What's wrong with being bad ?

[kyntor70]

No: HPFGUIDX 101957

Dreadnought wrote:

"We see Snape teaching Gryffindors and Slytherins - the fact that
his strategy differs between the two *could* be a reflection of the
fact that he acknowledges the different prevailing characteristics
warrant different teaching methods. Gryffindors - courageous, and
brave - are probably the least likely to suffer ill effects from
biting sarcasm and verbal attacks than those less brave would be.
Slytherins - ambitious - may well learn best in an environment
where their egos are stroked."

Kyntor replies:

Do you really think verbal abuse would work well on Gryffindors?  I 
would think that it would have the opposite effect on them.  It sure 
has killed their enthusiasm for subject.  I don't ever remember a 
Gryffindor actually looking forward to Potions.

Just because people are in the same house don't mean they all think 
the same way (look at Harry and Hermione).  If Snape is trying find 
teaching strategies to best fit his students why would the dividing 
line fall neatly along house lines.

I find it extremely difficult to believe that Snape's verbal abuse is 
a teaching method that Snape has tailored specifically for the 
Gryffindors.  If that were true, when he saw that it wasn't effective 
(such as with Harry and Neville), he should change his teaching 
methods towards them.  He does not.

I can see where a stern but fair teaching method would benefit some 
students.  I can understand that some students only thrive in 
atmospheres were they are challenged.  But I find it very difficult 
to beleive that a normal, adjusted teen could ever benefit from the 
abuse and humiliation that Snape dishes out to his Gryffindor 
students.

There was no excuse for Snape destroying Harry's vial in OotP.  
That's not a teaching method that is deliberate sabotage of a 
student's work.


Dreadnought wrote:

"I'm not saying I believe this - I don't. I think Snape treats the
Slytherin's differently because he is biased in their favour. But
it's not impossible"

Kyntor replies:

Great! We agree!