Snape's punishment a "moral" issue? Was "Two Scenes..."

[leslie41]

No: HPFGUIDX 144067

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "lupinlore" <bob.oliver at c...> 
wrote:
> I have no objection at all to personal growth from Snape, but the 
> needs of poetic justice MUST be met, if JKR can be said to have 
> dealt with the incredibly important moral issue of child abuse and 
> Snape's reprehensible behavior, not to mention Dumbledore's 
> reprehensible policies in allowing it. 

Er, no.  The needs of poetic justice need not be met at all, and 
often are not, in literature.  Part of the reason these books are so 
popular is that Rowling knows, as kids do, that sometimes people 
aren't dealt out "poetic justice." To me the biggest cheat would be 
everyone neatly getting everything they supposedly deserve.  I can 
suspend my disbelief about magic.  About human nature and the often 
chaotic nature of the world, no.

Cedric Diggory wasn't dealt out poetic justice.  There was no 
justice at all there.  No justice in a 6-year-old boy being bitter 
by a werewolf either.  Crappy things like that happen all the time 
and kids know it.

To my mind the immorality would be to gloss over that and make 
everything "seem" to fit.  That works on the Teletubbies, not in 
Rowling's world.  

> I really can't see any scenario in which growth on Snape's part 
> would be believable.  

And?  So what?  He's a deeply flawed person, has had a terrible 
life, and for the past few years he's been under an enormous amount 
of stress, his life constantly in danger. 

If Snape is on the side of good, it is the attitude of others that 
will change towards him.  It is Harry who will make the first move, 
at least to recognize that he and Snape were always on the same 
side, and that Snape has done more good in his own way than Harry 
ever had.  

This doesn't mean Harry will approve or appreciate his teaching 
methods.  It simply means that Harry will attempt to understand him 
beyond viewing him as a "greasy git."  

Could Snape manage the reverse?  I don't know.  Probably not. He's 
wounded beyond healing, and cannot get beyond those wounds. 
Dumbledore realizes that. Harry is the more evolved person 
emotionally.  Harry is capable of it. 

> But, if you have any scenarios you think COULD accomplish internal 
> growth and voluntary apology from Snape WITHOUT such a large 
> wrench to the plot, or without using hand-waving and magic 
> bullets, I, for one, would love to hear them!

Sometimes, in my experience, the only way to thaw another human 
being is by complete and utter sympathy and understanding, whether 
or not they deserve it. 

Snape has a close relationship with DD, and I think as may in the 
future be revealed, a loving one.  I think DD loves him.  I think 
Snape loves DD.  And loathes him.  The way that children both love 
and loathe their parents.  DD has the power to truly control him, 
which I've no doubt deeply upsets Snape.  

Snape does not deserve gentle treatment from Harry.  Nevertheless, I 
think it is kindness and understanding and respect from Harry (not 
pity, never pity) that would allow Snape to evolve. 

Snape was notoriously abused by Sirius and James.  Harry should 
admit to himself and to Snape that his father and Sirius were far 
from perfect, and that they hurt him.  He cannot apologize for that 
fact, but he can at least recognize it.  Much of Snape's resentment 
of Harry, I think, springs not from the fact that Harry is a 
reminder of his past, but that Harry idolizes his father and Sirius, 
and makes excuses for their behavior. 

Some series of scenes, post Voldemort's defeat, where Harry 
recognizes Snape's contributions, and that Sirius and James were not 
perfect and hurt and almost killed Snape, might open a door.

Is this a lot to ask?  Sure.  But as I said, Harry is a far more 
evolved person than Snape is.  Snape is ossified emotionally, and 
deeply bitter, and cannot come to this understanding without being 
led to it by someone willing to be incredibly generous with him.

Again, does Snape necessarily "deserve" this?  No.  By no means.  
Absolutely not.

But again, people don't always get what they deserve.