Harry, the adults, and thanking Snape

[dzeytoun]

No: HPFGUIDX 115284


Let's turn all the arguments about Harry thanking Snape, or not, 
around.  A couple of people have pointed out that, while it is true 
that Harry does not thank Snape for saving his life in PS/SS or for 
his actions in PoA, nevertheless none of the adults urge him to do 
so.  Isn't it curious that in his speech at the end of PS/SS, where 
he explains the friction between Snape and James, Dumbledore never 
recommends or urges Harry to thank Snape for saving his life?  Nor 
does McGonagall, for that matter.

On the matter of Occlumency, it is also interesting, although a more 
minor point, that no one ever suggests that Harry should thank Snape 
for being willing to teach him.  It would be natural for Remus, when 
he urges Harry to study hard, to add "and you might want to thank 
Snape for being willing to teach you."  

We have talked a lot about Harry not thanking Snape.  Yet surely one 
reason he does not is the subtle message he gets from adults that 
Snape doesn't need to be thanked.  Frankly, all the adults seem to 
have the attitude, conveyed in multiple ways, that Snape is only 
doing his duty (to the Order, to James, or both) and therefore 
doesn't need/deserve thanks.  In my opinion they are conveying an 
even starker message.  One justifiable read of their attitude seems 
to be "We know you don't like Snape.  We don't like him, either.  But 
he does have useful functions, like doing his duty for which one does 
not need to thank him."  The other even subtler message is "Yes, 
Snape hates you.  He saves you because he is duty bound, so don't 
feel the need to thank him for it."

Given that we are dealing with a young boy in the age range 11 to 15, 
it isn't very surprising that he doesn't feel much need to thank 
Snape, or even to try and reach some truce with him, given such 
messages.

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