OOP: A few Points on Snape and other things

[bsartists]

No: HPFGUIDX 61847

I have always personally thought that Snape wasn't just mean, but a 
downright abusive character.  I think there are plenty of examples 
throughout the first four books of this including the name-calling of 
students, blatent humiliation of Harry (and his friends) in front of 
others and threats.   
But JK has also made it clear that Snape is trusted by Dumbledore, 
supposedly playing for the right team, and lets face it - a damn good 
wizard.  

I personally see the scene of Harry looking in on Snape's memory as 
the first attempts to give Snape's character more dimensions.  I 
don't even know if JK has made up her mind about who Snape really is 
or whose side he is on.  But if she decides to make him lovable in 
the end, she had to start giving a better explanation of how he 
ticks.  And aside from the memory scene, it is the first book in my 
opinion where we get to see a slightly more human side of him in his 
interactions with people.

But one question.  If he is against Lord Voldemort, then why does he 
love Draco so much?  He knows his father is a deatheater and that his 
son is quite outspoken about have the same views as dear old dad. 
That point has bugged me for a while now.

Just a few other quick things to say to folks alternately complaining 
about certain things not getting resolved and some relativley simple 
tie-ups to questions we were hoping would have more intricate 
explinations.

First things is, is that I have to constantly remind myself in the 
end these books are targeted for young adult readers.  I definitley 
think as they progress JK makes sure she appeases her adult fans, but 
simple explanations, funny names and some things being tied up on the 
simpler side are her catering to her original audience.

And I complained in the past about her not tying up certain things in 
books, but JK has a great way of tying things up even  if it doesn't 
come until a few books later.  I mean come on, what kind of stroke of 
genius was it to introduce Scabbers in book One and have him end up 
as Wormtail in book three? 

Oh and Dumbledore as only human - I like it.  After all if he was 
complete perfection he would have found away to get around this 
prophecy, and take LV out himself. Then we wouldn't have 
had these lovely books to read.  But him fighting was like getting to 
see Yoda fight in the attack of the clones - just plain awesome.

-Andy