JKR's description of Snape

[rubyxkelly]

No: HPFGUIDX 70246

My thoughts on Snape:
JKR doesn't eally say he's "deeply horribly sadistic", that's a bit of a stretch. When asked about the romance, she seemed more amused by the idea than anything-and says that's something that will be revealed in Book 7. Is she amused by the idea, or because the questioner hjas stumbled on something that is to come which she finds funny? (There has been a bit of speculation over Snape-the=henpecked-hubby with some brats of his own that reinforces his obvious dislike of children-not a heory I particularly subscriibe to, but amusing.)

Snape as a teacher reminds me of some I've had myself; teachers who aren't particularly pleasant but are founts of information if one applies oneself-something Harry doesn't really do.

Regarding the voice-both Snape and McGonagal are described as having the ability to keeps the attention of students without raising their voices, and McGonagal inspires some fear herself having a "stern" face and the look of someone not to be crossed. She doesn't play favourites tho'-or rather, not quite so blatantly.

I think part of the problem with Snape is because of Alan Rickman (whom I love, don't get me wrong!), who is about 15 or so years past the age Snape should be but is also too frikkin' sexy! I've tried very hard to reconcile book Snape with movie Snape and it's very difficult!

Part of the attraction of the character lies in his multidimesionality-nasty, immature, impatient, naive, rigid, grudge-holding but who sometimes does the right thing (almost in spite of himself) when the occasion calls for it.
In the Albert Hall event, JKR also agreed with Stephen Fry's assessment of Snape as a sad and very lonely person. Yes, she says he isn't necessarily to be trusted and that an eye should be kept on him, but that could mean lots of things-especially as she was again laughing as she said it. She has also said that Dumbledore allows the things that happen because he believes there are many ways of learning lessons. Does that make him insensetive?

Also, altho' Black may not have attacked Harry, he is hardly setting him a good example by telling him that he isn't like James after all, as the risk would have been part of the fun. Is this a smart thing to say to the kid you're suposed to be protecting? Allowing himself to be baited by Snape at Grimmauld Place is hardly wise, either. Does that make him bad-or just more human?

Snape may be unpleasnat in the extreme, but that's a long way from being "evil". I think one of the lessons JKR is trying to get across is that the way people are treated goes a long way into making them the people they become, and that someone may have issues you are completely unaware of. It goes right along with the them of not being prejudiced, and of encouraging understanding and unity. Right now, though, Harry is projecting (still!) his own anger onto the Professor, and since he book is told completely from Harry's POV, I predict this will only continue.

KAT/rxk