Harry, Snape,Occlumency

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 94374

bboy_mn:
> > First, regardless of what any of the Snape defenders say, Snape 
> > did a lousy job of teaching Harry. 

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

> > Or how about deep breathing excersizes? Sit in a comfortable 
> > position and take a deep cleansing breath and let it out slowly. 

> > 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.

Annemehr:
> Yes, this is all true.  Occlumency was apparently doomed.  Reasons 
> for its failure:
> 1)The bad relationship between Snape and Harry -- Dumbledore refers 
> to this as Snape having wounds too deep for healing.   
> 2)The lateness of the attempt -- Voldemort's desire to get behind 
> the door of the DoM has infected Harry's mind for six months before 
> the lessons even begin.   
> 3)The "Drill Seargent" method 
> 4)It gets worse before it gets better
> 5)Harry is arguably having the most stressful time of his life -- 
> 6)Harry doesn't take it seriously enough --  
 
Siriusly Snapey Susan:
YES!  Thank you.  This is something I have been attempting to say for 
awhile now.  

Recently it has been pointed out that Snape came as close as he ever 
has to praising Harry during Occlumency, and this is true, but it was 
faint praise indeed *to Harry*, who'd had 5 years of expecting 
sarcasm & put-downs from Snape.  Lots of people say Snape did nothing 
wrong w/ Occlumency because it's nothing one can really teach [and 
they often mention how little Lupin told Harry about fighting 
dementors before he started practicing].  But I think what Steve says 
is true --just teaching him some things about how to slow down, how 
to clear his mind, giving him *time* to steel himself, would have 
been very helpful [even though I'm sure some are rolling their eyes 
at the image of Snape trying to discuss these things!].  

I think this would have shown Harry that Snape was truly willing to 
help him.  [Who was it who recently asked why Harry never asked for 
help?  Why *would* he ever ask Snape for help after how he's been 
treated?]  Yes, these are precisely the things I would argue that 
Snape *could* have done if he:  1) really cared about Harry's 
learning; and/or 2) was a competent teacher w/ Harry.  I think Steve 
was right on when he spoke to the importance of making it a bit 
easier at first and then making it more difficult as Harry 
experienced some success.  

I think Snape is talented, intelligent, wickedly sarcastic, and 
fighting for the good side...but I still argue he is a crappy 
teacher, at least of Harry & the Gryffindor crew!  I also think 
Kneasy is onto something that DD & Snape may have planned out how 
Snape would treat Harry, but clearly Snape has gone waaaaay overboard 
with it.

Siriusly Snapey Susan