New characters in Book 6 - Snape's Destiny

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 104988

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "justcarol67" <justcarol67 at y...>
wrote:
> Asian_lovr2 (Steve) wrote:
> <snip>
> <snip> with Snape as DADA teacher and Tom Riddle as the Half Blood 
> Prince, we open the door for a great deal of important story to be 
> told. Without that, or with new characters, we are bogged down with 
> 'cannon fodder' characters and wasted pages.
> <snip>

 
> Carol:
> If the pattern of the DADA teacher dying or losing his/her job at
> the end of the book holds true, Snape can't be the DADA teacher in 
> Book 6, as JKR has stated in an interview that he'll play a key role
> in Book 7. (If he becomes DADA teacher in Book 7, I'll worry about 
> his survival. As it is, we have what amounts to a promise that he'll
> survive past the end of Book 6.)
> 
> I know you haven't forgotten this exchange, but others may not be
> familiar with it:
> 
> Q: "There's an important kind of redemptive pattern to Snape."
>
> JKR: "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."
> 
> ...link removed....
> 
> So for good or for ill, Snape will be around in Book 7 and there's 
> no good reason to make him the DADA teacher now ....
> 
> ...edited...
> 
> Carol


Asian_lovr2:

Thanks for that quote and the link, I wasn't aware of the particular
statement. That certainly weakens my positions. I have been pretty
strongly advocating Snape as DADA teacher and Snapes dying in book 6.
While you haven't shot that down completely, you have certainly
weakened my it and given me pause for doubt.

It is possible that Snape will die in book 6, and it is his STORY that
will continue in book 7. But you have sufficiently weakened my resolve
to the point where I'm not sure I can advocate any particular
position. A part of me really really feels that the time is right for
Snape to be DADA teacher. The constant hints in the book seem to have
been leading up to just that thing occuring. 

But as strongly as I feel that, knowing that Book 7 will completely
resolve Snape's story line, I now confess myself hesitant.

General Points on Snape-

Others are predicting that Snape will slip back over to the Dark Side.
 Some say because having the DADA job will rekindle the desire for
Dark Art in him again. Other think he is and always has been on the
Dark Side. But I'm convinced that while Snape is not a nice guy, he
will always be a good guy.

HOWEVER, I think Snape will be forced into a position where he must
commit very dark acts in order to maintain his good standing with
Voldemort and the other Death Eaters. That's one of the hazards of
being a double agent, at some point, although at different times, you
will be called upon to betray both sides. 

Sample scenerio, Harry is captured by Voldemort, and as a test of his
loyalty, Voldemort will demand that Snape torture Harry. Snape, under
the circumstance, must either reveal himself as a traitor to Voldemort
and suffer the consequences, or he must torture Harry. I think, he
will see that it is better to torture Harrry thereby allowing both of
them to live to fight again some other day. 

I'm not say that specific thing will happen, although I think it is
likely, I'm just illustrating my point.

I also feel that Snape will clearly redeem himself to Harry, to the
story, and to the readers in some very grand and heroic way.

Make note of this, because you will rarely hear me defending Snape.

Steve/asian_lovr2