Poison intentions? (was Re: What does Snape owe Harry?)

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 97131

Casein wrote:
> snip<
> I tend to want to like Snape, because it just isn't logical, given 
what we know now, for him 
> to be a horrible character.  He's a member of the Order, 
Dumbledore hired him and 
> defends him, and it's stated over and over that he saved Harry's 
life.  But, logic is just a 
> system which is based on the accuracy of starting points.  A 
perfectly logical conclusion 
> based on inaccurate or incomplete antecedents can therefore be 
spectacularly wrong (not 
> to mention being an excuse to have a great deal of fun).
> 
> I'd like to be a Snape apologist.  It would be a much nicer world 
if poisonous 
> mushrooms could change their spots, and if so, I wouldn't put it 
past him.  But, Snape is 
> the one character that Dumbledore and JKR seem to be in 
disagreement on.  I may trust 
> Dumbledore, but I trust JKR even more - because she *is* 
omniscient in the Potterverse.  
> I'm sure they both have their reasons, but I just can't bring 
myself to defend Snape's 
> character when JKR has stated that we are entirely too fond of 
him, and may probably 
> change our minds.  I can't even begin to imagine (logically 
without wildly extrapolating 
> from canon as in my previous post) what mind-altering revelation 
about Snape awaits 
Harry - but I'm sure JKR can.


Potioncat:
I'm not sure if this is the interview you mean.  I don't see this as 
saying we shouldn't like him. Here is a quote from an interview in 
1999. It was just before Goblet of Fire. In fact it is after she 
says he isn't a pleasant person that she says we should keep an eye 
on him.  Now, her last statement, is curious, very curious.  Is the 
question very close, or are we going to learn something horrible?

Here's the interview.  I found it at the Quick quote quill on the 
home page of HPforGrownups:

**What about Snape?**
Snape is a very sadistic teacher, loosely based on a teacher I 
myself had, I have to say. I think children are very aware and we 
are kidding ourselves if we don't think that they are, that
teachers 
do sometimes abuse their power and this particular teacher does 
abuse his power. He's not a particularly pleasant person at all. 
However, everyone should keep their eye on Snape, I'll just say
that 
because there is more to him than meets the eye and you will find 
out part of what I am talking about if you read Book 4. No, I'm
not 
trying to drum up more sales, go to the library and get it out.
I'd 
rather people read it. 
**One of our internet correspondents wondered if Snape is going to 
fall in love**. 
(JKR laughs) Who on earth would want Snape in love with them?
That's 
a very horrible idea. 
There's an important kind of redemptive pattern to Snape
He, um, there's so much I wish I could say to you, and I
can't 
because it would ruin. I promise you, whoever asked that question, 
can I just say to you that I'm slightly stunned that you've
said 
that and you'll find out why I'm so stunned if you read Book
7. 
That's all I'm going to say.

Potioncat (wondering if this was the interview you had in mind?)