Lupin's resentment : An inside to Snape's resentment

[vmonte]

No: HPFGUIDX 94176

Silverthorne wrote:
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.

vmonte responds:

Verbal abuse, especially from someone like Snape who uses words to 
manipulate people and situations, is quite harmful -- especially to a 
child who doesn't have the life experience to understand where Snape 
is coming from.  
It is not possible for an 11 year old to not take verbal abuse 
personally.  Snape is not trying to mold and toughen students up 
(although he may be fooling himself that he is), he is trying to 
knock them down.  It may turn out that Snape is indeed working for 
the Order, but I bet it's not because he is good deep down, but 
because logically it makes sense for him to do so. (If you ask me 
Voldemort is a complete buffoon.) It could also be that Snape will be 
getting something in return for his loyalty!

Snape is a great and interesting character.  I have to admit that I 
enjoy his quick wit. His nasty comments/come backs make me laugh -- I 
wish I could be so witty/clever. 

But I do not fool myself in thinking that he is a good, yet 
misunderstood, person.  

I also don't think that people who have bad life experience have an 
excuse to treat people like garbage.  People have to take 
responsibility for their own actions!  

You can get more out of your students if you give them encouragement 
and treat them with respect.  I would prefer that my child had 
someone like Lupin as a teacher.  

vmonte