Snape, Phineas and courage

[Lawrence Carlin]

No: HPFGUIDX 134235

Forgive me if this has been mentioned, but on page 494
(AM. ED.) :

"I thought," said Phineas Nigellus, stroking his
pointed beard, "that to belong in Gryffindor Houseyou
were supposed to be brave? It looks to me as though
you would have been better off in my own house. We
Slytherins are brave, yes, but not stupid. For
instance, given the choice, we will always choose to
save our own necks."

"It's not my own neck I'm saving," said Harry
tersely,...

"Oh I see," said Phinius Nigellus, still striking his
beard. This is no cowardly flight--you are being
noble."

JKR, in her interview with Mugglenet and The Leaky
Cauldron, stated that the sorting hat has never made a
mistake.

Doesn't this, taken together, indicates that Snape,
being a Slytherin, acted to save his own skin. It does
not necessarily indicate ESE Snape, or deny a future
redemptive act by him. And while he may be couragous,
the dominant characteristic of a Slytherin is
self-preservation, so Snape merely acted according to
his nature.

However, on page 521 Am. Ed., Snape does call Sirius a
coward, because Sirius, in Snape's view, is hiding,
avoiding harms way, to save his own skin. But Snape
know Sirius is doing this under orders.

In hurling his retort to Harry, does Snape hope that
Harry will make just this connection?

Just some random thoughts,

Larry  


		
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