Snape deserves to die, but...

[tbernhard2000]

No: HPFGUIDX 137710

Of course, Harry, being beyond mere revenge, isn't all that interested
in getting the murderer Snape. He is after the big boss, and mentions
he'll get Snape IF he gets in the way.

To remind the readers, though. Snape is culpable in the following ways
- he is responsible for conveying information to Tom that lead
directly to the death of James and Lily. He killed Dumbledore.

Besides, unlike Pippin, I don't think that "tolerance" is the main
theme of the books, but more like humility, which is a MUCH harder
read, and much more radical a thesis in these times than mere
tolerance, which accepts as valid differences that are as meaningless
as race in the real world. If one finds oneself "tolerating" muggle
borns, then one has accepted the distinction in the first place. That
is racism, period.

It's humility in the big sense. Over and over on this list I talk
about secular Calvinism - the belief that there is more to an
individual than some set of backgrounds, influences, etc. I deny any
theory can encompass existence. Idealism is a very dangerous road,
fraught with fallacy and arrogance and inevitably develops a
dictatorial bent.

Besides, if Snape is already redeemed, his story is just banal.
There's nothing more to tell. He's a good guy, Albus right hand man,
and Harry is in good hands, and the whole story can be summed up as
Harry learning the truth about Snape. That, I submit, is more trite
that TV.

If Snape is not redeemed yet, however, then he is culpable for the
things that have been stated in the books, and the gollum or gollum -
like option is pretty much the only way to go. In other words, he
cannot ever be a hero.

Now, before anyone accuses me of blood-lust or desire for revenge, or
starts telling me about the morality tale that the books are, let me
just reiterate - Snape deserves to die, but neither Harry nor I are
bent on revenge. It's just the case. Anything Snape does for the side
of good is nothing more than what he should be doing. Anything he does
for the side of evil... oh, can't I let you answer that?

dan