An odd musing about Harry's attitude - cont dislike of Snape

[marephraim]

No: HPFGUIDX 53939

Carrie S wrote:

> Hi, I have just one more thought on the subject of Harry & Snape...
> I wonder why after he [Harry] learns Snape tried to save his life, 
his feelings don't change toward Snape at all. .... Does Snape hold 
it against Harry that he never said "thanks, you're not so bad after 
all"? Does he treat Harry worse because he's resentful now. ...
> 
> It's exactly like Snape and James. James saved Snape's life and 
Snape's feelings didn't seem to warm up toward James afterward. In 
fact he seems to feel resentful, if he even acknowledges it all. 
> 
> If you carry this farther there is even another parralel...Snape 
seems to feel that James owed it to him to save his life. Since 
Sirius lured him to follow along. Does Harry feel that Snape only 
tried to save him because he owed it to James? They could both be 
misinterpreting a noble act because they insist on disliking the 
person who did it. 

A very insightful consideration. I had never thought about the 
parallel between Snape's resentment of James and Harry as resenting 
Snape's actions to save Harry. At a psychological level this might 
well be at play, however we must remember that it is Ron who most 
often comes up with the fantasies about Snape suffering or being 
fired or killed, etc..

Nonetheless, particularly from PoA and GoF onward it will be 
interesting to observe the development of the Snape/Harry 
relationship (not SHIP!!!! okay?!!!). Will either of them move 
beyond their mutually assured hatred?

MarEphraim