Snape's Body Language

[snapeschambers]

No: HPFGUIDX 71497

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "alicepmint" <alicepmint at y...> 
wrote:
 
> During my 2nd reading of OOP I noticed during Occlumency lesson, 
this one line alarmingly stood out to me: 
> 
> "Snape eyed Harry, tracing his mouth with one long, thin finger as 
he did so." (p.531 US)
> 
> The reason it is alarming was that, (I'm most certain) it is very 
> rare to see Rowling made descriptions of body language on 
characters. This is indeed the first time Snape was described with 
such gesture. She further emphasized it by repeating the "tracing 
mouth with finger" thing the second time in the next paragraph. Is it 
something of significance? of is it's just meant to be some general 
description showing Snape in deep-thinking-mode. But could there be 
something more? I hope anyone who's familiar with studies on body 
language could shed some light. What does it usually say about this 
person and what he's really thinking of the person he's staring at 
given the situation they were in. <<< 


I believe that generally, touching the face and especially the mouth 
indicates secrecy...a desire to block thoughts from leaving through 
the lips. Also, liars will often touch their face during or 
immediately after a lie (scratch nose, wipe lips, etc.)

In this context, I read it as Snape thinking about the best way to 
break through Harry's defenses. Snape is generally a very closed 
person, and the gesture reinforces that.

--SC