Sirius / Severus

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 86052

greatlit2003 wrote:
><snip>
> > I see a lot of parallels between Sirius and Severus, and I wonder 
> why they are so different? They were both exposed to the Dark Arts 
> at a young age, and presumably had bad childhoods, including abusive 
> parents and dysfunctional families. So why did Sirius develop the 
> capability to love, and become an outgoing person, while Severus 
> withdrew into himself? I think that with these two characters, JKR 
> is examining two possible outcomes of similar situations. Granted, 
> we don't know everything about Severus yet, but from what we do 
> know, I think that it is safe to say that his past gave him a drive 
> to study the Dark Arts (possibly because of his father?) so that he 
> would be able to defend himself. Sirius, on the other hand, shunned 
> his past.
> 
>
Carol:
I agree that there are a lot of parallels between Severus and Sirius,
from similar first names and one-syllable last names to virtually
identical coloring (black hair, black eyes, pale skin). Even Sirius's
nickname as a dog ("Snuffles") reflects the cruel nickname he called
Severus (Snivellus). A few, probably minor, differences, are that
Sirius had a brother whereas Severus seems to be an only child;
Severus's father was cruel and abusive and his mother seems weak, but
Sirius's mother appears to have been the dominant parent; Severus's
family appear to have been pure bloods but not wealthy but Sirius's
family (also pure bloods) definitely had money. While all of these
factors, especially Snape's abusive father and Sirius's wealthy
parents, may have played a role in shaping Sirius into an arrogant,
spoiled boy who later revealed a reckless courage and a capacity for
love and Severus into a loner obsessed with the Dark Arts, who for
unknown reasons joined and left the DEs and is now fighting against LV
despite a continuing antipathy for MWPP and everything associated with
it, but none seems important enough to account for the difference in
their adult personalities. 

Why the difference, then (setting aside any genetic components that
might partially determine personality traits)? Aside from the fact
that Sirius, despite his many character flaws, hated his family and
consequently wanted nothing to do with the Dark Side, he had a
distinct advantage over Severus: he was handsome. Sad as it may be to
admit, looks affect the way kids treat other kids. Handsome Sirius had
only to say he was bored and James was ready to entertain him at
Severus's expense. Severus, on the other hand, was the target of their
abuse "because he exists." Skinny, greasy-haired, hook-nosed, a loner
since his older friends had graduated, a Slytherin steeped in the Dark
Arts, he was treated shabbily because of his looks and less than
sparkling personality. Such treatment by popular boys reinforced his
unpopularity. Not even the Slytherins in his own year seemed to care
enough about him to defend him. No wonder he was angry and lonely and
wanted to find someone, anyone, who would acknowledge and respect his
brilliant mind and many gifts.

Sirius, on the other hand, received recognition effortlessly: he was
handsome, wealthy, easily scored well on exams, and was the best
friend of a quidditch champion with an outgoing, fun-loving (if
sometimes thoughtlessly cruel) personality. He was popular without
ever seeking popularity. But his fortunes changed abruptly within a
few years of graduation. After the bitter double shock of James's
death and Peter's betrayal, he sat for twelve dark years in Azkaban,
brooding on his innocence. When he found out that Peter was alive, he
was obsessed with revenge--he plotted his escape with the sole motive
of committing the murder he was imprisoned for committing. Only after
Peter's identity was revealed to Lupin and Lupin reached out to him as
a lost brother could Sirius stop obsessing over Wormtail and care
about a small circle of people again. But as someone on this list
pointed out, he'd had no opportunity to develop and grow in Azkaban.
He remained emotionally an adolescent, wanting to resurrect James in
Harry and add excitement to his limited life by risking his life and
freedom for the new adventure of fighting for the Order.

The adult Snape also takes risks, but he is not careless, and he is
contemptuous of those who are. He is also unwilling or unable to let
go of his miserable past. But things might have been very different if
James and Remus had given him the indulgent friendship and brotherly
love that they gave to the handsome Sirius, if looks and placement in
Slytherin had not blinded all of them to Severus's many talents. But
like Kreacher, who was unthinkingly abused by Sirius as something less
than human, Severus was snubbed and abused and tormented because of
what he looked like and who he was. No wonder he (apparently) turned
again to the older friends who had once provided him with a sense of
belonging. I think that their acceptance of him, their willingness to
overlook his appearance and recognize his gifts, swayed Severus to
join them and become a Death Eater. But something jarred him;
something made him turn away and join the side of his tormentors. And
that something, whatever it is, is the real key to Severus Snape.

Carol