So, what is to become of Severus Snape? (LONG)

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 127032


We are coming up on the final two books, in which JKR has promised it
is time to have some answers.  Without doubt, the truth behind Snape
is one many fans are craving.  A related topic is his ultimate fate,
i.e. where he will stand or fall at the end of the series.  This is an
attempt to summarize current theorize from this and other discussion
sites.  And to throw in a few snide comments of my own, of course.  I
see the main theories as:

1) EVER SO EVIL SNAPE:  In this theory Snape will be revealed as
thoroughly evil.  Variants include Snape as a double agent and Snape
as a slavering racist looking to set himself up as the next Dark Lord.  

I personally doubt we will see any such development.  For one thing,
although I know JKR is known for her plot twists, this would turn the
story into a pretzel.  For another, I think such a revelation would
make Dumbledore look far too much like a fool.  JKR has revealed
Dumbledore's fallible side in OOTP.  I doubt, however, that she plans
to expand the extent of Dumbledore's fallibility THAT far.

2) HERO SNAPE:  Snape will be revealed to be a critical component of
the campaign against Voldemort and will be recognized for his heroic
actions in bringing down the DEs.  This is EXTREMELY popular in
fanfiction, and has all kinds of corollaries and variants.  Among them
are OscarWinner!Snape, which holds that Snape's behavior is mainly
because of his need to maintain his pose as a DE, and
Harry'sPointofView!Snape, which holds that Snape is an honorable but
strict teacher victimized by an adolescent point of view in the narrative.

I also doubt this will turn out to be the case.  Snape's hostility is
too virulent and consistent to be a put on, and I really don't think
JKR is setting him up to be a hero.  Her own oft-expressed dismay at
his popularity combined with the observation about the need to keep an
eye on him hints, I think, at something much darker.

3)  ALL ENDS AGAINST THE MIDDLE SNAPE:  This holds that Snape is
basically loyal to Dumbledore in that he believes Voldemort mad and
dangerous, but that he does not agree with the Headmaster's
philosophy.  Instead, he essentially buys into the racism and elitism
of the purebloods, and is playing things to his own ultimate benefit.
A popular variant of this sees him working with Lucius Malfoy.

I doubt seriously he is working with Malfoy, who I think is much
wilier in fanfic than in canon, where he really does blunder around
quite a bit rather like a rabid elephant.  The overall thrust of this
argument I think is rather plausible, however.


4) DANGEROUSLY TWISTED SNAPE:  In this variant, Snape will remain
loyal to Dumbledore, but his inability to put aside his grudges will
lead to disaster.  Some see the failure of Occlumency in OOTP as a
foreshadowing.  Others think that the problems arising from Harry's
inability to trust Snape in OOTP will be mirrored by disaster arising
from Snape's inability to trust Harry in later books.

Personally, I think this is the most plausible direction for the
Potions Master.  Certainly their has been a lot of groundwork laid for
such a development.


5) REDEMPTIVE BUT BITTER AND UNHEROIC SNAPE:  This possibility, which
has recently been kicked around at Sugar Quill, holds that Snape may
end pretty much as he began (in terms of the series).  The gist of it
is that Snape is working for Dumbledore in order to atone for his
deeds as a DE, but that he is a bitter and twisted man undeserving of 
rewards simply because he finally acted like a decent human being. 
You don't give medals to criminals just because they don't break the
law anymore.  Snape has sinned, and Snape must pay.  When he has paid
he will be allowed to remain free and to stay underground and out of
sight in his dungeon where he belongs, and where he will be quickly
and deservedly forgotten.  Glory properly goes to much more honorable
and untainted figures, including Sirius Black and The Boy who Lived.

Some support for this can be found in Dumbledore's mild response to
Harry's hatred of Snape.  Dumbledore insists that Harry uses proper
titles, and points out errors of fact Harry has made, but never
chastises the boy for his general attitude or behavior toward Snape. 
In some ways, Dumbledore can be seen as sending a subtle but powerful
message that Snape is not a good or likeable person, and that Harry is
quite right to hold the man in contempt.

I doubt this is where things are headed.  I think that Dumbledore's
interactions with Harry DO give some evidence that his attitude toward
Snape is not entirely positive.  However, my intuition is that JKR has
a more definitive end for Snape than this.


Anyway, that's a brief roundup.  Additions, subtractions, and roars of
rage are welcome.


Lupinlore