[HPforGrownups] Neville and potions - an unpopular opinion

[Shaun Hately]

No: HPFGUIDX 107640

On 25 Jul 2004 at 12:52, Irene wrote:

> If we allow that at least some of the Hogwarts pupils represent some 
> features from the real world education, then Neville has the most 
> obvious parallel - he is the special needs child.
> Now, I maintain another unpopular opinion - that Snape's teaching method 
> is not criminal and not even outside of the range of valid methods, and 
> works perfectly well for average and above students. It might even be 
> one of the more efficient methods for gifted students. But that's not 
> the point I want to argue today.
> But even I agree wholeheartedly that Snape's methods and special needs 
> children should not mix. Ever. But Neville is stuck in the tough 
> wizarding world, and Potions is a mandatory subject for 5 miserable 
> years. He can't escape potions, he can't escape this particular potions 
> master. That much is given. What I'm trying to ask is: could he, in this 
> reality, do something to make his experience less miserable? Could his 
> friends do something to the same affect? Again, I'm interested in 
> actions within the given reality, not the wishful thinking to the lines 
> of "let's send Snape to modern teaching training".
> My opinion is that yes, he could. And he should. And I'm upset that he 
> does not.

It's an interesting perspective - but the thing is while I think it 
is certainly possible that Neville has some sort of learning 
difficulty, I think his biggest problem when it comes to Snape's 
class is his fear of Snape.

I think Neville's biggest problem is precisely what McGonagall, 
says it is.

"'You cannot pass an OWL,' said Professor McGonagall grimly, 
'without serious application, practice and study. I see no reason 
why everybody in this class should not achieve an OWL in 
Transfiguration as long as they put in the work.' Neville made a 
sad little disbelieving noise. 'Yes, you too, Longbottom,' said 
Professor McGonagall. There's nothing wrong with your work except 
lack of confidence." (Sorry - no page numbers - this is out of some 
notes I've been taken, and my book is currently elsewhere).

I think this is probably Neville's major problem - it may be fed by 
other issues, he may have developed a lack of confidence because of 
other difficulties - but it's his main issue.

And, I'd hope, that it's now largely a thing of the past. Neville 
has shown his courage - I think Neville is far less likely to ever 
be scared by school work again, and if he does have other issues, I 
suspect he's more likely to find a way of addressing them than he 
was before.  


Yours Without Wax, Dreadnought
Shaun Hately | www.alphalink.com.au/~drednort/thelab.html
(ISTJ)       | drednort at alphalink.com.au | ICQ: 6898200 
"You know the very powerful and the very stupid have one
thing in common. They don't alter their views to fit the 
facts. They alter the facts to fit the views. Which can be 
uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that 
need altering." The Doctor - Doctor Who: The Face of Evil
Where am I: Frankston, Victoria, Australia