Yet another defense of Snape's Occlumency lessons (long)

[snow15145]

No: HPFGUIDX 120076


Alla:

First, let me say it first Harry did not practice. He did not. No
question about it. It was Harry's mistake. I am arguing though
that
Snape's lessons gave Harry almost no help and a lot of harm. In
fact, I was having flashbacks to their first potion lesson, where
(in my opinion only) Snape went out of his way to make Harry hate
him.

>Snip<

Instead of telling Harry to breath, to relax, I don't know, do
something that might HELP Harry, Snape becomes hysterical himself
(in my opinion only)


"Then you will find yourself easy prey for the Dark Lord!"
said
Snape savagely. "Fools who wear their hearts proudly on their
sleeves, who cannot control their emotions, who wallow in sad
memories and allow themselves to be provoked that easily – weak
people, in other words, they stand no chance against their powers!
He will penetrate your mind with absurd ease, Potter!"
"I am not weak, "said Harry in low voice, fury now pumping
through
him so that eh thought he might attack Snape in a moment...

"Then prove it! Master yourself!" spat Snape. "Control
your anger,
discipline your mind! We shall try again! Get ready now!
Legilimens!" – p.536

Snape did not "said" that last quote, he "spat" it.
Again, I think
he became hysterical.


Snow:

Don't you think it would be almost essential for Harry to learn the 
Occlumency lessons under adverse conditions? After all, Harry would 
have to learn to be in control of his emotions or overcome his hatred 
to use Occlumency properly against Voldemort. Voldemort isn't going 
to stand there saying, "are you ready Harry, I'm going to attack your 
mind". 

Snape tries to show Harry that wearing your heart on your sleeve is 
to make yourself vulnerable to Voldemort and
Snape was right! 
Voldemort learned that Harry had feelings for Sirius above all else 
and used him to lore Harry to the Ministry. 

Harry has not been pro-active against Voldemort in the past, meaning 
that Harry has not, after all he has been through, realized the 
severity or inevitability of having to face Voldemort year-after-year 
and take it seriously enough to want to learn anything that could 
possibly stop him, even if it is from Snape. 

Harry could use a little verbal pounding to help ensure his own 
safety. Harry is taking this Occlumency teaching lightly and Snape is 
there to remind him that Voldemort is a ticking bomb, after all isn't 
Harry their only recourse against Voldemort? How many people could 
die as a result of Harry's noncompliance? (Harry just doesn't think, 
period, even though Voldemort has persued only him) Harry acts on his 
knowledge at hand, which has been severely minimized by Dumbledore's 
orders not to let Harry know too much. 

I do agree that Snape should tone down his snide remarks but you have 
to agree that it does catch Harry's attention (which is like talking 
to the child that is humming to itself when you are trying 
desperately to get your point across). When Harry does ask a question 
and Snape attempts to answer it, Harry interrupts which sends Snape 
into a respect your elders' mode. 

Snape is trying to teach Harry within the boundaries of what 
Dumbledore wants Harry to know, which makes it that much harder for 
Snape, Harry is uncooperative because it is Snape who is the teacher 
and the end result is oil and water. Dumbledore excuses Snape's 
behavior, to Harry, as not letting go of the past with Harry's father 
but Harry's non-compliance is overlooked when Dumbledore tells Harry 
it "mattered not that you could not close your mind. It was your 
heart that saved you." I guess all those fruitless Occlumency lessons 
didn't matter at all
unless they were to teach Harry that he doesn't 
know everything, that he acts in haste with disregard
 that he needs 
to trust, that he is inevitably confronting Voldemort and to do this 
he must listen and learn even in the most adverse environment
for his 
own protection. 

Snow