[HPforGrownups] Re: Lupin's resentment : An inside to Snape's resentment

[Silverthorne]

No: HPFGUIDX 94108

{Nora}

I've been following this thread idly, but I feel now is the time to
poke my head in:

I don't like this line of reasoning, the 'Snape ain't so bad compared
to other characters'.  There's a great name for it in Latin--'tu
quoque', best translated as 'you're one too'.

A lot of it boils down to the circumstances and position which he
occupies--abuse of authority.  We do have that stated as a reason from JKR's
mouth herself, which is
possibly problematic (not to go into those issues), but I myself suspect
that we'll be given more solid (enough to quell any but the most subversive
reading) textual vidence.  Not to go into any great detail at present, but
that's a powerfully distinguishing situation.

{Silverthorne}

And that *is* a fair reason, but the point I still hold by is this--he is
that way because he did *not* have the guidance others have had. He didn't
have James's Lily, he didn't have whoever taught Remus to be fair and
balanced, he didn't even have the balm, however imperfect, that Sirius had
by having the friends he had. Like the others, circumstances shaped him and
his actions as well, and that includes his 'misuse of authority'--and in his
case, most examples he had to go by were very bad ones indeed. And yet
somehow, people expect him to have come to the same conclusions about how to
act, how to speak, how to treat other people. Not only that, but when he
*does* break his own patterns of behaivior (Praising Harry, taking him
seriously about the danger Sirius might be in, willingly returning to
Voldemort (as a spy) even though it could cost him his life, even leaving
the DE fold in the first place), it's all discounted.  Small improvements
are not enough for the audience (or Harry)....and yet, if he were a real
person, undergoing real coucilling and changes, they would be victories for
a man who *is* so messed up.

By the same token, he is not physically abusive--other then Neville (who
already had his insecurities well ingrained into his head by his own
Grandmother), the students are not affected overly much by Snape's words
other then having a distinct dislike for him. And although you may disagree,
compared to what Umbridge does to the students, an acid tongue is minor
indeed. The problem with people claiming 'verbal abuse' is that they forget
one very important thing--unlike physcial abuse, you *can * ignore it. All
you have to do is not buy into what the other person is saying (that's
called 'enabling', BTW). It's one of the very first thing a councillor will
tell you--in order for it to work, you have to play victim--you have to
enable. You don't, and it ceases to affect you.

{Nora}

I'll also confess that Snape is still opaque because his motivations
are still opaque.  But if JKR follows her geneal pattern, he'll
eventually be defined--and then everything will fall into a
remarkably clear resolution, without the wiggle room.  There'll come
a time when things are clear.  I'll eat my crow if it's served, and
do the little dance of victory if my thematic suspicions are
confirmed. :)

{Silverthorne}

Just as I will eat my words should I be proven wrong...!

-Nora means it all in good fun, and nails characters with equal
opportunity

Same here ^^

Anne



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