OOP: What's up with Harry and Snape?

[rlharalson]

No: HPFGUIDX 63206

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Kelly Grosskreutz" 
<ivanova at i...> wrote:
> greatlit asked:
> 
Spoiler space







> > Exactly why does Harry feel a surge of hatred towards Snape as he
> > accosts him about to curse Malfoy at the end of OOP? Does anyone 
else
> > think that the relationship (or lack of) between Harry and Snape
> > could have been developed further in OOP?
> (snip)
> >
> > So why blame Snape? What did he do wrong in this book? Was Harry
> > trying to shift the burden of Sirius's death on Snape as an easy
> > alternative over the right one, which would have been to apologize
> > for his behavior (not shutting out the dreams in spite of repeated
> > instructions on Snape's part) and acknowledge that his own 
weaknesses
> > contributed to Sirius's death?
> >
> Harry blames Snape for Sirius's death not because of the Occlumency 
lessons,
> but because of that moment in Umbridge's office.  Harry tells Snape 
in an
> obliquely obvious way that Sirius was in danger.  Snape does not 
appear to
> acknowledge this or care, but just goes on about not wanting to 
hear Harry
> babble and leaves the office.  Now, D has explained to Harry about 
why Snape
> couldn't acknowledge Harry, and what Snape did after he left the 
office, but
> Harry doesn't care.  It is easier to blame someone for Harry at 
this point,
> and Snape makes a wonderful target since Harry can't stand him.
> 
> > I'm a fan of Snape, so my reading has been a bit biased in his 
favor.
> > I'd appreciate it if anyone can point out the reason for Harry's
> > bitterness because I might have overlooked it. Thanks.
> >
> Hope that helps, and I am a Snapefan as well.
> 
> Kelly Grosskreutz
> http://www.idcnet.com/~ivanova

My Turn:
I think Harry's reaction is natural for a 15 year old boy. Of course 
he looks for someone to blame and his normal 'enemy' is the obvious 
one. I think we ought be careful when examining Harry's motives to 
remember his age and not think of him in our own adult terms. I do 
think his relationship with Snape will be important in the coming 
books. Especially since they have both learned that they are not all 
that different from each other even if they haven't acted on that 
knowledge yet.
Renee