Snape and what it means to be a Slytherin was Re: We live stereotypes

[darrin_burnett]

No: HPFGUIDX 57668

<snip Kelly's excellent theory on why Snape is the ultimately Slyth>

Kelly wrote:

> I'd just like to point out, for the record, that nowhere in this description
> is a requirement that all Slytherins be pure-blooded and prejudiced against
> Muggle-borns.  Salazar Slytherin's personal preferences aside, I think those
> are things that got tacked onto the House later on, maybe by some 
Slytherins who made the House what they wanted it to be.  I'm not saying 
Salazar would've approved, but I don't think those were requirements to get 
in.

At some point, I believe Snape did hate Muggle-Borns. Now, whether this is a 
"go along" philosophy with the gang of Slyths he ran with or something he 
truly felt, I think he did. 

He WAS a DE, after all, and was willingly one for some time, before he turned.

Again, I find it hard to believe the DEs were anything but pure-blood 
mudblood haters, or at least able to fake it really, really well.

Now, something could very well have changed that attitude -- Maybe he just 
grew up -- and he might not have that prejudice now.  My guess as to why he 
turned is that he was ordered to do something he didn't want to do -- maybe 
kill a muggle-born he didn't want to kill... say someone named after a flower 
starting with the letter "L"?

OR, he could still have that prejudice, but is more of the "So long as they don't 
live on my side of the street, I don't care what they do" variety  rather than the 
"kill them all" variety.

 Snape again being an example, I have not seen him treat Muggle-borns any
> differently than purebloods.  IMO, Hermione gets the crap she does from 
him because she is so smart, is a Gryffindor, and is Harry's friend.  I've never
> perceived any of it coming because of her bloodline. 

No, we don't definitely know it's because she's Muggle-born, although I think 
Snape might be aware that Draco and the gang watch how he treats her and 
may make that assumption. But again, this could all be Snape's cover.


Darrin