Snape and McGonagall Re: Snape and Lupin's Character Arcs

[javalorum]

No: HPFGUIDX 119478


 
> > Betsy:
> <snip> For me it adds so much depth to the character of 
> Snape to realize that his dislike of Harry is based on 
> an old school rivalry.  It gives him a layer of passion 
> and intensity.  And where MM stays pretty firmly in the
> realm of "dignified teacher," Snape is brought down to 
> the level of human being.
> Eventually, I'd love to see Snape finally let go of his 
> old school hurts.  Just as I'd love Lupin to get over his 
> need to please (or at least need to not-annoy).  In a way,
> I think Snape and Lupin could be intertwined on this 
> particular journey.
 
> Alla:
> <snip>
> I am definitely in agreement with you that I want Snape to 
> let go of his old grudges, not just be excused for some 
> reasons that he cannot change or something like that.


Hello,

I joined the group only recently so I hope this doesn't sound too 
blunt, or too familiar if this topic was already discussed way too 
many times before.

With regards to the older group, Snape and Sirius especially, they 
seem to be involved in their school days a lot more than normal 
people. I can sort of understand Sirius, considering he was sent to 
prison not long after he left school. But still, bring up "back in 
the good ol' days, me and James ..." and is kind of ... hmm, sad. I 
know James was his best friend at school and all, but it just seems 
he got nothing else to remember besides school days. And, even though 
he was sent away shortly after graduation, that was probably still a 
good 4, 5 years inbetween. For a kid that age, with that much good 
looks and charisma, I would imagine his life after school (and James 
being so involved with Lily) was only going to be more exciting, and 
more memorable. But then, maybe he just didn't talk to Harry about  
that, and the book was more from Harry's point of view.

But for Snape to hang onto his school days like that is very hard to 
understand. It's not like he enjoyed it. A lot of things must have 
happened after he left school, growing up, seeing the real world. He 
wasn't sent to prison. Yet he's still only focused on age 11-17. 
Maybe he's just that narrow-minded and mean, and he only focuses on 
bad things happened to him. I would imagine a person like that, going 
into the real world, can only find a lot worse memories than school 
days. However, his worst memory was when he was 15, and his worst 
enemy, after 20+ years, is still James Potter. I think Snape is quite 
eccentric and entertaining too, but because of this, sometimes I 
think he exists in the HP universe just for Harry (teaching him life 
lessons, in both good ways and bad), and not so much of a real 
character.

I hope this doesn't sound too harsh. I really like the book series, 
but was somewhat disappointed by the last installment (still couldn't 
help but reading it a few times though).

Thanks for your attention,
Java