JKR's view of Teacher Snape (was: PRe: Cultural standards...)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 144865

> >>Shaun Hately:
> I agree entirely that JKR regards Severus Snape as a bad teacher, 
> and that that is the way she is trying to write him - by giving   
> him characteristics that she regards as indicative of a bad       
> teacher, possibly based on her own experiences, possibly based on 
> more than that.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp
Hmmm.  I'm not sure I agree with this.  I think JKR sees bad 
*aspects* to Snape's teaching, specifically his favoritism and the 
incredibly cruel wit he allows to escape now and again, but overall, 
I think JKR does show Snape to be a good teacher.  

She compares him to McGonagall at one point, when Harry notes that 
Snape, like McGonagall, had no problem getting a class under 
control.  She shows him having a rather large NEWT level Potions 
class, while at the same time making sure the readers know that 
Snape is very demanding about who he'll take into his NEWT level 
courses.  Hermione *never* complains about Snape's teaching 
abilities, and she's a pretty reliable barameter when it comes to 
Hogwarts' teachers.

To top it all off, JKR gives Snape the best opening lines for a 
class of any teacher in the books.  Only fake!Moody comes close.  I 
think JKR does think Snape is a good teacher.  Not a perfect one, 
mind you.  But a good one.

Betsy Hp (who tried to take a break from Snape, she really did)