CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chapter 28, Snape's worst memory

[delwynmarch]

No: HPFGUIDX 115071



Hannah wrote : 
" Some people laughed and cheered.  Not everyone.  Some people looked
apprehensive (I wonder what other James/Snape fights they'd
witnessed).  I think this is a case of crowd mentality, with everyone
rooting for the very popular Potter, and not bothering to wonder
whether Snape deserved his treatment or not.  Maybe he was unpopular,
but that could just be because he was a 'greasy oddball,' which I've
always suspected was MWPP's real objection to him."

Alla commented :
" Well, some people looked apprehensive, but OTHERS entertained, so 
besides the fact that the fight gathered many observers, the majority
of such observers were entertained. I could be a case of crowd
mentality, but is it possible that other reasons existed for the Snape
to be  so unpopular that NOBODY except Lily interfered on his behalf?"

Del remarks :
Draco has attacked Harry publicly quite often over the years. Very
rarely have we seen anyone but Harry's close friends try and defend
him. But quite often we have seen people laughing at Draco's taunts,
and even supporting Draco ("Potter stinks" badges). Harry has been
more or less unpopular several times already, and there was rarely a
good *objective* reason for that. Most of the time, it's just a matter
of what things *seem* to be, and what is the loudest opinion around.

So maybe, maybe, it was just that Snape *seemed* to be a bad guy, and
the Marauders were the loudest in voicing their opinion.

I don't think things were that simple, but I do think it could count
for a lot in the crowd's reaction.

Del