[HPforGrownups] Re: In Defense of Snape (long)

[Shaun Hately]

No: HPFGUIDX 122324

On 18 Jan 2005 at 23:15, pippin_999 wrote:

> Pippin:
> 
> It depends on what you think the goal of the class is. If you think 
> it's to give the kids fond memories of Snape, or fond feelings 
> about potion-making, then Snape is a failure. 
> 
> If the goal is to make sure that nobody, ever, for the rest of their 
> lives,  goes near a cauldron unless they are 150% confident in 
> what they are doing, then Snape is good. Considering that 
> botched potions can kill or permanently incapacitate people, and 
> that the differences are often subtle, I can thoroughly understand 
> Snape's attitude. 

I know one of my Snapish teachers still - in fact, the most Snapish 
of all of them. As an adult I am able to discuss matters with him 
without almost passing out through fear (-8

I asked him fairly recently about the way he taught. I even raised 
the Snape issue with him, and he found it moderately amusing and he 
agreed with the analogy (which had apparently been expressed to him 
by others).

Just after I spoke to him, he sent me an e-mail where he said 
something that I asked for permission to quote where appropriate. 
Here it is:

"I am the best Classics Master in this country. I am an extremely 
effective teacher. What I am not is warm and cuddly. I don't know 
how to be. But I do know how to turn obnoxious adolescent boys into 
people capable of appreciating the combined culture of 25 
centuries. Personally I think that's worth doing. If I can't do it 
without making a few boys cry. Tough. They'll thank me for it as  
adults. Or they'll hate me. Either way, they'll be better for 
it."



Yours Without Wax, Dreadnought
Shaun Hately | www.alphalink.com.au/~drednort/thelab.html
(ISTJ)       | drednort at alphalink.com.au | ICQ: 6898200 
"You know the very powerful and the very stupid have one
thing in common. They don't alter their views to fit the 
facts. They alter the facts to fit the views. Which can be 
uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that 
need altering." The Doctor - Doctor Who: The Face of Evil
Where am I: Frankston, Victoria, Australia


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