"Professor" Snape

[Wanda Sherratt]

No: HPFGUIDX 98144

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "finwitch" <finwitch at y...> 
wrote:
> Nah - respect must be *earned*. While I do see that Severus Snape 
has 
> earned Dumbledore's respect (for things Harry does not know about 
and 
> no one bothers to tell him) he has NOT earned Harry's.
> 
I disagree.  Among equals, respect is earned, but not in a 
hierarchical situation, such as a school.  It's the same as being in 
the army.  A person can privately think whatever they want about 
their superior, but the superior rank automatically entitles one to 
outwardly respectful behaviour.  Harry and Snape aren't equals - 
Harry is a child and a student.  The whole point of being at 
Hogwarts is to acquire what the teachers already have; it isn't just 
a holding tank for kids to kick their heels for a few years.  
Snape's only job is to put knowledge into empty heads.  I notice 
that Hogwarts isn't one of those schools where students are allowed 
to grade their teachers, so Harry's opinion of Snape is irrelevant.  
When he knows as much as Snape does, he will be his equal and can 
decide whether or not respect is due to him.

Wanda