Harry learning from Snape (was: stopper death)

[M.Clifford]

No: HPFGUIDX 114527


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "cubfanbudwoman" 
<susiequsie23 at s...> wrote:
> 
> Dzeytoun:
> > B) Actually, I don't think the question of "learning from Snape" 
> > is one that needs to be put in stark terms of "defiance" 
> > or "ignoring Snape's insults."  That is a false dichotomy, and 
> > implies that either Harry must defy Snape and learn nothing or 
> > else adopt some reprehensible policy that injustice doesn't 
matter as long as it serves some greater good.
> SSSusan:
> 
> The future of the WW is truly hanging in the balance.  Harry's own 
> life is in the utmost jeopardy.  And yet he should "under no 
> circumstances respond to Snape with respect unless the respect has 
> been earned"?  I think TOO MUCH is at stake to worry about that so 
> much just now.
> 
> I actually agree with you that one way Harry could move on is to 
> listen & learn while still not being meek about Snape's treatment 
of him.  But if it's not working well, why would it be so awful to 
just swallow some of it and NOT be defiant? 


Valky:
Hi everybody,
For the most part reading this thread I have agreed unequivocally 
with what Dzeytoun has said, that Harry deseves to retain his self 
worth and what Harry endures, as a relationship with Severus Snape, 
is far and away enough reason for him to feel something that is less 
than respect for the man.

Here, however, I would also like to say how I entirely support what 
SSSusan is saying. Harry has far larger fish to fry in his young 
life. Although his emotional maturation and sense of inner balance 
are made no less important by this more major reality, they *are* 
made much smaller. It wouldn't hurt Harry to just bide along for the 
sake of ignoring the smallish bump in the road and reserve his 
energy for the hillclimb. Harry can use both a defiant stand and a 
calm rationalisation of his emotional drain to his advantage, both 
to me seem to be fair option. 

Strangely, though, I don't think Harry has been all that defiant 
toward Snape anyway not a pinch on his tall stand against Umbridge 
at the very least. In fact I think this is an indication that Harry 
*does* respect Snape. 

In all his flaws Harry has some deep and confusing feelings of 
understanding and admiration for Snape. Over time they have been 
reinforced by Snape having protected Harry, covertly, from harm, by 
Lupin's quiet reminders that Snape is accomplished and clever, by 
Dumbledores calm reinforcements to him that Snapes flaws are not 
enough to write him off on, by Macgonagalls quiet working 
camaraderie with him and not least of all by Hagrids even faith in 
him. These are the reasons that Harry has never stood up in Potions 
class and openly chewed out Snape to spite all Snape has done him 
harm, and he never afforded Umbridge the same level of esteem. 

In regard to the the question: Was Harry being disrespectful by 
looking into Snapes pensieve? I say that there *is* a show of 
respect in his curiosity. Had Harry been looking in Umbridges 
pensieve it would certainly have been with an intent, but for 
Snapes, as with Dumbledore, Harry had no intent. Just a feeling of 
connection that he couldn't shake. That feeling of connection is 
*because* he respects them, and not *because he doesnt*. 

It is DD who understands that Harrys desire to connect with his 
knowledge is a sign of his respect and not the opposite, and Snape 
who is without this wisdom. Not at all to say that Harrys delving 
into Snapes secrets is justifiable by this, it is not. 
However, to say that his doing so "shows a disrespect for Snape" is 
largely contradicted by Harrys *actual* respect for Snape, and so to 
me the act does not inescapably point to a lack of respect.


Valky