CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chapter 28, Snape's worst memory

[hogsheadbarmaid]

No: HPFGUIDX 115663


Alla:
snip
> 
> CHAPTER SUMMARY.
snip
 Harry is at the
> office door, when he sees a patch of shivering light
> dancing on the door frame. Harry realizes that this
> light reminds him of the lights in the room from his
> dream.

I had forgotten this "reminds him of the dream" thing.  What do you 
think that is about??  Is this a clue to something?

 
> DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.
> 
> 
> 1. So, what is the reason for the title of this
> chapter? It had been discussed many times, but why not
> give it another try?
> 
> 7. "Students all around had turned to watch. Some of
> them had gotten to their feet and were edging nearer
> to watch. Some looked apprehensive, others
> entertained." 
> "Several people watching laughed.  Snape was clearly
> unpopular" Why are there indications that the other
> kids watching the scenery are not upset, but even
> *enjoying* what Potter and Black are doing to Snape?  
> 
> 8. James responds to Lily's question "What did he ever
> done to you? " with "it's more the fact that he
> exists, if you know what I mean".(emphasis mine) , So
> what does James mean and what is Lily supposed to
> know?.
> 
> 9. Why did Snape call Lily "mudblood"? Do you see any
> indications in this chapter that he could have
> feelings for her?

barmaid's comments:

This is *one* of the ways I imagine this scene:

While we are told of Snape having a "gang" of Slytherin buddies I do 
believe that canon shows us Snape's character as really more that of 
a loner.  Snape has just finished a hard test that he feels he has 
done well on.   For one brief moment he feels that he has more in 
common with the smart, popular Marauders than the Crabe and Goyle 
like dopes he usually sits on the sidelines with.   So he lurks on 
the edge of their turf – maybe imagining that he could join in on the 
conversation about the signs of a werewolf or ask what they wrote for 
number 12.  He knows he won't really join in.  But he is close enough 
to pretend a little.  Maybe for once he won't get picked on.  But all 
too soon the popular powerful ones get board with talking about the 
test and find they need some entertainment.  Snape knows from 
experience that he has to get out of there.  He is not popular.  He 
is not athletic or attractive.  The gray underwear indicates either 
poverty or poor hygiene habits, both of which are fodder for 
taunting.  He turns to leave, reaching for his wand.  From his 
experience he knows that he'll need it.

We know that the Marauders change a lot over the years after this 
event.  We are told this anyway.  However, there seems to be a 
general idea that young Snape is just a young version of the adult he 
has become.  I do not think this one incident turned Snape from a 
good kid into a DE.  But I also think that you can not discount the 
impact that bullying can have on a teen.  I know I would count 
teenage humiliations as among my worst memories.  I know those 
humiliations have impacted who I am today.  Actually I can put myself 
in every role in this scene – it all rings very true to teenage group 
dynamics.  The crowd gains something from seeing the loser 
humiliated – it lets them know that they are not the losers.  It puts 
them on the side of the popular, smart and beautiful ones.  The one 
being humiliated lashes out at the defender because they think that 
gives them some power in the situation.  The one "goody good" speaks 
up for the "loser".  It all seems very familiar to me.  And deadly 
serious – not just some "prank" but parts of the puzzle that make up 
the Snape we know today. 

Side thought:  It is sort of interesting that while these are Snape's 
memories we do not know Snape's thoughts -- which may be the most 
important part of the story.