Tur-bans or Too-Much (was Re: Ask the Question)

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 84776

> Carol:
> > > > To begin with, I want to know what she [Rowling] meant by 
> saying
> > (in answer to
> > > > why she made Quirrell rather than Snape the villain in 
> SS/PS), "I 
> > > > know all about Snape and he'd never put on a turban." <snip>
> 
> Mschelle in Au:
> <really interesting historical observation snipped> I think JKR's 
> comment above was more a general humorous 
> > > observation <snip>.
> 
> Carol again:
> > Well, okay. But my point is that "Snape wouldn't wear a turban" is 
> a
> > strange response to "Why did you make Quirrell the villain (in 
> SS/PS)
> > instead of Snape?" I think she wanted to get around the question 
> so we
> > wouldn't know whether Snape is a villain or not <snip>. 
> 
> Me:
> I think that was her way of saying, "Ask a stupid question, and 
> you'll get a stupid answer." I mean, honestly! Why didn't you make 
> Snape the villain instead of Quirrell? Because a) that would have 
> been dreadfully dull and predictable and b) he has a major role in 
> the books.

Yes. that's what I expected her to say. But possibly it wasn't all
that obvious at the time, since only the first book had come out. we
have the advantage of 20/20 hindsight.

 On another level, though, I do understand that one just 
> gets to know one's characters -- I've said the same thing about many 
> of mine. Snape really wouldn't wear a turban. I believe it was you, 
> Carol, who said he'd be more likely to wear a hooded cape. I totally 
> agree with that, except that he'd need some way of ensuring that the 
> hood would never fall down.

Nope, it wasn't me, though I agree that sweeping hooded cloaks are the
perfect garment for Snape, who would find it a great deal harder to
sweep and glide down the hallway in a suit and tie.
> 
> I also REALLY don't think Snape's going to be a bad guy. I mean, 
> building it up with the Trio going, "He's a bad guy! He is! He has 
> to be! What? He's not? Oh, but he REALLY has to be this time. He's 
> still not? Hmm. Is he this time? No, no he's still not evil. Guess 
> he's not evil. Yeah, he's not evil in this book either. The guy's 
> just a bastard, then? Yup yup. WHAT?! He's evil?! Aaaaaaaah! [World 
> collapses]"
> 
> Cheekyweebisom, who is becoming more and more inarticulate

I agree, of course. He's mean to his students, but they learn what he
teaches (with the possible exception of Neville, who will probably be
a little less susceptible to sarcasm in Book 6), and he's doing
something difficult and dangerous for the Order. I trust Dumbledore's
judgment of him over Ron's. The fascinating thing about Snape is that
the more JKR reveals about him, the denser the aura of mystery
surrounding him becomes. (Yes, I know it's a faulty metaphor!)

To return to my original question, I think the reason she didn't give
a straight answer was that the question related to the first book and
she didn't want to give anything away about Snape's role in CS, much
less the later books. Nevertheless, if I'd been that questioner, I'd
have responded with "Huh? What do you mean?" Come to think of it,
though, I wouldn't have asked that question.

Carol