Snape's Body Language

[rickfan37]

No: HPFGUIDX 71507

--- 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 noticed this too, and brought it up on another group, somewhat 
facetiously, I have to say. I said;
!Speaking of Snape. ..it struck me as very odd that when Snape is 
talking to Harry during the Occlumency lesson he sits there and 
strokes his (own) lip...not once, but twice!  Now, what IS that all 
about? Not a vey Snapelike gesture, and since I KNOW there's no gay 
subtext, what can it mean?  I have been wracking my brains, and all I 
can come up with that's in any way plausible is that JKR knows there 
are loads of rabid female Snape fans out there and she's giving us a 
nod, LOL!  Has she, perhaps, been watching the candlelit dining table 
scene in Dark Harbor?"

Not very helpful, I know, but since I cannot think of a plausible 
reason, a stupid one is all that I could come up with! ;-)


"rickfan37"