Teaching Styles and Motivation

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 130407

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "horridporrid03"
<horridporrid03 at y...> wrote:
> >>Betsy Hp:
> <SNIP>
> 
> Betsy Hp:
> Which just goes to show JKR knows how to make things 
> interesting. :)  Seriously, I'm of mixed minds as to how I'd like to 
> see Occlumency handled in the next book (assuming it *will* be 
> handled).  On the one hand, it'd be nice to see another teacher 
> tackle the subject (Dumbledore and possibly Lupin seem the only 
> options at the moment), just to see what they do differently from 
> Snape.  On the other hand, it'd be interesting to see how a 
> motivated Harry (which I assume he will be) reacts to Snape's 
> current methods.
>

Well, I think if anyone else besides Snape COULD have done it,
including Lupin, Dumbledore would have had them do it in OOTP,
although it would have been very dangerous to bring Lupin to Hogwarts
under Umbridge's nose.  So that pretty well leaves Dumbledore and
Snape, or else a new character.

As for the Snape possibility, I certainly hope Dumbledore isn't THAT
stupid.  That would definitely match up with the definition of
insanity being doing the same thing over again expecting a different
result.

With regard to Harry being motivated, I doubt seriously that he'll be
motivated to work with Snape in any capacity, even if Snape were to
suddenly act like Lupin.  JKR went to great lengths to set up that
"I'll never forgive him" scene, and she put it at the end of the book,
which is some of the most valuable real estate.  You don't do things
like that only to have the hero discover over the summer that "Well, I
was projecting for my own guilt and I really need to cooperate with
Snape for the greater good."  Naah, nope, nyet, thank you for playing.
 In fact, considering the depth of hatred Harry felt for Snape at the
end of OOTP, I wouldn't even be very surprised if he refused to take
advanced potions after getting in some way or other.  He wouldn't even
need to worry very much about his goal of being an auror.  As several
fanfic writers have pointed out, if Voldemort wins Harry won't have to
worry about it anyway.  If Harry wins, the Auror office wouldn't dare
refuse the person who just defeated the worst dark wizard in history.

This would be, of course, immature and selfish by one way of thinking
(a way of thinking I don't share, but I acknowledge it exists). 
However, it would fit perfectly with Harry's age (i.e. it's the type
of thing I could readily see a teenage boy doing) and his feelings at
the end of OOTP.  

In fact, I'm not at all sure that Harry really IS very motivated to
"buckle down" and "go after Voldemort" as many have suggested.  He
certainly hates Voldemort, but he is still reeling from the news of
the prophecy and has to digest its contents.  Sullen stubborness and
rebellion would be very typical behavior for a teenager in such a
situation.  And it's all very well to say things like "Harry hasn't
got time for that, there's a war starting," but practicality has
essentially no standing in the court of emotional affairs.  I have no
doubt he will face Voldemort in the end, if only to save his friends,
but at the moment he is far from an enthusiastic crusader, and it may
be a very rocky road.


Lupinlore