In Defense of Snape (long)

[ms_luna_knows]

No: HPFGUIDX 122319


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "dumbledore11214" <dumbledore11214 at y...> 
wrote:
> 
> Betsy:
> I think, based on Neville's smile and Harry's confidence, that both 
> boys ended up doing well on their Potion's exam in OotP.  In which 
> case, Snape is a good teacher.  However, if they both blew their 
> exams (especially Harry - Neville really did seem hopeless in class - 
> how many cauldrons did he end up destroying?) then I'll have to 
> reexamine my view on the matter.
> 
> 
> Alla:
> 
> If they performed well, they performed well, because Snape was absent 
> in OWL class.
> "With Snape absent from the proceedings he found that he was much
> more relaxed than he usually was while making potions. Neville, who
> was sitting very near Harry, also looked happier than Harry had ever
> seen him during a Potions class" - OOP, p.716.
> 
> How does it make Snape a good teacher, if his only presense 
> terrorises the studentts so much that they are unable to reach their 
> potential?
> 
> By the way, I am pretty sure that Harry performed well at least on 
> written OWL, because he knew Polyjuice effects well, but Snape did 
> not teach him that.
> 
> JMO,
> 
> Alla

Ms. Luna,
I agree with Alla on this point.  I don't agree that Snape is a good teacher.  My definition of 
what qualifies as a good teacher is NOT one who belittles and bullies certain children in 
his class to make a point to the class as a whole.  His methods,  including fear, do however 
make the kids pay attention in class.