Snape and Saruman was JKR Preaching?

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 144452

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "lupinlore" <bob.oliver
> 
> Of course, it is possible to wed the scenario that you lay out, to an 
> extent, with the position that Alla and I are espousing.  This is, in 
> effect, what Tolkien did with Saruman and Frodo.  That is when Frodo 
> forgave Saruman and spared his life, Saruman did not experience it as 
> a release from punishment.  Far from it, his line "You have grown 
> wise, hobbit.  Yes, wise and cruel," reveals that Frodo forgiving him 
> was one of the most damning and hurtful things Frodo could possibly 
> have done, for it meant that Saruman who had once been an angelic 
> being was now reduced to accepting forgiveness from a furry-footed 
> halfling, and that this would be an agony to him from then on out 
> (which was about ninety seconds, until Wormtongue slit his throat).

Pippin:
Interesting idea, comparing Saruman and Snape. Of course to make
the comparison hold water, you would have to imagine that Saruman
had accepted Gandalf's initial offer of clemency and turned spy against
Sauron (yikes!), but was still struggling with the weaknesses that had
led to his betrayal, ie a consuming interest in the Dark Arts and
a jealousy of all those whom he perceived as rivals in power, not to
mention the suspicions of those on the light side who doubted that 
he was capable of reform, and of Sauron  who is never above
fear.

And then to discover that the hopes of the West were vested in a 
witless Halfling! Of course Saruman's previous dealings with
Halflings like Frodo's dear cousin Lotho would not dispose him 
to think of  Bagginses as potential heroes. 

Frodo's early adventures such as getting lost in the Barrow downs,
allowing the Ring to reveal itself in Bree and donning the Ring in the
presence of the Nazgul on Weathertop, would not help. You could
say that Frodo had fought his way out of some tight corners
with the help of sheer luck and more talented friends, and you would
be right.

Might Saruman not think that Gandalf's plan was pure folly, and be
tempted to draw on his resources of cunning and cruelty in order to 
show Gandalf that Frodo was an unworthy Hobbit, and Gandalf's 
confidence in him was misplaced?

And if such trials helped to assure Sauron that Saruman had not
really withdrawn his allegiance, so much the better.


Pippin