Snape and the meaning of courage

[aggiepaddy]

No: HPFGUIDX 105767

 June wrote:
 Snape is one of those folks you're always going to wonder about.  
> My question is, where did the wimpy teen get the how-with-all to 
> become so menacing?  I don't think being a death-eater is for 
sissies, unless you're Wormtail.  Any thoughts on that one?  


> Katie: 
> Okay. What follows is a rambling and decidedly subjective post. If 
> you all have any thoughts on these subjects, I'd love to hear them.
 

Aggie,
Oh dear! you may regret that comment!! Tee Hee  ;o)

Katie:
> What I find interesting about June's comment (above) is that it 
> presumes a certain agreement with the idea that young Snape *is* 
> wimpy. I don't think that he is. But I really dislike the whole 
> notion of "wimpiness", as opposed to cowardice, which I consider to 
> be a truly negative trait.  

SNIP

> Snape subscribes to a certain world view shared by many people 
> (though not by most of the HP characters), namely, the idea 
> of "strong" and "weak" (inferior) people, and all that goes along 
> with that. It is well summed up in Snape's explanation of what he 
> considers to be "weak":
>    "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 this easily..."
> (I'd say it sounds like Snape is describing Sirius. I don't think 
> Snape fans and Sirius fans are opposing groups, but I DO think that 
> Snape and Sirius represent opposites in many ways.)
> 
> The question is, do you, as the reader, agree with Snape? I 
> certainly don't. I think Snape's coldness is one of his worst 
> qualities. And of course, Snape himself frequently fails to live up 
> to his standards (though who would want to??)
> 
> This persona Snape's cultivated since his Hogwarts years *is*, I 
> think, simply a persona. It doesn't affect his deeper self, and has 
> nothing really to do with whether he's a coward or not, only 
whether 
> he allows others to perceive him as one. I'm sure that Snape's idea 
> of courage has more to do with preservation of one's image of self-
> control and superiority above all else. That's not my idea of 
> courage (though I'm sure there are some out there who would 
disagree 
> with me.)
 
>SNIPS points on Neville and Griffindoric view on things
 

Aggie,

Hi Katie!  I have to say that was an interesting message you wrote 
there.  

I need to clarify one point though, are you saying that you consider 
Snape to be a coward?  

To take your post point-by-point:

I agree that I don't think Snape is 'Wimpy'.  In the pensieve scene 
he may be distracted (with his OWL paper) and he may be described in 
the stereotypical way of being 'geeky' but I don't think he is a 
wimp.  The way I read your post, and please forgive me if I'm wrong, 
but you seem to imply that while you do not think he is wimpy, you 
think he is cowardly.  Could you explain your reasoning behind that?  
We are talking (well I am! ;0) ) about the young Snape.  From the 
pensieve scene I do not see how you can label Snape a coward.  
Without getting into a Valky:Del debate about this, he is challenged 
and responds accordingly. He does not run away, does not hide or cry. 
He stands and fights. Is this an act of a coward?  Surely he would 
have tried any means possible not to have that confrontation.  He may 
even have avoided being in the near vacinity of James et al if he 
thought they would try anything in the first place!

Your point about Snape seeing people as 'weak' and 'strong' is a good 
one.  I will agree with it to a certain degree.  As a reader, I 
understand what Snape means by that comment (and agree that it does 
seem like he's talking about Sirius).  My take on that comment is 
that in Snape's world he sees that 'weak' people end up getting 
themselves killed.  James, Lily and Sirius all died because they 
were 'weak' in saving Harry (and I don't dispute that they needed to, 
with the exception of Sirius but JKR knows what's best for us in the 
long run! Mommy dearest. . .!). They all wore their hearts on their 
sleeves, etc. I'm not saying that if he were at GH he would let Harry 
die, even he realises there are things worth dying for.  But had 
Sirius and Harry not been so emotional, had not worn their hearts on 
their sleeves, then Sirius would almost certainly still be alive. 
(Yes I am a subscribed member of SAD DENIAL)  

His philosophy does make him cold, but it also keeps him alive.  I 
don't think it's his worse trait, he wouldn't be 'Snape' if he wasn't 
that way.  It's just what makes him as interesting as he is.

I completely agree with you that the Snape we are 'allowed' to see is 
just his persona.  Deep down I believe that he is just the same as 
the 15 yr old we see.  Keeping himself to himself but prepared to do 
battle with anyone who challenges him.     

I understand your point about Snape's image being all important to 
him, and I agree it is, HOWEVER, I do not see anything that makes me 
think that this is how he defines courage.  I see Snape as being a 
very couragous person, he was apprehensive about his mission at the 
end of GOF but went anyway.  I doubt if this mission has anything to 
do with him keeping up the appearance of being a total slimeball!  
Unless he's doing the double agent thing (for DD not LV) and then I 
guess you could argue that case.  I think that one depends on the 
reasons behind him going back to LV.

I hope that my ramblings are clear!