Whither Snape?

lupinlore bob.oliver at cox.net
Wed Apr 6 04:06:53 UTC 2005


No: HPFGUIDX 127163


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "pippin_999" <foxmoth at q...> 
wrote:
> 
> ROWLING ON SNAPE
> 
> I probably have a tendency to soften Snape's character a little too 
much, looking 
> forward to what he might become if some of his rough edges are ever 
polished. And 
> Rowling's comments don't encourage one to think they will be. But 
it  strikes me that 
> some of Rowling's comments on Snape might be a trifle disingenuous -
- when she 
> seems to be mystified at why people like him or nonplussed by some 
of the theories. 
> If she followed the fandom closely enough to know that people were 
spinning wild 
> theories about Mark Evans, surely the much larger body of 
speculation about Snape 
> could not have escaped her notice?

Well, I think that's the point.  I think JKR DOES know about all the 
speculation concerning Snape.  I don't think the speculation per se 
is what she expressed amazement at.  After all, she herself has said 
he is a fascinating character and a pleasure to write.

But the question of speculation and interest is VERY different from 
the question of seeing Snape as a positive figure.  I think the 
latter is what JKR is reacting to.  It doesn't really strike me as 
disingenuous.  I think she is honestly puzzled as to why so many 
people see so many positive traits in Snape.

Now, I think it is also a little bit of overkill to say that she sees 
NO positive traits in him (and I realize the above post does not 
claim that).  She has said he has "latent good qualities."  But she 
has also called him a "horrible" and "sadistic" person who "abuses 
his power."  I suspect she wonders why so many people (in her 
opinion) inflate Snape's good qualities (which remember, are latent) 
well out of proportion while severely downplaying the negative 
aspects to the character. 

Also I suspect she may be somewhat puzzled by the whole "nice vs. 
good" debate.  Along with nrenka, I hold that canon as we have it 
implies no such thing.  Indeed, canon (and especially OOTP) holds 
that "niceness" is indeed a very important aspect of "goodness."  
Thus, when she says we shouldn't think Snape is too "nice" and people 
then argue that she isn't saying he isn't too "good," I think they 
are implying a rigid differentiation of concepts that she doesn't 
see.  In other words, I think she was implying that Snape isn't 
too "good," and is mystified as to why that message doesn't seem to 
be getting across.


> 
> SNAPE'S FATE
> I think Snape is going to have to make some of the choices I listed 
above, 
> positively, I hope.  His anger and his distrust of Harry may hinder 
him, but if there's 
> a disaster it will probably be brought on more by Harry's unjust 
anger and inability to 
> let go of a grudge than Snape's. At the end of OOP, Harry was 
blaming Snape for 
> Sirius's death in much the same way that Snape seems to blame 
Sirius for luring him 
> into the werewolf's lair. And Harry has told himself that he's 
never, ever going to 
> forgive.
> 
> Pippin

But JKR has already done this with Harry.  Much of the problem in 
OOTP came from his inability to trust Snape, and he practically 
admits as much to himself in Dumbledore's office -- going so far as 
to see his anger at Snape as a defense.  That of course doesn't make 
it any less real.  But to go through yet another example of how 
Harry's distrust of Snape causes problems wouldn't accomplish much 
for plot or character.

For SNAPE, on the other hand, to be the instigator of disaster WOULD 
bring a lot to the table for plot and characterization.  It would 
probably finally force DD to come completely clear about his history 
with Snape, and thus further develop both his character and Severus', 
as well as clearing up lingering questions about the Marauders.

Lupinlore







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