Snape as a teacher (was Hagrid's name)

[littleleahstill]

No: HPFGUIDX 98055

Steve wrote:
>I think, to some extent, Dumbledore believes that Snape also, 
>although unintentionally, teaches the student a valuable life 
>lesson. Thatlesson is that in the very long life of a wizard, you 
>will meet and be forced to work with people who are capable but not 
>very pleasant. In real life, as we all know from experience, you 
>have to learn to deal with these people.

>Slight Rant: this is a lesson that kids today are not learning, that
>why you find so many self-centered impolite 'Snape'-like kids in the
>world. Kids who all have a very Draconian (Draco-like) sense of
>priviledge, and can't believe that the entire world doesn't exits for
>the sole purpose of making them happy. A misconception that many 
>never get over in a lifetime. Consequently, once they are out of 
>college and in the real world, they do not function very well. So, 
>thank you very much Professor Dumbledore, that is indeed a valuable, 
>though very unpleasant, lesson for the kids to learn.
(edit)
>I do agree to a limited extent, that Dumbledore is slightly blinded 
>by the good Snape does. I think if he really knew how horribly 
>miserable some kids like Neville were, he would tell Snape to ease 
>up a bit.

Leah:

I don't disagree with the principle of children learning the world 
does not revolve around them, or that they will have to work with and 
adjust to some pretty difficult individuals.  I'm interested though, 
that you use the example of Draco, because I can not recall any way 
in which Snape has acted to make Draco question his world view of the 
importance of himself, his father, and Slytherins in general. Indeed, 
Snape's continual picking on the Gryffindor children, including ones 
like Hermione, who are genuinely hardworking and interested in 
learning, would seem to reinforce Draco's beliefs. 

I can understand that there may be reasons that Snape behaves like 
this, the need to keep up a front for Lucius Malfoy and friends being 
the most obvious.   One could also argue that Snape believes that by 
toughening up Harry and Neville he is preparing them for what is in 
store.  I think however, that Snape can't forget Harry is the son of 
the pampered and arrogant James, (and was genuinely taken aback by 
Harry's memories of childhood), and Neville is..well an easy target.

I don't imagine many people come out of McGonagall's classes thinking 
the world owes them a living, but I know who I would rather be taught 
by

Leah (who thinks that Snape is one of the most interesting characters 
in the books)