Snape can't stand being called a coward--or not

[houyhnhnm102]

No: HPFGUIDX 135817

Julie:

"Kill me then," panted Harry, who felt no fear at all, but only rage
and contempt. "Kill me like you killed him [James], you coward--"

"DON'T--" screamed Snape, and his face was suddenly demented,
inhuman, as though he was in as much pain as the yelping, howling
dog stuck in the house behind them-- "CALL ME COWARD!"

houyhnhnm says:

The significance of Harry's saying "like you killed *him*" didn't
strike me until I read your post.  It is so obvious from context that
Harry means "like you killed my father".  I too was wondering why
Snape didn't react the first time Harry called him a coward, but went
ballistic (I *do* think he attacked Harry) the second time.  It is
very plausible to me that Snape heard "like you killed
him--Dumbledore".  I think there is also some kind of significance to
the wording--"Don't call me coward", not "Don't call me *a* coward".

vmonte:

"The Authoritarian Personality wants to fit into a chain of command
and to be told what to do (submissive to a superior), and by the same
token, will countenance no flak when giving orders to those in the
hierarchy below. At the same time s/he is aggressive towards others,
especially those considered to be lesser in some way (e.g. of a
different faith or ethnicity, or a different species).

houyhnhnm says:

I agree that Snape has all the hallmarks of an authoritarian
personality.  It is what led him to become a Death Eater in the first
place, no doubt. I don't think that precludes the possibility that he
has transferred his allegiance to Dumbledore for some reason we do not
yet know.  I also don't think the analysis should be carried too far.
 These are wizards, after all, not Muggles.  Their world is pretty
authoritarian to begin with.  Even Dumbledore, the "bleeding heart
liberal" of the wizarding world demands absolute obedience.