The resolution of Snape (was Re: Harry mastering his emotions in

[Hannah]

No: HPFGUIDX 118260


Naama wrote:
> For me, it's almost a given that Snape will die. This has been 
quoted many times:
> 
> Q: There's an important kind of redemptive pattern to Snape
> A: He, um, there's so much I wish I could say to you, and I can't 
because it would ruin. I 
> promise you, whoever asked that question, can I just say to you 
that I'm slightly stunned 
> that you've said that and you'll find out why I'm so stunned if 
you read Book 7. That's all 
> I'm going to say. (found in www.quick-quote-quill.org, from a 1999 
interview).
> 
> Not that she's explicitly saying, "he's going to sacrifice himself 
to save Harry's life"... 
> for me, though, it's as good as. 
> 

Hannah: That's an interesting interrpretation. I really, really hope 
you're right, because I'd rather have dead!good!Snape than living!
evil!Snape.  As a Snape fan, I felt sick when I first read this 
quote. I'd been fervently hoping up till then that Snape would turn 
out to be a good guy in the end, and maybe even end up getting on ok 
with Harry.  I'd undergone mental contortions to excuse his 
behaviour up till now.

But this, and a couple of other quotes, have left me thinking that, 
much as I would like to see redeemed Snape, it's not going to 
happen.  I think JKR is trying to tell us that Snape isn't going to 
be reformed, isn't going to turn out good.  I've never seen it as 
meaning he'll sacrifice himself for Harry, I've always thought of it 
as meaning he'll turn out bad in the end.  To me, Snape giving his 
life for Harry's would be completion of the very 'redemptive 
pattern' that JKR seems to be debunking when she says this.  But you 
give me new hope!

Naama continued:
> I agree with Lupinlore that Harry learning to grin and bear it 
with Snape would be insipid 
> [it, not you, SSSusan!]. I don't exactly know why - it sounds so 
healthy and well-adjusted. 

Hannah: JKR has so much fun writing - and we do reading - all the 
sparring between Harry and Snape, that I can't see her changing it 
too much.  I think Harry has a long way to go before he can stop 
letting Snape bother him, and as Snape has a big part to play in the 
story yet, I think it's unlikely that there's going to be any truce 
on either side.  

One thing that I think could make Harry able to ignore Snape's 
taunting would be a better understanding of the Potions teacher, and 
why he behaves as he does (assuming there is some good reason).  
Especially if Harry could understand that Snape's hatred of him 
isn't actully as personal as it seems.  

I would argue that Snape doesn't have a problem with Harry exactly, 
more what he percieves the boy as representing.  He doesn't hate the 
real Harry, as he doesn't really know Harry.  He hated Harry before 
he met him, and the things he criticises in Harry, such as 
arrogance, don't tie in at all with the character we have come to 
know.

So maybe Harry will come to understand that Snape's hatred of him is 
Snape's own problem, not his, and that, I think, would enable him to 
just let it wash over him and not feel he has to defend himself.  
For example:
Harry: 'So Professor Snape had a son my age who was murdered by 
Voldemort and that's why he hates me so much?  I never thought I'd 
feel sorry for Snape again... Oh well, in that case nothing I do is 
ever going to make him like me or treat me better, and he's 
obviously a bit sad, I've got more important things to worry 
about...'

Hannah, taking a short break from watching her new PoA DVD (it's the 
best!)

Fanfic at www.schnoogle.com/authorLinks/Hannah_Marder/