[HPforGrownups] Re: James, a paragon of virtue? Snape, a paragon of virtue?

[Magda Grantwich]

No: HPFGUIDX 124253

> I'm not trying to argue that young Snape was pure innocence (JKR 
> carefully includes information to negate that view), nor am I
> saying 
> that James and Sirius are absolute evil (future behavior negates 
> that).  What I was pointing out was that JKR gives James and Sirius
> *no* proper excuse for attacking Snape at that time.  She didn't do
> this lightly.  There is an overall purpose for that scene and the 
> realization that some of Snape's accusations against James are true
> (e.g. James most definitely strutted).  Part of it, I'm sure, is
> the 
> usual coming of age realization that parents are not perfect.  But
> I 
> also think there is something for us to learn about Snape, and 
> possibly about judging someone based soley on house affiliation and
> family background.
> 
> Betsy


I think this scene is at risk of being over-analyzed, of not seeing
the forest for the leaves, let alone the trees.

I believe that one of the things we're supposed to learn from this
scene is that Snape has been telling the truth about James - from his
own perspective.  And its just as valid a perspective as Remus' and
Sirius': this is how we knew the guy, this is what he was like - to
us.  

The other thing we're meant to realize is that Snape still views
himself the way James Potter and Sirius Black viewed him all those
years ago, and the way he assumes Harry views him now.  

Snape has learned to attack and wound first, because otherwise you
are vulnerable and might not get a chance to pull your wand out. 
That's why, I'm sure, he called Lily "that word" - to attack James
and get him to lose his temper and therefore be vulnerable.  

And I'm sure that was a major propellent for him to join the DE's:
the chance to gain new powers and develop forms of magic that weaker,
no-doubt-muggle-fearing wizards were too afraid to use.  The
so-called Dark Arts: really Dark, Voldemort might ask, or just too
strong for feeble-minded people afraid of power to learn?  

Book!Geek Snape would go for that.  

Then like Regulus he found out what the whole deal was and unlike
Regulus was smart enough - and daring enough - to get out alive.

Magda


		
__________________________________ 
Do you Yahoo!? 
Meet the all-new My Yahoo! - Try it today! 
http://my.yahoo.com