[HPforGrownups] Rules of Respect was Re:Snape & Harry

[Barbara D. Poland-Waters]

No: HPFGUIDX 101409

>>>From: potioncat [mailto:willsonkmom at msn.com]

Going back to year one, day one of Potions, according to this set of
rules, it was Harry who was in the wrong, not Snape. He was indeed,
mouthing off and it doesn't matter that Snape was being mean at
the time.<<<

Where are you getting this from? The first thing that happens in Potions is
that Snape demands for Harry to answer questions he couldn't possibly know
(and knows he doesn't know, since he knows he's been living with muggles all
his life). He also taunts Harry very early on, even though Harry is
completely respectful at first. See below:

	"Potter!" said Snape suddenly. "What would I get if I added powdered root
of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
	Powdered root of what to an infusion of what? Harry glanced at Ron, who
looked as stumped as he was; Hermione's hand had shot into the air.
	"I don't know, sir," said Harry.
	Snape's lips curled into a sneer.
	"Tut, tut -- fame clearly isn't everything."

Then after more questioning:

	"Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming, eh, Potter?"

(SS 138)

Yes, there is a moment when Harry says something back to Snape, and Snape
takes a point off of Gryffindor for his "cheek," but I wouldn't call that
"mouthing off" at all. Then he takes points off Gryffindor for something he
accuses Harry of doing, with no proof!

You know, I stayed out of the Snape vs. Harry debate, and I don't want to
start it again. But I just want to say that if you go by canon, there is a
lot of evidence that Snape has prejudged Harry a lot more than the reverse.
Snape was mean and unfair to Harry from day one. Harry reacted to that with
confusion at first ("why did Snape hate him so much? SS 139) and then when
it continued he developed the same reaction I would feel if someone hated me
with no justification and treated me badly! Honestly, how many adults could
handle that situation without feeling defensive and wanting to lash out at
the person doing that to them. This is an 11-year old boy who has to deal
with it!

And just to weigh in on the respect issue, my personal opinion is that
respect should be earned. If my 11 year old child (who I don't have yet)
came home and told me that he was getting detentions and other punishments
because his teacher hated him at first sight, I would probably go to the
school administration. I would probably NOT expect or want my 11 year old to
talk back to the teacher or be disrespectful, but as someone else said,
there is a difference between behaving respectful and actually having
respect for someone. I think Harry behaved respectful for the most part.
Which is more than I can say of Snape's behavior towards Harry!

Barbara
aka bd-bear