Snape's Worst Memory (and the purpose thereof)

[feetmadeofclay]

No: HPFGUIDX 81614

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "fourjays22" <jayandjay22 at h...> 
wrote:

> 
> Very good point.  One of my favorite lines in OoP is when Harry is 
> complaining to Sirius and Sirius tells him (paraphrasing).  "The 
> world isn't divided into good people and death eaters."   This line 
> really stood out to me -- I thought it was very important for Harry 
> to realize there are unpleasant, mean or misguided people in the WW 
> who aren't necessarily servants of Lord Voldemort.  

> Julie

I was under the impression Harry already knew this.  He was quite 
wary of Lockhart and knew Lockhart was a selfish person who couldn't 
be completely trusted.  I don't think Harry thought Skeeter was a 
good person, but he never suspected she was a DE.  

He doesn't trust Snape but I think it is Ron who continues to think 
Snape is behind stuff.  I don't remember that Harry suspecting him 
much. (but then Harry's not very curious about stuff)

Harry knew that Sirius wasn't all good after POA.  Or at least I 
thought I had learned that.

I felt this was a rehash and a little trite.  Most teenagers knows 
that people come in all variaties.  Unless you are a very trusting 
and optimistic person, I doubt that this would need to be told.  Ron 
perhaps fits that mould.  I would expect Harry to be far more cynical 
after what he has been through and the number of times Hogwarts' 
student body has turned on him.  He never suspected that Petunia was 
evil.  Harry should have understood this.  So should the 15 year old 
readers. If I suspected that Umbridge was a DE, it was because she 
shares DE views on racial purity.  

Besides I think this line will come to haunt Rowling thematically.  
I'm fairly sure Umbridge will side with Voldemort.  She's a racist 
and Harry's support is growing.  The only way for her to save her 
pride is to side against Harry which suits her politics. I have 
feeling she will be toadying to a new mater very soon.   

I still find HP's politics very black and white.