Lupin as a teacher/Snape as teacher

[houyhnhnm102]

No: HPFGUIDX 138761

Amontillada:

> I think that driving boggarts out isn't an unusual 
> or difficult spell for the professors, but one can't 
> control where the boggart appears next.) Moving the 
> entire wardrobe would be inconvenient, at best, for 
> the faculty and staff.

houyhnhnm:

Lupin has no trouble controlling the boggart he uses for Harry's
patronus lessons. 
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...Professor Lupin turned up carrying a large packing case, which he
heaved onto Professor Binn's desk.

"What's that?" said Harry

"Another boggart," said Lupin, ripping off his cloak.  "I've been
combing the castle ever since Tuesday, and very luckily, I found this
one lurking inside Mr. Filch's filing cabinet ... I can store him in
my office when we're not using him; there's a cupboard under my desk
he'll like." (PoA, AE pbk., p. 236)
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houyhnhnm:

> >Lupin didn't have to turn Snape into an old woman. 
> >He could have suggested something less humiliating. 
> >The lesson is a set-up from the get-go, IMO.

Amontillada:

> I don't think Lupin had that planned--he didn't know 
> what Neville would find amusing. 

houyhnhnm:

Of course he had it planned.  It's his idea. Dressing Snape up in
Grandmother's clothes comes entirely from Lupin.  
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"...Neville I believe you live with your grandmother?"

"Er--yes," said Neville nervously. "But I don't want the boggart to
turn into her either."

"No, no, you misunderstand me," said Professor Lupin, now smiling.  "I
wonder, could you tells us what sort of clothes your grandmother
usually wears?"

Neville looked startled..... (PoA, AE pbk., p. 135)
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Amontillada:

> In general, I get the impression that JKR may base 
> some elements of Hogwarts culture on 19th and early 
> 20th century school practices, rather than 
> contemporary ones. I've read, for example, that 
> corporal punishment was common at that time. 
> Filch's remarks in OotP give the impression that 
> it was used at Hogwarts until recently (I wouldn't 
> be surprised if it was first banned under Dumbledore's 
> administration).

houyhnhnm:

Agreed.  But I think it's even more evidence that Lupin is acting out
of spite rather than concern for Neville, because Snape's treatment of
students wouldn't be considered all that wrong in the context of the
culture.