is why I pointed out  that Neville, away from Snape, turned out to make 
a decent potion.

So the question is: Does Snape get more satisfaction out of scaring the crap 
out of his students or actually seeing them perform?

If it's the former, I have a hard time agreeing that's he's a good teacher.

Darrin
-- The Pet Slyths would be a great band name.