One last try (re: Parenting Harry (was: Re: I don't like him much))

[imamommy at sbcglobal.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 120273


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "delwynmarch" 
<delwynmarch at y...> wrote:
> 
>snip

Del:
> 
> But Snape *does* have *some* of Harry's best interests in mind.
> 
> For example, judging from what he said in the Shrieking Shack, he
> seems to think that James got himself and Lily killed because he was
> so big-headed that he couldn't think straight anymore. As a
> consequence, he tries to prevent Harry from developing such a big 
head
> too, something he sees as an inevitable consequence of Harry's fame,
> his success at Quidditch, and the fact that DD is so lenient with 
him.
> 
> Another example is his insistence that Harry follows the rules. He
> knows what dangers lurk around (he is, after all, a Dark Arts
> specialist), and he doesn't want Harry to run into them.
> 
> Even as a teacher, he does have some of Harry's best interests in
> mind. He keeps giving him additional homework whenever he feels 
Harry
> hasn't learned a Potions lesson well enough, and he threatens to
> poison him in order to make sure that Harry will know his antidotes 
by
> heart.
>

imamommy:

This becomes the departure point.  You see Snape as having Harry's 
best interest at heart; I see Snape as being an embittered, angry man 
with an axe to grind.  I don't think Snape disciplines Harry to groom 
him for society, or to help him become a better person, or to help 
him fight VM.  I think he disciplines, or punishes, Harry because 
he's being vindictive towards Harry and, vicariously, James.  

I agree with Eloise that Snape fills the literary function of being 
the disciplinarian, and I do not wish for his removal.  The scenes 
with Snape are some of the most exciting to read, IMO.  I'm sorry if 
I missed your point, Eloise.

imamommy