[HPforGrownups] Re: An odd musing about Harry's attitude - cont dislike of Snape

[Gina R Rosich]

No: HPFGUIDX 53945

On 3/19/03 5:11 PM, "anyankavengeance" <andry-f at postmark.net> had this to
say:

> This is an interesting thread, definitely a good read . . . neat to
> see people's varying perspectives on Harry's behavior. One thing I do
> take slight issue with is the recurring 'Harry should thank
> Snape' bit. While I agree that, in theory, that would be the best
> course of action, Snape has always struck me as not *wanting* Harry
> to know he was saving his life. For Harry to actually thank him, it
> might strike Snape as Harry trying to embarass him or patronize
> him, rather than as a sincere effort to make amends - not to mention
> that, as a child, it would kind of be pretty pretentious for Harry to
> do something like that. Harry making amends with Snape in such a
> fashion would be treating Snape as an equal, when Harry, as a
> student, is an inferior. So I kind of think that if Harry ever did
> something like that, it would only make Snape hate him more, not
> clear the air between them.
> 
> <snip>
> 


Wow, Andry.  Isn¹t it fascinating how people can like the same thing yet
disagree so much?  This is fun.

Anyway, I don¹t see Harry thanking Snape as making them equals.  I think
Harry thanking Snape would acknowledge Snape¹s skills and intentions.  It
would be a sign of high respect.

Mind you, I don¹t think Snape wants a thank you from Harry specifically.  He
is a work-behind-the-scenes kind of guy.  He is not interested in
ostentatious displays.  He would absolutely find that embarrassing.  But he
has a valid point of view regarding Harry¹s safety.  And Harry (being a
child) does not always realize how much people are doing for him.

I found it striking how, in PoA, Lupin says the exact same thing Snape does.
That Harry¹s parents would not appreciate giving their lives so Harry could
disregard protection and sneak out of the school (paraphrasing).  But
because Lupin is warm and fuzzy and liked, he knows how to get through to
Harry.  I just think Snape might have a lot more patience towards Harry if
he knew Harry appreciated what everyone was doing for him.  Especially
Snape, who does so much and so thanklessly.  Not that Snape would become
Harry¹s confidante or mentor or equal.
---
Gina 




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