Harry, Snape,Occlumency

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 94294

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "tipgardner" <tipgardner at n...>
wrote:
> "annemehr" wrote:
> > Yes, twice-a-week lessons for over three months, and very little
> > progress.  Harry's never failed like that before.  Even though he
> > did not practice nearly enough 
> 
> > So Occlumency lessons did indeed make Harry more vulnerable to the
> > scar connection.  Yet Snape never warned Harry of this effect, 
> > which added to Harry's confusion.  No wonder the kid had trouble 
> > learning! 
> > 
> > The more he practiced Occlumency (and he did manage to repel Snape
> > more than once during lessons), the more open he was to the scar
> > connection...

> 
> Tip replied:
> I feel ... something much more along the lines of Harry not really 
> wanting to stop the visions. ..., Harry is also somewhat drawn
> to hear the voices of his parents, something he had never previously
> heard. So his desires were clashing with what he knew he should or
> was supposed to be doing.
> 
> Tip


bboy_mn:

First, regardless of what any of the Snape defenders say, Snape did a
lousy job of teaching Harry. I don't think Snape did that with
willfull intent. I think the tension and animosity between him and
Harry is so great the neither of them was capable of making the
situation work.

Put yourself in a situation where someone, like an evil drill sargent,
is standing over you screaming at you to be calm and clear your mind.
That's just not going to work. I would think anyone, even those among
us with limited life experience, could have done a better job of
teaching Harry to clear his mind, especially to clear it of emotion
just before bedtime. 

Snape's approach is 'clear your mind you maggot!!!!', but as anyone
who has ever been angry or emotional knows, emotions don't turn on and
off like a light switch. You need to have some method, some technique
to facilitate the process. 

So, how about creative visualization? Harry pictures himself in a warm
spring meadow with butterflys and humming birds, eagles soaring over
head, the soft rush of the wind as it sways the tall grass, the sweet
fragrance of wild flowers fill the air, etc... etc.... 

Or how about deep breathing excersizes? Sit in a comfortable position
and take a deep cleansing breath and let it out slowly. Then breath
slowly concentrating on the air as it flow in and out of your
nostrils. With each exhale, let the tension and strife of daily life
flow out with it. etc... etc... etc...

How about if Snape, in the beginning, gives Harry time to prepare,
time to steel himself against the assault on his mind? In otherwords,
make it easy at first, so that Harry is successful, then gradually as
Harry's skill increases, make the assaults on his mind more difficult.

I think Harry actually learn Occlumency better than we think he did.
On the night Trelawney was sacked, which I just read last night, Harry
is able to resist immediately. While Snape does force thoughts from
Harry's minds, Harry is not lost in those thoughts, he maintains his
awareness of the world around him and of Snape, and is able to use the
 'Protego' shield charm to stop Snape. More than stopping Snape, he is
able to reverse the spell which then falls upon Snape, and Snape's
memories are revealed. That particular session is then interupted by a
commotion in the entrance hall; Trelawney being sacked. 

Also, as the school year progresses circumstances conspire against
Harry's efforts. It's already a high-stress year with O.W.L.s coming
up and homework overload. That is then compounded by Umbridges ever
more foul powerplays. Harry is infuriated by Snape's general attitude,
and the fact that Snape is offering no helpful technique at achieving
the goal he demands. As Tip pointed out, Harry is consumed by
curiousity about what is behind that door in the Department of
Mysteries, and who wouldn't be. He has lost Quidditch which was one of
his best methods for coping with stress. He is worried about Sirius.
He is worried about Voldemort. He is worried about Cho. He is worried
about Ron. So, while he should be worrying less, circumstances are
forcing him, as it would with any normal person, to worry more.

Given all this, is it really that hard to believe that simply having
Snape order him to clear his mind was not enough to get the job done?

Of course, the author needed things to follow this path, so that the
book could progress in the necessary direction. The author needs Harry
to fail at Occlumency because she needs him to see the vision
Voldemort projects onto him, and she needs him to end up at the
Department of Mysteries. The true measure of whether she, the author,
succeeded in her attempt to bring about pre-destine events is whether
the characters remained true to themselves.

I think she very much succeeded by this measure. Snape was as Snapey
as ever, in his finest Snape form, and Harry was very much true to
himself. Given the circumstance, I can very very much believe his
attitude, and where his attitude lead him. I think all of JKR's
character portrayals were spot on in this book. People are upset
because Harry was so angry and upset, but I ask, how could he be
otherwise under the circumstances? People were upset because Hermione
seemed a little too wise, but again, I thought she was spot on. The
book may have had some weaknesses, but character portrayal and
development were not one of them in my book.

But, that's just one man's opinion.

bboy_mn