Snape, the "Deeply Horrible Person"

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 94288

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Jen Reese" <stevejjen at e...> 
wrote:
> I'm re-reading JKR interviews and ran across this one at Quick 
> Quotes:
> 
> Q: Who's your favorite character besides Harry Potter?
> 
> A: It's very hard to choose. It's fun to write about Snape because 
> he's a deeply horrible person. Hagrid is someone I'd love to meet. 
> 
> http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/quickquotes/articles/1999/0999-
> familyeducation-abel.htm
> 
> I'm not a huge Snape fan and this quote has probably been analyzed 
> to death. But the comment caught my eye and I wanted to hear other 
> opinions.
> 
> This seems like a *very* strong negative characterization to me. It 
> also doesn't seem particulary consistent with the canon we have so 
> far. Snape is presented as complex, bitter, angry, etc. But I've 
> never seen his behavior as "deeply horrible" in the way of, say, 
> LV's behavior.
> 
> Since we only know what JKR has given us so far, but she carries 
> with her the full knowledge of each character's past and future 
> actions, I tend to think of these interview comments as either 
> subtle slip-ups or JKR subtly manipulating the way we see a 
> character (for the future *Bang* value!).
> 
> So after she makes that comment in 1999, we're presented with a 
> little backstory on Snape in OOTP that makes him more sympathetic, 
> IMO. Are we being lulled into a false sense of security with that 
> backstory?!? With all the references to Dumbledore's trust? OTOH, 
> maybe in 1999 JKR realized her audience didn't read Snape the same 
> way as she intended, so that comment was made to reinforce 
> his 'horrible' behavior and thus make his redemption more 
surprising 
> in the end.
> 
> Jen, who always assumed Snape would be redeemed until now...


I remember reading on the list that JKR engages into clever double - 
bluff in regards to Snape. Unfortunately, I don't remember who said 
that, so I apologise in advance.
 
After GoF it was clear to us that Harry's suspicions about Snape 
working for Voldie do not have any basis anymore. So, when  at the 
end of OOP Harry says that he will never ever forgive Snape, will 
never trust him, etc. we don't really believe him anymore. (only in 
regards to snape working for Voldie. ;o)


So, when Harry and Co will suspect Snape of doing something really 
bad (I don't know betraying the Order member or Dumbledore himself), 
the readers will not care much about their suspicions and will be 
fooled again.

Now, this betrayal could turn out not to be a real betrayal at the 
end, but I believe that such scenario is possible.


Alla


Alla