Most burning Snape question?

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 107575

Laura writes:
> > Has anyone got a list of Snape questions they really want 
> > answered? (Stupid question really) And did anyone else get 
> > lucky? If so what are you gonna ask?


Cynthia writes:
> This is as good a time as any time to write my first post.   
> I, too, believe Snape is the most challenging and compelling 
> character.  The problem, of course, is that JKR is writing YA 
> fiction--and we're adults and are wont to impose adult 
> sensibilities on a world filtered, necessarily, by her genre 
> filter.
> 
> That said, however, she has--whether she intended to or not--
> written a character who piques adult interest.  So, were I to have 
> the opportunity to question her about Snape, I would ask:
> 
> 2.  Why is Snape, who by any measure is far and away as 
> intelligent and shrewd as any in the text, so unable--or unwilling-
> -to control his childish behavior?  
 

SSSusan:
Welcome, Cynthia!

I *really* like your 2nd question.  Some list members here think 
Snape *isn't* acting childishly--or at least that he's doing so 
because he's toughening up Harry or playing a part for the DEs--but 
no matter whether a person agrees with the characterization 
of "childish" [and I do, *part* of the time], it still makes a nice 
question for JKR.  

There's a lot of "meat" there for her to latch onto, and no matter 
how she would choose to answer it, I think we'd get something 
interesting in response.  Since it's not a yes/no/maybe answer, 
she'd be more likely to provide at least a complete sentence by way 
of answer!  As long as it wasn't the dreaded, "You'll find out 
later," I think it might provide us with some new fodder!

Also, I'm guessing some HPfGU'ers will take exception with your 
saying JKR is writing "YA books."  It's been discussed quite a bit 
on this board whether she ever intended children--or young adults--
as her audience.  She's flat-out said before that "I didn't write 
with a target audience in mind. I never thought about writing for 
children -children's books chose me."  That could be interpreted 
that she DIDN'T write these for children...or that she didn't set 
out to write for children but it ended up that way.  It's 
a "discussable" topic at least, then.

Siriusly Snapey Susan