Bullying (was: SPOILERS.Re: JKR site update)

[sophierom]

No: HPFGUIDX 115139


> 
> Aura: 
> > I think this was an older question, but I noticed that Jo
answered 
> > a q, "What is your advice for kids who are being bullied." Her 
> > answer is an emphatic, "TELL SOMEONE." So in regards to the
"abuse" 
> > debate that's been going on, it is apparently Jo's opinion that 
> > Harry was wrong not to tell anyone about Umbridge's detentions,
and 
> > that Neville probably should talk to someone about the anxiety 
> > Snape has been causing him. (BTW, I agree with the people who
said 
> > that Harry isnt' being particularly abused by Snape, but Neville 
> > is.) 

 
> SSSusan:
> I found it interesting that JKR answered that question *not* in 
> the "About the Books" category, but in the "Other Stuff" category. 
<snip> 
> JKR's answering this question *is* interesting in light of recent 
> discussions around here, but I do think it's noteworthy that she's 
> pulled it to the "Other Stuff" section.  I think she's writing to 
> today's children, living in RL, not *necessarily* equating it to
what 
> our crew is dealing w/ in her fictional WW.

Sophierom:

Just thought I'd mention that in my perusal of CoS today, I found this
quote, which seems relevant to this discussion:

CoS, Chapter 11, 186-187 (Am. Ed.) - This scene takes place as Harry
looks to create a diversion in potions class so that Hermione can
steal from Snape's stores.  JKR begins the scene by writing that,
"Thursday afternoon's lesson proceeded in the usual way."  Later
in 
the scene, just before the diversion is to begin, "Snape paused to
sneer at [Harry's] watery potion. When Snape turned and walked off to
bully Neville, Hermione caught Harry's eye and nodded."  

Here JKR uses the word "bully" in conjunction with Neville (for Harry,
Snape only "sneers").  And this is supposed to be a "usual" class. 
Not only does Snape sneer and bully, but he also "prowls" and and
makes "waspish remarks" to the Gryffindors while the Slytherins 
"snigger."  (other quotes found in same scene)

I think SSSusan makes a good point in that RL bullying can be quite
different from the sorts of problems we see in HP.  But, I find JKR's
use of the verb bully here to be telling.  It's only once, true, and
she might have simply been looking for a strong very and not 
thinking about it much.  Still, I thought I'd offer it to the
discussion because it makes me think she'd agree with Aura and others
who see Snape's behavior as bullying and even abusive when it comes to
Neville.  To the rest of the class, he may be a mean git, sneering and
making waspish comments, but to Neville, he's a bully, plain and
simple.

Sophierom, who apologizes if the message text doesn't end up looking
right - I've been having a hard time with that lately, even though I
check that little box before hitting send! Sorry.