Harry's View of Snape Matters Re: Canon for the Snape being abusive

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 144265

Quick_silver71  wrote: 
<SNIP>

But another part of me thinks that 
> Snape should be punished for his actions in the classroom because 
> they are indicative of a larger problem (I'm going to expand on 
this 
> side since the other opinion has been argued by other people).
> <SNIP>
> Snape behavior in the classroom is a larger sign of his inability 
to 
> control his emotions, his old grudges with student's parents, his 
> slightly nasty side, etc. And I do think Snape may have to pay or 
> pay more (since his killing of Dumbledore isn't really related to 
> this issue
a suitable form of punishment is his exile and current 
> hatred by most wizards) because that does seem to be one of his 
> major flaws. Sirius certainly paid for his flaws (although I think 
> people exaggerate the role Sirius's flaws played in his death), 
> Lockhart seemed to be thrown on his sword, Lupin's flaws seem to 
> have caused him certain problem (with more yet to come), and that 
> doesn't even touch on Harry's (and James's) many flaws. 

Lupinlore:
Yes, I think this is an extremely important point.  I think most of 
us who argue that it is essential for Snape to be punished for his 
classroom abuse are, in effect and often explicitly, pointing out 
that this is an important part of his entire character 
presentation.  Fate is often woven by character in RL, and that is 
certainly the case in fiction and, as you point out, most certainly 
the case in the Potterverse.  It is true that Snape has done a lot 
that seems to insure a great deal of retribution.  However, such 
retribution cannot be confined to narrow categories.  That is, we 
can't say "Well, he'll certainly be punished for Dumbledore's death 
but his behavior toward Harry and Neville doesn't fit an appropriate 
category/definition for punishment."  Nonsense!  

When most of us are talking about Snape being punished, we are going 
much beyond the Dumbledore situation and speaking in terms of the 
dreaded karmic/poetic retribution.  That means that Snape is not so 
much punished for a certain act or even set of acts, but that Snape 
is punished for... well, being Snape.  Harsh, perhaps, but that's 
karma for you.  What goes around comes around.  Lockheart was 
punished for being Lockheart, Lupin's troubles arise from being 
Lupin, and Dumbledore's - I suspect we will find, judging by JKR's 
comments - from being Dumbledore.  I think Umbridge will be punished 
for being Umbridge.  

Now, a person's actions are part and parcel of who they are, in that 
action arises from character and character is shaped by action.  
Therefore Lockheart's specific actions in obliviating his victims 
figure largely and obviously in determination of his punishment, and 
Dumbledore's specific decisions largely shape his troubles.  I think 
Umbridge's specific actions will be clear and important in her 
eventual fate.  And as it is impossible to separate Snape's 
treatment of Harry and Neville from the final place he will occupy 
on the karmic wheel, then it will, I think, be ultimately very 
obvious that Snape's abuse of Harry and Neville is related to his 
final situation.


Lupinlore