for whom are the books named?, Re: Possible message in Evil!Snape

[anthyroserain]

No: HPFGUIDX 134387

Ljd wrote:
> I believe the plot device is intended to demonstrate Harry's
> leadership and superior powers of perceptions to the older, more
> intelligent and experienced people around him.  Proven right about
> Snape, his direction should be trusted and followed by everyone
> (including himself).  I believe JKR's moral is something along the
> lines of being true to yourself and trusting your instincts.
> Perhaps a story of self empowerment?  This is not appealing to me 
> but I believe that's where she'll wind up.
> 
> So, folks, if it looks evil and acts evil then it must be evil! 
> Nothing more to see here.  Move along!

anthyroserain:

(I know that you don't like this idea either, so bear in mind, I'm 
arguing rhetorically here.) The problem I've always have with this 
idea is not that it supports trusting yourself, but that it supports 
trusting your first impressions of people, and trusting that they 
are always what they appear to be. This seems a very childish (not 
in a good way) and simplistic moral, and one with very dangerous 
ramifications. 

Perhaps, to paraphrase Dumbledore, old age does underestimate youth, 
but at the same time, there is a reason old people are usually 
wiser: they have the benefit of experience. And experience tells you 
that you cannot easily judge someone's motives.

And JKR has thankfully not gone the easy route morally: Dumbledore 
tells Harry that he was fated to become the Chosen One not because 
he's "special", but because of the circumstances, and of course, he 
says that our decisions are what truly define us. Dumbledore was 
wise enough to go against appearances and trust Snape, and he was 
wise enough to forgive.

Del wrote:
> But DD is the wise mentor of the hero, and usually the mentor is
> right, *especially* when everything seems to point to the fact 
> that he is wrong. That's one of the major points of the mentor: to 
> teach the hero to look beyond appearances. And Harry so far has 
> almost NEVER looked beyond the appearance of Snape. 

To add to what Del is saying: Harry may be the hero and have his 
name in the title, but a smart coming-of-age story doesn't suggest 
that the hero never learned anything through all the books. 
Dumbledore is fallible and sometimes wrong, but this was the 
greatest lesson he ever taught, one that Harry would be foolish to 
reject, and one I think (or hope) JKR will back up in the end.

-anthyroserain
who thinks Snape's momma loved him