[HPforGrownups] Re: Question for Snape Bashers

[Scott Santangelo]

No: HPFGUIDX 102418



Wanda Sherratt <wsherratt3338 at rogers.com> wrote:
--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Scott Santangelo 
<owlery2003 at y...> wrote:
> 
> 
> delwynmarch <delwynmarch at y...> wrote:
> I, Del, wrote :
> > How do you know that he "abuses" his authority ? 
> 
> owlery2003 comments:
> 
> Lots of examples throughout the books - the few that leap to mind 
are the "oversight" of slyth quidditch team members hexing the 
gryffindors (despite numerous witnesses), the "no marks for you" 
approach in potions (repeatedly), the override of wood's booking the 
quidditch pitch for practice (admittedly minor), the automatic 
detentions and points against ron/harry when they held neville back 
from launching into malfoy . . . wish I had more time to remember 
more!
> 
> 
Well, I think this is starting to cheapen the word "abuse".  I don't 
count as abuse just anything that makes a child unhappy.  Abuse to 
me is akin to torture, either mental or physical.  None of these 
things that Snape does is anything like that level of cruelty.  He's 
more like a boot camp instructor, making it hard for his students, 
and taking a perverse pride in being so tough.  When Hermione gets 
good marks in Potions, you know it MEANS something.


Owlery2003 responds:

I think in context of "abuse OF AUTHORITY" it is closer to "fundamental fairness." From that perspective, Snape is blatantly unfair, and delights in his lopsided treatment. Regarding abuse generally, no, he doesn't cross the physical line (though the poisoning episode might be close - he would doubtless administer an antidote in time).


		
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