Dumbledore's master plan

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 138417

> Larry now:
> 
> Would you have one's basic nature, or character as
> deterministic? Do you suggest that a person with a
> powerful predilection for addiction is incapable of
> overcoming that addiction? That a person of the most
> reprehensible character cannot literally "see the
> Light" and choose to repent? You mention the bible,
> what does the bible say of the penitent? If choice
> cannot be made to overcome character, there would not
> exist a single penitent.
> 

Well, one way around that is a belief in predestination.  Not 
popular these days, I know, and I don't believe in it myself, but 
plenty of people have believed it over the centuries.

More to the point of JKR's story, just because character is basic 
doesn't mean it's simple.  It's entirely possible for someone's 
actions and choices to be determined by character but have character 
be so complicated and internally divided that actions and choices 
are often contradictory and seemingly inexplicable.  This may, 
perhaps, be where she is going with Snape.  I don't know, but it is 
a possibility.

Also, even if you believe in character as a prime determinent, 
external stimuli play a role.  If you are by character an apple 
thief but never run across an apple in your daily life you probably 
won't steal any apples.  On the other hand, if you work in an apple 
pie factory, you will probably turn out to be a criminal (even if a 
petty one).

Similarly if Snape had a job where he worked by himself all day long 
the abusive and short-tempered side of his character might never 
have come out.  But putting him in front of a classroom was asking 
for disaster.


Lupinlore