Son of Insecure!Snape (Was: prof-student etiquitte + Potions master stuff)

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 112006

SSSusan:
> <snip>
> > I understand what Nora is saying about insecurity being 
> > correlated w/ the DEMAND for respect, the constant reminder that 
> > I am a *professor.*  But I don't think insecurity is 
> > the issue with Snape.  I just think he has no patience for those 
> > who aren't also, like he is, good at & appreciative of potions.

Nora replied: 
> Actually, I was thinking less of the potions classes and more of 
> such things as the Shrieking Shack blowup, but above all, that 
> mishandled DADA class taking over for Lupin.  You can't apply the 
> love of potions to that one--and there's also the way that JKR-as-
> author retrospectively takes Snape down a peg there, with the 
> kappas thing.
> 
> There's also the suggestive but un-canonical Rickman comments 
> posted onlist not long ago, about Snape being insecure and envying 
> the successful.
> 
> But no, I was thinking more about those other large instances 
> where debate is shut down, particularly the Hospital Wing scene in 
> PoA.  Of course, there *may* be something else at work there, or 
> it may simply be that Snape really is that angry.  The readings 
> generally suggest that he doesn't do terribly well when people 
> disagree with him, unless it's a superior or equal, where he has 
> to deal with it to some degree.  Make it someone he has an 
> exercise of power over, and, well...


SSSusan:
Yes, Nora, I agree with you.  I saw two posts shortly after I 
responded to you which really did give me pause.  

First, there was the interview you mentioned, which Eloise provided 
in #111928:
>>>I find myself going back to an interview with Alan Rickman around 
the release of the first film. At the time I wondered whether this 
was his interpretation, or whether it was from what JKR had told 
him. Now I think it must have been the latter.

...................................................................
"A: Well he's Professor of Potions and the current head of Slytherin
House at Hogwarts - the school of wizardry that Harry attends, but he
harbours a secret ambition to be a Professor of the Dark Arts. He
isn't that taken with Harry though, probably because he finds him a
little too popular for a first year pupil I suppose. I think at heart
Snape is basically quite an insecure person, he's always longing to
be something else that people will really respect like a black
magician not just a school master. That's why he envies the more
popular and successful boys like Harry."<<<


SSSusan again:
This was new to me, and quite fascinating.  Yes, it's just Alan 
Rickman talking, but we all know that JKR did share things w/ him 
before filming began on SS.

And then there was this bit from Aura in #111948:
>>>You can know that you're intelligent and talented, but
still not feel confident with how other people see you.

For example, take how Snape treats Neville: Snape's worst memories
involve him being weakened and lacking control over himself and/or 
his surroundings (James hanging him upsidedown, Snape's abusive 
father). It's a common phenomenon for people to hate most about 
other people what they hate in themselves, and, imo, Snape hates 
Neville for being weak.<<<


The three of you have convinced me that insecurity may be a part of 
what's happening with Snape.  And I don't think that it necessarily 
precludes what I was saying in my previous post, either.  Snape may 
be SECURE about his intelligence and skill, *particularly* when it 
comes to his potions classes, which could account for his behavior 
there, with the dunderheads.  But, as you mention, Nora, there are 
also all those instances *outside* of class where Snape goes off, 
and in these situations it could well be a bit of that demanding 
respect out of insecurity/craving respect thing going on.

Siriusly Snapey Susan