Of course Snape is culpable! (Was Re: Snape culpable)

[vmonte]

No: HPFGUIDX 136901

Larry wrote:

I think it is the choice and only the choice. Whether
a good decision is arrived at through cold,
calculating reason, or a deeply heartfelt passion,
doesn't really matter. Whether our favorite potions
master could identify with the pain he caused is not,
at least to me, important. For me it comes down to
this, Snape has had, throughout the books, innumerable
opportunities to either cause pain, or to not cause
pain; he chose to cause pain. So doesn't his
culpability stem from his choices, not the feelings,
or the lack of feelings that may lie behind those
choices?

vmonte responds:
Exactly! Snape has always been consistent in his choice to cause 
other people pain. In this he has always been consistent! Snape's 
behavior, when isolated from his "spin," still points to a cruel and 
sadistic personality. 
   
JKR even calls Snape a "very sadistic teacher." Surely, his choice to 
consistently choose what is wrong from what is right must mean 
something?

If it is our choices that make us who we are then Snape's choice to 
cause other people pain is a FACT that cannot be taken out of the 
equation when assessing his motives and loyalties. 

Vivian