[HPforGrownups] Re: What's in it for Snape? Finding motive...

[AnitaKH]

No: HPFGUIDX 97418



cubfanbudwoman <susiequsie23 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Kneasy: 
> It's no coincidence that Harry and Neville bear the brunt of his ire, not only are they the two candidates for Prophecy glory, but they are also the most frustratingly inept (from his point of view) students in the class. 


Siriusly Snapey Susan:
Here is, not surprisingly, where we diverge, Kneasy.  As I have stated several times in the past, I have more concern over Snape's treatment of Neville than of Harry, but let me have at this a bit.  

>From CLASS ONE, Snape treated Harry nastily, embarrassing him, accusing him of things he didn't even care about [we know Harry doesn't crave celebrity, yet Snape implies that he does, for instance].  Harry **is** paying attention in that first class.  Why does Snape stare at him w/ hatred & loathing from the start, feel 
compelled to humiliate him from the start?  

<MAJOR snip of other points with which I agree>

 

akh:

When I reread PS a few weeks ago (having received my UK editions!yahoo!!), I already knew about this - er - discussion, so I was looking for canon to support or refute it.  I was struck by the following:

"It happened very suddenly.  The hook-nosed teacher looked past Quirrell's turban straight into Harry's eyes - and a sharp, hot pain shot across the scar on Harry's forehead...

"The pain had gone as quickly as it had come.  Harder to shake off was the feeling Harry had got from the teacher's look - a feeling that he didn't like Harry at all."  Philosopher's Stone, "The Sorting Hat" P. 94 paperback

At this point, there is no reason for Snape to be "demonstrating" his preference for Slytherins; who's going to see that he was glaring at Harry in a room full of students?  He most certainly has no reason to be frustrated or otherwise concerned about Harry's abilities; Harry's only been at Hogwarts a few hours at most.  If Snape's treatment of Harry is purely staged, as has been suggested, why didn't Harry see an appraising look?  Snape-as-Machiavelli would be sizing up Harry, not shooting him a look of loathing.  Snape may be able to rationalize his abusive treatment of Harry (and it IS abusive, however strategically planned), but it's not borne strictly out of calm planning, if this scene is to be given credence.

I agree that Snape has some enviable teaching abilities; anyone who can keep discipline with a group of 12-year-olds without raising their voice has my undying admiration!  However, I do believe we risk ignoring Rowling's own signals about Snape if we ascribe his behavior to calculation, and as a literary character, I'd find him less interesting if all his vitriol could be explained away as a grand master plan.

 

So there!

 

akh 

 


		
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