Snape's motives (was Re: Why did Snape react so angrily)

[catjaneway]

No: HPFGUIDX 133910

Denis:
<SNIP>
> Incidently, I think Harry bears some of the responsibility for 
Snape's
> turning....
<SNIP> 

> What reason has Harry given Snape to continue suffering indignity
> after indignity by working for the good side? What's in it for 
Snape?
> 
> Nothing.
> 
> Whereas by killing DD, Snape earns the eternal gratitude of Voldy 
and
> the Malfoy family and Snape gets off on respect. All he has to do 
is
> sacrifice the one person on the good side who always stood by 
him....
> 
> Nobody is going to feel good about that - but I suspect Snape will
> rationalize it away, somehow.
> 
> DG

Janeway:
This is a really nice analysis of Snape's motives in turning, and of 
Harry's contribution to those motives. I've had the same thought, 
that whatever experiences and emotions Snape may have had in his 
life that drew him to the "good" side, they were overwhelmed by his 
hatred for James, refreshed and strengthened by his growing hatred 
for Harry. 

I think that Snape's failure to understand Harry's true power is  
evidence of both his LV-like reasoning, and of his faulty assessment 
of where his best interests lie. In Spinners End he says "...It 
became apparent to me very quickly that [Harry] had no extraordinary 
talent at all... He is mediocre to the last degree..." (p 31). And 
while he could be lying to Bella here, he says the same thing to 
Harry in OOP:  "...Potter...you are neither special nor 
important..." (p 591) "You are lazy and sloppy, Potter..." (p 593) 
etc. 

By contrast, DD tells Harry that he is remarkable for being able to 
love after everything that has happened to him, and that "You are 
still too young to understand how unusual you are, Harry" (p 509). 
So Snape has had direct access to to Harry, as well as to DD's 
thinking on Harry's power, and he still doesn't get it... Just like 
LV, Harry has a power that Snape "knows not."

I think this contributes to Snape's decision to take the vow to kill 
DD if necessary at Spinner's End. I think the text shows that he has 
come to believe that the "Good" side is too weak and can't defeat 
the "Dark" side. First he says that Harry has no special powers, 
then he says that "Dumbledore has been a great wizard... however... 
Dumbledore is growing old... his reactions are slower than they once 
were." (p 31). Last, he contemplates how "If Draco succeeds... he 
will be honored above all others." (p 33) I think Draco is right 
when he says Snape wants to steal his glory -- Snape wants it to be 
him who is honored above all others. So, when Narcissa asks for the 
UV, he agrees. DD can no longer protect him, the "Chosen One" has no 
chance against LV, and Snape can finally receive his props if he 
takes this moment to turn traitor.

Of course, those believing in Good!Snape will see all of this as 
lies told for Bella's benefit, but given Snape's later actions, I 
think it provides the most credible character arc. 

It will be fun to see which way JKR takes this!

Janeway