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

[arrowsmithbt]

No: HPFGUIDX 97424

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "dumbledore11214" <dumbledore11214 at y...> 
> 
> Yep, I can't contain myself from saying it again 'Snape started 
> it" :o) With Dumbledore's blessing (quite likely) or not, Snape 
> started it. Having Harry's survival at heart (possible, I admit) or 
> not, Snape started it.
> 
> And Harry supposed to change his attitudes first? Sorry, not in my 
> book. :o)

Oh, dear. Might have known it. The putative hero of the story gets 
the support, one of the villains(?) gets brickbats.
'Twas ever thus.

Can you imagine what that egotistical, unthinking, opinionated little
snot would be like if Snape backed down? He'd be insufferable!
He'd be like Malfoy, only without the breeding. Only to be expected
mind you, he's really a Slytherin, after all.

Have another look at young Potter -  as an individual. He's not all
that nice to anyone except a small gang of supporters. It's his
circumstances that makes him appear to be a sympathetic
character, not his personality. In OoP he seemed to be behaving
in ways that will end up with him being more like his father than
just in looks. 

Except in episodes of extreme provocation, just what has Snape
done anyway? Some sarcastic comments, marks docked, "Points
from Gryffindor!" yet the reaction would hardly be more damning
if he'd dragged Harry and Neville to the front of the class and
thrashed them soundly thrice weekly. Sorry SSS, sadism it ain't.
Now Bella, *that's* sadism. Snape is a gentle zephyr by comparison.
Ask Neville, he'll confirm it.

Of course, modern thinking predicates that the hard word results
in damaged personalities. No sign of any effect from Snape's
actions yet in HP. So if Snape wants to live up to the reputation 
given to him by some posters, he'll have to try a bit  harder.
"Come on, Sevvy! You can do it!"

Kneasy