[HPforGrownups] Re: Digest Number 5557

[charme]

No: HPFGUIDX 120155


From: "mcmaxslb"

> And I think I now have a handle on all you Snape lovers, you were
> in all probably bullies just like Snape and you enjoy seeing Harry
> being bullied. Takes you back to your school days when you were
> hurting people doesn't it?
>
> I was just making an observation it was not in any way meant as an
> insult.OK I'll take back the part about all Snape lovers being
> bullies.  However it has touched a nerve with a allot of people and
> maybe they need to look at why it did.

>>  Please also remember, we are discussing characters in a book.
>> Just because we express a fascination with Snape (I include
>> myself in that group) that does not mean we approve of his
>> behavior...Julie


charme:

Ok pick me, my hand is up :)  Your note, mcmaxslb, didn't touch any nerves 
at all with me, although I did get a chuckle out of your latter point about 
"why"  because that is so simple to answer. :)  I remember teachers I had in 
school who acted like Snape: I didn't like them when I had them, and I 
certainly don't agree with his behavior at all in a real person. (I grew up 
where teachers had the right to paddle students, and I believe some rather 
relished administering punishment.) I can say though that in my more 
"mature" years, I always wondered what made people like that tick;  the 
infinite "why" someone like that acted the way he/she did.  I dig Snape as a 
character in a septology I like who has the "why" factor and would like to 
see more of my questions about him answered.  Given that, does that make me 
a bad person?  Nope.  It makes me curious and interested in knowing "why" 
and how this person, no matter how much I disagree with his behavior, 
relates to the plot of books I enjoy.

> Snape is an interesting character with some intriguing questions
> around him. But I can't just let by the fact that so many find this
> despicable character admirable, in that they condone his abusive,
> bullying treatment of children.

charme:

I don't know about it being "fact" that so many find Snape admirable, and 
think perhaps considering  a different alternative perspective than you may 
have might be more appropriate. People in their zealousness to see both 
sides of the Harry/Snape equasion getting their  individual points across 
via a virtual medium like this message board can be taken out of context. 
Plus, one has to admire JKR for including the real-life sort of 
personalities one might encounter growing up - both the good and the bad.