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

[nrenka]

No: HPFGUIDX 127373


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "pippin_999" <foxmoth at q...> 
wrote:

> Pippin:
> Um, Lupin says that Sirius "nearly killed" Snape. PoA ch 18
> 
> As for the sexual harrassment, Harry  wonders how his mother could
> have married James and then wonders if he forced her. Think about
> that. Why does JKR have Harry wonder if James forced his mother into
> marriage, except to show that he understands there's a sexual aspect
> to what his father did?

To refresh your memory, Pippin, I was responding to this by Betsy:

> Betsy:

> Or the reaction of Snape when confronted with a kid who closely
> resembles the boy who sexually humiliated him and then nearly killed
> him.

I find it slightly odd to ascribe to Harry the qualities of both 
Sirius *and* James on sight, no?  [In other words, so far as we know, 
JAMES didn't try to kill Snape.  Or am I wrong there?]

> Pippin:
> The evidence is hardly unambiguous from Snape's point of view.
> Is Draco like his father? A lot of us think so,
> and yet his actions could be interpreted in other ways if you
> were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. How odd that
> we expect Snape to show more discernment than the average fan <g>

Actually, we do.  If we want to play with the idea that Snape is 
Dumbledore's right hand, Snape is sharp and perceptive, Snape is very 
good at figuring things out and thinking logically...it's a bit of a 
hole.  Being as one general contention is that Snape is very skilled 
and important and hangs around with Dumbledore for a reason, I don't 
think it's amiss to expect more out of him, and search for some 
reasons as to the particular patterns for his failings.

Should Draco suddenly pop up and show more depth next book, your 
point gains some credence, Pippin.  The 'hints' need a little more 
validation, though.  I don't have to bring up the "Oh, he was trying 
to HELP them in the QWC scene in GoF!", methinks.

> And if we all agree that it would have been idiotic of Snape to
> listen to Sirius  when he was told about how to get into the
> willow, then was it really irrational of Snape not to want
> to listen to Sirius in the Shrieking Shack?

I would generally consider it perhaps not irrational, but certainly 
irresponsible for a teacher of authority, with this personal 
relationship and some kinds of responsibilities to Dumbledore, to not 
be willing to, when he is in complete control of the situation, 
listen to another perspective before acting.  It's not only Sirius 
he's not listening to, he's shut Lupin up and he makes especial 
effort to scream at Hermione.  Why is he so interested in shutting 
her up after the events in the Hospital Wing, as well?

I submit that at the present, the most straightforward reading is one 
where he really can't bear to be contradicted.  I know that the 
DISHWASHER took this and ran with it, but I also foresee the 
DISHWASHER taking a nice long ride on the GARBAGE SCOW.

Narcissistic traits makes partial sense out of some of Snape's 
particular failings, while leaving room for some of his particular 
virtues.  The key here is to label what we do and do not know 
correctly, out of sheer politeness if nothing else. :)

-Nora keeps on with the paperwork, of course