[HPforGrownups] Re: In Defense of Snape (Against Snape in JKR's words)

[Charme]

No: HPFGUIDX 122147

<snipped all the parts not related to what I'm about to say - bear with me>
>
> Betsy:
>  If the interviews you cited
> meant what you think they mean, there should be examples in the text
> that further back your theory.  Since you were unable to find
> anything from the books (all five of them) I'll assume you concede
> that Snape is not jealous of Harry?

>>>vmonte:
> Her comments don't just say that Snape is a moody grouch;
> she specifically calls him a "deeply horrible person."
<snip>

> Betsy:
> I'm just saying that if your only canon is off-the-cuff interviews
> rather then examples from the books it's not enough for me.  Plus, I
> feel like I've shown how the interview quotes you used can also back
> up my view of Snape as a nasty, scary, teacher who knows his stuff
> and is a boon to the side of light.

>>>vmonte responds:
>>Your reasoning is the way "we," the readers, see Harry.
> Unfortunately, Snape does not see the "real" Harry, he sees James. He
> is blinded by his prejudice and hatred of James. He cannot let go of
> the past--and it will eventually kill him.  This is not the sign of
> someone who has had a moral epiphany, IMO.

> >Betsy:
>>The canon suggest that Snape *was* a racist. There is nothing in his
>>current actions to suggest that he is a racist now.


Charme:

I wouldn't concede it if I were vmonte, Betsy.  I think it's a stalemate of 
sorts: there's no canon in all 5 books which specifically states "Snape is 
jealous of Harry" or "Snape is not jealous of Harry." That's all to the 
reader's interpretation, IMO. Thus, to each his own. The same applies with 
whether Snape is or isn't still a racist - we don't know because alas, we 
don't have canon which specifically states "Snape The Racist Without The DE" 
or "Snape, The Master of Light & Love." (Just typing that made me laugh ;))

DD trusts Snape (and yes that's canon) however wouldn't you know, DD has 
already been mistaken about Snape being able to overcome his feelings about 
James:

`I trust Severus Snape,' said Dumbledore simply 'But I forgot - another old 
man's mistake - that some wounds run too deep for the healing. I thought 
Professor Snape could overcome his feelings about your father - I was 
wrong.'

DD could be wrong about other Snape idioms too. Not intentionally, of 
course, but it could happen again.

As far as the canon/interview thing,  I think that JKR's interviews, quotes, 
chats, and even her website cite additional information which you wouldn't 
find in canon, either but they fit with the plots she's developed to this 
point. Therefore, I think I have faith in them and have added them to my HP 
bag of tricks :)

Charme, who is taking a page from Carol's book to add here that the "Snape, 
The Master of Light & Love" moniker above gave her an insane case of the 
giggles when she typed it :)