[HPforGrownups] Re: Hermione saves Snape?

[Lawrence Carlin]

No: HPFGUIDX 138262

--- dumbledore11214 <dumbledore11214 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Jazmyn wrote:

Snip

 She might realize that Snape was
> bound by the 
> > unbreakable vow and had no choice.  Harry blinds
> himself with 
> hatred and 
> > refuses to see what the vow would have forced
> Snape to do.  

Larry now: 
Snape was not bound to do anything, nor was he forced
to do anything. Dumbledore has spoken of the choice
between doing what is right and what is easy. GOF Am.
ed. P. 724. And Phineas Nigellus tells Harry,...."We
Slytherins are brave, yes, but not stupid. For
instance, given the choice, we will always choose to
save our own necks." OOTP Am. ed. P. 495.

I think what we have here is the fundamental
distinction between a Gryffindor and a Slytherin. That
a Gryffindor will choose to do what is right, even at
the cost of his or her life. While the Slytherin will
choose to save their own life at the expence of doing
what is right.

This sort of crisis situation is a test of character,
and the choice one makes determines that character.
But there is always a choice; the Slytherin may rise
above self preservation as a prime motivator, and a
Gryffindor may choose to abandon what is right and
embrace self preservation. There is always a choice.


Larry




		
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