What's in it for Snape? Finding motive...

[melclaros]

No: HPFGUIDX 97374

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Barry Arrowsmith 
<arrowsmithbt at b...> wrote:
I really don't understand why the misanthropy of Snape seems to 
> cause problems for some. It's a deliberate characterisation, isn't 
it? 


Mel comes out of hiding to say Yes, yes! Thank you. Snape is Snape. 
A rose by any other name and all that. In other words, he's a thorny 
bastard.



Kneasy:
> So he seems to hate/dismiss/feel contempt for most of the other 
> characters in the books. 

Mel:
"Seems" is the operative word here. Snape clearly   
hates/dismisses/feels contempt for *some* of the other characters in 
the books. So far Black and James Potter, certainly. The DADA 
teachers and many of 
his students are the immediate ones who spring to mind. 
But look around. There is no evidence that he has anything but civil 
or at *least* ambivilent feelings for all but the true buffoons on 
the staff. He has a pleasant rivalry with McG--dare I use the 
word 'friendship'? He respects DD greatly(or so it seems up to this 
point, though WHY I don't know given the way DD treats him) and even 
goes to *Filch* for help, for heaven's sake!
In PoA he seems to be on civil speaking terms with Cornelius Fudge. 
He's a contributing member of the order--I don't recall any of them 
complaining that he hates everyone.


Kneasy:
Why not? That is assuming that what we see is  what is truly there 
with no distortions, exaggerations or personal  prejudices - 
remember, we see everything through Harry's eyes, and he  ain't 
exactly objective.


Mel:
Exactly why "we" have only seen I-hate-everyone!Snape. He may 
INDEED hate every other person he's ever met in his life. From what 
we've seen he might have very good reason. But he's done a fair job 
hiding it. Harry has been a self-centered brat so far, completely 
self absorbed.(Why doesn't he ask questions? There's a heap of gold 
in a safe with his name on it and he's NEVER asked where it came 
from. He had grandparents, who were they? And etcetera.) It should 
come as no surprise  that, by Harry's reasoning (what there is of 
it) since Snape (appears to) hate(s) Harry, he, by extension, hates 
EVERYONE.
I'm sincerely hoping that Harry's self-absorption reached its peak 
(for the reader nadir) and he will now come out of himself enough to 
see that although he likely plays a very important role in 
things, he is NOT alone.



Kneasy:
> True, JKR reckons he's not at all nice, possibly sadistic, 
vindictive, all that good stuff that upsets some fans, but he is 
essential.



Mel:
I'd say seminal. I'm putting my cards on the table here and 
saying "No Snape, No Story."
As to his personality, if he'd been Lupin he'd have been dead by now.
JKRowling quote (sorry don't remember exactly which interview it 
was): "Don't worry about Snape, he's tough."




Kneasy: 
> Snape, of course. Essentially his function is as the everyday 
presence 
> that makes Harry's life a misery. Splendid!


Mel:
Someone's gotta do it. Really. Someone has to.


Kneasy:
All I hope is that he stays in character right to 
> the end - and the hints from JKR is that he will.

<snip>

> So I have high hopes; Snape, the most interesting personality in 
the  books by far, will not go belly up, join the Band of Hope, sign 
the  pledge and start a campaign for the rehabilitation of 
distressed DEs.


Mel:
AMEN. For better or worse, as long as he stays Snape, he's alright 
with me.



Melpomene