[HPforGrownups] Re: Snape Theories

[Lisa G]

No: HPFGUIDX 73515

Re: was there justification for Snape's treatment in the
Pensieve?

I would have to say that it was probably a relatively unprovoked
attack. I don't have my OOP on me, so you'll have to excuse my
broad references, I'll do my best!

First, as someone who remembers high school well (*kicks the
dirt* wasn't too long ago), there are several very polarized
groups, and many people who mingle between. There are jocks,
there are popular kids (often the same), there are the academics
(who are only momentarily popular, when they can be bought or
used). James is a jock, obviously, practically a star, and he
knows it. His clique is popular by association. Sirius is a
hottie, and a troublemaker to boot. He's tons of fun to be
around. Lupin is the level-headed one of the group, but not one
to jeopardize friendship in the name of common sense. Peter is
the hanger-on, who doesn't have a whole lot of independant
popular worth, but he's a valuable groupie (James LOVES the
oohing and ahhing, it calls the attention of any girl who wasn't
already watching his stellar feats) and is probably pretty fun
to have around sometimes. These are standard roles in many
cliques. They're loyal to one another and would go to the grave
for each other - friends are utterly necessary, especially at
this age, and this group could never function without one of its
members. Their apparent selflessness for one another, while
admirable, is normal in a group like this. They need each other.

Now, on the other side, is Snape. Very intelligent, nowadays
he'd be one of the 'goth' crowd. In the real world, these kids
in high school have a penchant for the darker side and don't
have many friends outside their own clique. Even among other
smart kids, those who dress in black and play D&D on weekends
are given a wide berth in the halls. Snape is too smart to have
his homework bought from him, and he probably aces his exams
pretty effortlessly. He's bleak and greasy, without a social
circle, and it probably irks other kids that someone like that
can do so well. He's probably the sort who gets picked at day in
and day out, just because others have nothing better to do -
knocking his books over, bumping him in the halls, cutting in
front of him in line. Calling him names. Standard high school
kid fare. It's relatively harmless in the long run, but it sets
up a pecking order. Most kids deal with it and move on. But the
glimpse we have into Snape's other memory with the yelling man
and a child cowering - snivelling - in the corner indicates a
very unhappy home life. Probably a son who can't meet
expectations and who drives himself to meet the standards of
others. Certainly raised to disdain others who are better than
him, or different at all. The 'normal' school behaviors of
establishing that pecking order eat away at him and further
degrade his sense of worth. He keeps to himself, living his own
life and trying to stay out of the way of others. I'm willing to
bet he was adept at defending himself if need be, but he's
probably not exactly used to such a public display as the one he
was thrust into by James and company. He got flustered.

So, back 'round to my point - did he deserve this 'attack'?
Picture being a 15yr old boy, so infatuated with a girl that you
doodler her initials on your papers in your spare time. You've
just had the time of your life, humiliating the school underdog,
and here she comes. Just as you'd hoped, ALL the girls had seen
it. You're pretty proud at your quick thinking and adeptness
with those spells, you're beaming when she's storming up to you.
And then she lets you have it. This girl you LOVE (*pitter
patter of your heart*) is insulting you for picking on him, and
wants to know what he did to deserve it. Rather than attempting
to clear your name and win her over with some tale of his
dreadful deeds, you tell her that it's because he exists. Ooh...
bad move, turbo. I don't think James would have said that if
there had been something, anything, he could have blamed on
Snape. These were bored popular kids who had the eye of half the
girls in the school. This was a show to not only humiliate
someone the school disliked, but to demonstrate their own
personal coolness. And it worked, too. Everyone but Lily, it
seemed, enjoyed it greatly. What better reason than this to do
something to another person?

I think that Snape's humanity runs deep, and JKR is poised to
bring it out if she chooses to take that route. Snape, while he
can't and shouldn't become everyone's friend, could evolve into
an understood entity who everyone respects and, for the most
part, can deal with. It all depends on where she wants to go
with it. After OOP, I'm honestly more interested in Snape than I
am in Harry. I know the school Snape went to, and I know the
kids who harassed him. It's very real. I hope to see some Snapey
redemption, but I can understand if JKR prefers her dark,
foreboding character - he's a good foil and is pretty fun as it
is.

Anyhow, them's just my several Galleons. Sorry for the long
read, thanks for bearing with me :o)

Lisa G

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