Narcissistic!Snape (was: Whither Snape?) [long!]

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 127213


>>SSSusan:
<snip>
>Well, let me refer you to this part of the essay again:
>"In order to sustain their exaggeratedly positive self-views, 
narcissists constantly seek external self-validation in the form of  
attention & admiration from others
.  When threatened, narcissists 
respond with intensely negative emotions.... Furthermore, 
narcissists respond to ego threat with aggression against others."<

Betsy:
But I don't really recall Snape looking for validation in others.  
His lack of grooming suggests that he could actually give two rips 
about the opinions of others.  Plus, there's his whole "brewing in 
the dungeons" persona.  Snape lives underground, chooses to flit 
about the castle at night when no one is about (though I'm betting 
he's on rounds as part of the protect-Potter-brigade) and seems to 
dislike social occasions (his personality at the Yule Ball).  He 
doesn't seem to be gunning for wide-ranging approval, attention, or 
admiration.  Lockhart, on the other hand... :)

>>SSSusan: 
>Think of the end of PoA and Snape's incredible ranting & raging 
after  Sirius escaped.  He was apopleptic!  Unless you buy into 
OscarWinner!Snape, that was genuine rage and (as DD categorized it) 
disappointment.<

Betsy:
Well, yes, Snape was raging and full of disappointment.  He'd been 
on the cusp of seeing Sirius Black get his (in Snape's mind) just 
desserts, and it slipped through his fingers.  This was a boy who'd 
bested him time and again in their student years. (I'm betting 
Sirius and James were rarely caught, and even more rarely punished 
for their hijinks.  I doubt ugly little Severus was quite as 
lucky.)  And, in Snape's mind, this was a boy who'd gotten away with 
an attempt to murder him.  Of course he was livid.  And I'm sure he 
was vastly dissapointed to not have his view of Sirius acknowledged 
by those Snape *does* admire - like Dumbledore.

>>SSSusan:
>He wanted that Order of Merlin (read: acknowledgement, validation), 
and he wanted revenge against Sirius.<

Betsy:
Revenge, I totally agree with.  Order of Merlin?  I'm not sure that 
was such a big deal.  Though, Snape had greatly risked his life in 
his work for the Order with no public acclaim (part of being a spy) 
and I'm sure he liked the idea of *some* type of acknowledgement.  
But since we only have Lupin's word on the importance of that Order 
of Merlin to Snape, and since Lupin's just been sacked because of 
Snape (not to mention Sirius is still a fugitive because of Snape) I 
tend to take Lupin's dig with a large grain of salt.

>>SSSusan: 
>Think also of Snape's comment to DD:  "Surely you remember that he 
tried to kill *ME*?"  Again, the possible implication that he craves 
validation, craves being considered important.<

Betsy:
Yes, by Dumbledore.  I do think Snape craves validation and approval 
from Dumbledore.  After all, Dumbledore rescued him from a very dark 
path.  And it's been hinted in the books that Snape didn't have a 
very good father, so I wouldn't be surprised if he's stuck 
Dumbledore into that role.  I've often thought that Snape sees 
himself in some sort of competition with Sirius (and perhaps all the 
Mauraders, maybe even Harry as James' son) for Dumbledore's love. 
The clashes between Snape and Sirius in OotP had a sibling rivalry 
feel to them (Dumbledore loves *me* best!), IMO.  I think Dumbledore 
realizes this about Snape, and that's part of the reason he trusts 
Snape so much - Snape is completely loyal to him.

However, just because Snape craves Dumbledore's approval, doesn't 
mean he craves the approval of the world.  In fact, I think Snape 
would let the world go hang if he could please Dumbledore.

Betsy