Hogwarts' education (was: Re: [HPforGrownups] Re: Snape--Abusive?

[annegirl11 at juno.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 114746

Caveat: Before I start "excusing Snape's behavior" as people will accuse
me, let me just say, I know Snape is an ass. He's unfair, borderline
abusive, and giving Neville an ulcer. I'd just like to comment on other
parts of his character.

Kethryn (pretty name) said:
> but Snape never actually crosses the 
> line to where I would stand up and scream, "He should be behind 
> bars!" 

Exactly. And I did say that about Umbridge (my copy of OOtP has
fingernail marks on the page with the evil quill) and heartily wished
social services would investigate the Dursleys.

> I said somewhere on the board before that Snape was like a 
> burned out teacher but actually I think that assessment, upon 
> rereading the books, is incorrect.  Snape is more like a college 
> professor than a high or middle school teacher.  

I really agree. Someone's lj icon has Snape saying, "This job would be
great if it wasn't for the FUCKING STUDENTS!" So, so true - and he's not
the only teacher to think so. Snape is pretty damn smart and -- despite
his pining for DADA -- loves his subject matter (as per his lecture in
PS, which sounds like a valentine to Potions.:) It's just the
dunderheaded kids who make it miserable. He'd be much happier teaching at
a university, but alas, there isn't one. Some fanfic writer posited that
after the war, he'll take a position at some magical think tank and spend
the rest of his days in happy solitiude in his own lab.

>"It's not fair that Snape acts more like 
> a college professor and drives them harder, they are only children 
> after all." 

Aside from your argument, Kethryn, which is a good one, there's the fact
that in the WW, kids apparently grow up fast. Hogwarts is a dangerous
school by Muggle standards, and the kids are expected to take a lot of
responsibility for themselves. I can't imagine living in a college-type
dormitory at 11 years old and actually having the self-disciplen to do my
homework every night and get up in time for class every morning. I was a
good kid and I loved school, but my mom had to practically threaten my
life to get me to learn my times tables.

All the Hogwarts classes are a little more advanced than the adverage
American public school system. (ITA, Keth, about the top 1/3 of the class
being bored.) So if Snape is more demanding in his classroom, he's got
cultural precedent.

> I am willing to bet money that Snape is a damn good teacher.

Agree. I've had teachers like him, too. If you can get past being
terrified of them (like Neville needs to) and get past your fury (like
Harry needs to), you'll be surprised to realize that you're actually
learning from them. 

I suspect that Hermione actually sort of likes Potion class for the
challenge. She hates how Snape treats her friends, but since she mostly
stays off his radar (now that she's older and knows better than to try to
be the teacher's pet), she probably doesn't hold that much against him.
Hermione's more emotionally mature, so I think she just treat Potions as
an opportunity to learn, and try to ignore Snape's personality.

> I just had a strange thought, actually.  Have you noticed at 
> Hogwarts that the teachers treat the male and female students 
> exactly the same?

<nod> Yup, the WW is apparently gender fair. And, btw, not only does
Hermione take arithmancy, but it's her favorite class. (Soemthing about,
"It's fascinating, and such a challenge.") Contrast that to smart muggle
girls who would be good at math if it wasn't for the girl-excluding
classroom environment. (I ask you: why did I consistently fail math with
some -- usually older male -- teachers, yet consistently get A's and B's
with other teachers? Something's not right there.)

> coed Quidditch teams are right out the window, 

Question: in the books, I get the sense that the Quidditch *locker rooms*
are co-ed, too. When Wood addresses the team while they're getting ready,
the girls and the boys are present. Did I miss something? Is the
implication that they get dressed (and shower afterwards?) in their own,
gender-separate locker rooms, but the team warms up or puts on their gear
or something in another room?

> Snape also reminds me of Dr. Benton and his treatment of Carter 
> while he was still a student on ER.  Benton treated Carter like 
> Snape treats Harry and Carter turned out to be a damn fine Doctor.

And that other kid threw himself in front of a train.... Just sayin,
Snape = Benton, Harry = Carter, Neville = train-goo.

Aura

~*~
"I have a high self-esteem problem."
- Carson, QE
Fanfic and original stuff at www.homepage-host.uni.cc/w/ofnone