More on Snape

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No: HPFGUIDX 102616

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "theultimatesen" 
<senderellabrat at a...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Shaun Hately" 
<drednort at a...> 
> wrote:
> Snape is a hard taskmaster. When his students do not perform to 
the 
> standard he expects, he lets them know about it. There is nothing 
> invalid about that as a method of teaching. Not all teachers do 
it, 
> but plenty do, and their students often learn very effectively in 
> the classroom. They work harder to avoid being told off.

I haven't been following this thread exactly either, but I'd like to 
add a comment. The description aboves sounds more like McGonagall 
then Snape. I respect McGonagall very much, and as a teacher she 
seems worthy of respect, unlike Snape. I can see McG really laying 
into a student when they make a mistake, especially if it was a 
careless mistake or one that could cause harm in the real world. And 
after a good tongue-thrashing I can see the student making every 
effort to NEVER, EVER make a mistake in her classes again.

Now, on to Snape. I just finished reading the passage in OOTP after 
Harry sees into Snape's memories. (Sorry, I don't have the book with 
me for page numbers). Snape ignores Harry during class. Harry finds 
that without all of Snape's harping, potions comes quite easily to 
him (something we should remember, methinks). Harry proudly turns in 
his potions, but the second his back is turned, his beaker 
mysteriously falls off Snape's desk onto the floor, utterly 
destroyed. Another zero for Harry, says Snape. 

No, I personally don't see this as encouraging to any student. Any 
student, period. Faced with the same situation, I probably would 
have finally given up at that point, and quit trying. I certainly 
could not see me trying harder, what's the point? 

Okay, now for 2 other things. First, I really love Snape as a 
character. I absolutely adore his utter vileness! I am a HUGE fan. 

Secondly, I also noticed when McGonagall is discussing with Harry 
the career choice of Auror, she points out that you need to know how 
to deal with working under extreme conditions. Now, we have seen 
Harry "score" spectacular marks in this area in many, many real life 
instances. However, I would consider Snape's class another type of 
stress, one that Harry has not been able to yet overcome. We know 
now that Harry is quite good at potions when left alone, but he will 
need to get the highest marks possible in order to consider the 
career of Auror, and with Snape around I don't see it. (Or  maybe 
he'll get lucky, and for some reason there will be a new potions 
teacher next year?