[HPforGrownups] Snape, Sirius, and 'moral codes'

[Random]

No: HPFGUIDX 74093


On Tuesday, Jul 29, 2003, at 08:30 America/Indianapolis, curly_of_oster 
wrote:

> Warning, this is probably going to get pretty long.
>
> I have been following, with interest, the threads on Sirius (Much Ado 
> about What? <g>), Dumbledore's use (or abuse?) of Sirius, etc., and I 
> am kind of interested in the side topic, of sorts, that came up in 
> these conversations regarding Snape, Sirius, and their respective 
> 'moral codes.'  I have been reading tons of digests, and while I did 
> go back and find some of the original quotes, I know I am paraphrasing 
> and probably doing a bit of generalizing, so I apologize in advance to 
> the original author(s) of these ideas if I leave something out or muck 
> something up. <g>
>
> The basic ideas seemed to be:
>
> Snape: Although he can be (often/always is?) an unpleasant git, he is 
> an equal opportunity unpleasant git,

The Equal Opportunity Unpleasant Gits would make an excellent name for 
a band.

> in that he treats everyone badly, and that he will save the life of 
> even someone he hates (for the greater good?)

or perhaps it's the life-debt.

> Sirius: Although he would do anything, including give his life, for 
> those he cares about, if he doesn't like you, you don't really 
> count/don't even have rights,

whoa, i thhink "don't have rights" is a bit harsh.

> primarily evidenced, I think, by the 'prank' on Snape and his saying, 
> in PoA, that Snape 'deserved it.'

I just have to say; the more I think about Sirius, the less I like him, 
since joining this list

> Snape: I am not even going to deal with the idea that he treats 
> everyone equally (it was even said that he grades fairly), as I think 
> that has been discussed already.  I don't think he treats everyone 
> equally at all, though whether that is a major factor in his 'moral 
> code' is another issue.

Evidence?

[snip life debt]

> He continues to treat Harry with contempt and disdain in a private 
> situation where the 'he's just playing a part' excuse won't wash (i.e. 
> the Occlumency lessons),

As i've said before, he could very well be playing the part _for harry_.

> However, that doesn't change the fact that what Snape is doing goes 
> against the 'common good.'

If you mean ceasing the lessons, keep in mind he had a VERY good 
reason. I think he may have been trying to avoid the situation where he 
would reach a breaking point and possibly physically harm harry.

> As I said above, all I think we can truly conclude about Snape is that 
> he'll save your life even if he hates you if he feels compelled by a 
> 'wizard's debt.'

He does grade fairly.

[snip prank]

You've completely skipped that the Prank also puts Lupin in danger

> Is there more to the whole 'Prank' than meets the eye??

interesting thought. discuss.

> I would also say that, as I do with Snape, I believe that if it came 
> down to it, and Sirius had needed to save Snape's life for the 
> Order/to defeat Voldemort, that he would have.  And, as with Snape, I 
> recognize that this is a gut feeling.

I disagree.

--Random832