Snuffing Out Snape (Re: Snape, the "Deeply Horrible Person")

[arrowsmithbt]

No: HPFGUIDX 94485

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Jen Reese" <stevejjen at e...> wrote:
> 
> Jen: For Snape to be redeemed in the end, he needs to be dead. I 
> can't even tell you why I feel this way. I don't hate the character--
> he's an interesting read, and has played an important role in 
> Harry's life and magical development, if not a particularly 
> *pleasant* role.
> 
> Does anyone else feel this way and if so, please explain it to me?!?
> 
> So, no, I don't want to see a kinder, gentler Snape (yuck--can you 
> imagine?). I do think it's important he play a pivotal role in 
> assisting Harry one more time with LV, then he meets his maker.
> 

Well, it  all depends on how you  see Snape and how you think the
story will go, plus personal attitudes to mayhem and violence as
a plot resolution device. Those who hope or expect that decency,
moderation, forgiveness or sweetness  and light to prevail will
have one view; I take the other. (Surprise, surprise.)

Look at the way Snape has been presented over 5 books -  he's
almost been written into a cul-de-sac. Unlikeable person, doing
a dangerous job for the Order, a deserter from Voldy - not a
naturally forgiving employer,  the personal enemy of the putative
hero and not giving a damn about it, a loner.
Nah, he's been handed the Black Spot all right.

Some may disagree with the description 'loner', but IMO he is a very
private person - he never talks about himself or his past without
great provocation. He is not gregarious  by nature.Yes, he  joined
the Order, but not through any philosophical belief in goodness or 
rejection of evil. The Order is a means to an end - a very personal end.

There is a small band of posters, possibly steeped in the tradition of
Restoration tragedy (where usually *everybody* ends up dead) who
recognise the Snape character. And he's motivated by  revenge. You're
probably  sick and tired of reading Kneasy, together with the likes of
melclaros banging on about the same old thing, but that's because
no other outcome would tie up so many loose ends and remain
credible. To have an end where sunshine floods sweeping meadows,
bluebirds twitter on high and Snape becomes a bluff, kindly old duffer
might suit Disney (spit), but it would hardly be true to the tale.

He might well be redeemed; probably will be - but it will be an equivocal
action. What he does will be of benefit to the  general good but he
will do it for *personal* reasons. The 'general good' is not a concept
that he would feel is particularly relevant to his situation. He doesn't
give a  toss what anyone thinks about him; he's totally unconcerned
that so many hate or distrust  him, so long as they don't hinder him
in his pursuit of his enemy's downfall.

He'll die. I only hope that when he does, it's close enough to the end
for him to recognise that he's a winner, that he is revenged. He might
not be 'nice', but I think he deserves that. After all, Voldy was the one
responsible for what happened to his family, wasn't he? 
What? 
You didn't know? 
You can't have been listening - I've told you often enough.

Kneasy