SV: [HPforGrownups] Re: More Snape Defense, regarding Snape's childhood. (Long)

[M.Clifford]

No: HPFGUIDX 122983


> Trekkie:
> I think his rejection of Lily's help was the general defense 
pattern popping up. The "don't let anyone get close enough - 
emotionally - to hurt you later. And given his upbringing, he DID 
have (and possibly has still) prejudices agaist mudbloods.
> And it's not like perfectly nice and ordinary people here aren't 
racists too. Lots of people know when to BEHAVE Politically Correct, 
but it is often only skin deep.
> 
> I don't think Snape is afraid of humility. I am not sure he 
understands that concept. He knows humiliation and may confuse those 
two terms. And he DOES See a chance to get even. Yes he 
behaves "childish" in his wish for revenge over Sirius, I have never 
claimed him to be perfect :o) But he DID come to realize that his DE 
choice was wrong - perhaps making that realization was his first 
truly FREE choice. 
> 


Valky:
You know, after all, in a way we are kind of in agreement on this. 
I am pretty sure that Snape confuses humility with the things he is 
afraid of, going deeper into the repercussions of that explains a 
lot of his behaviour. Though it can't excuse it, for my mind, and in 
the end it's only to his own detriment. 

Its true that good behaviour does not the saint make, but Snape 
finds himself also unable to place value on Dumdbledore's kindness 
now, not just Lily's then. And in contrast he seems to have a 
sincere sentiment for Lucius Malfoy and Argus Filch, two of the 
unkindest and more sadistic people in the wizard world. 
Yes, Snape has high regard for Dumbledores respect and superiority, 
but he reserves a limited contempt for his soft-heartedness. 
Snape is definitely, to me anyway, still in a pattern of rejecting 
kindness rather than keeping distance. 
Why does he have hearty fellowship with these *superficially well 
behaved* people who he knows would as soon stab you from behind as 
look at you, if he's afraid of being hurt? What *does* he believe 
in, and is he as confused as he looks, or is he as superficial as we 
don't want him to be?