OoP: I'll do it: In defense of James

[mochajava13]

No: HPFGUIDX 62963

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--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "bibphile" <bibphile at y...> 
wrote:
> None of this changes one simple fact:  James attack was completely 
> unprovoked.  It was also something that happened often.  As soon 
as 
> he heard James ans Sirius call him, he expected to be attacked.
> 
> If Snape was a death eater at this point then James didn't know 
it.  
> If he didn't know, then it can't be used to justify his actions.
> 
> As far as Snape's comment, James attacked before Snape heard it.  
It 
> was not the reason for the attack.
> 
> I'm not saying Snape wasn't (or isn't) a total jerk.  But in this 
> case, James was WRONG.


I don't think that Snape whipping out his wand so quickly is 
indicative of James attacking Snape often.  I think it IS 
indicative of an intent rivalry, much like Harry/Draco.    Yes, 
James was mean to humiliate Snape.  But he was 15, that's what 15 
year old boys do, especially in front of girls they like.  Not 
exactly a nice thing to do, but 15 year old boys aren't exactly 
known for being nice people.  Arrogant, full of themselves, and feel 
that no one understands them. That's the typical teenage boy.  And 
they're first discovering girls, and want to impress them.  Most 
teenage boys think that whatever would impress them would impress a 
girl.  And what would impress a teenage boy?  Making fun of a "slimy 
git" when none of his friends were around, and when he was 
surrounded by people who didn't like him.  Was James right to do 
this?  No, but it's behavior expected of a teenager.  They think 
they know verything, but really don't know a thing.  They act on 
their emotions and don't really think things through.  

And I still think that James/Snape rivalry is exactly like 
Harry/Draco rivalry.  Neither is the innocent one.  Snape probably 
took every opportunity to curse/hex/injure James.  (We know he drew 
James's blood while James's back was turned.)   They both did the 
same thing to each other, just like Harry and Draco act similary to 
each other.  That's what teenage boys do!  So do teenage girls, but 
we women are much more subtle and vicious: we gossip, spread 
rumors, backstab, etc.  Teenage boys don't really understand 
subtlety.  From what I remember of my teenage male friends about ten 
years ago, they were generally clueless idiots who tried hard to 
impress girls and failed miserably.  They'd also try to humiliate or 
attack a rival at any chance they get.  Snape's memory showed that 
James wasn't a perfect person as Harry pictures him as, but a human, 
with human failings.
 
Sarah
Desperately hoping we won't have to wait three years for book 6