Snape's abuse (Re: Would an "O" for Harry vindicate Snape?)

[Chris]

No: HPFGUIDX 131655

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "delwynmarch" 
<delwynmarch at y...> wrote:
> Lupinlore wrote:
> "The Wizarding World as we have been shown is a corrupt, backward, 
and
> deeply abusive society.  The fact that Snape, or anyone else for 
that
> matter, is tolerated by the WW standards is no defense WHATSOEVER."
> 
> Del replies:
> Oh yes it is!!!

  OH NO IT IS NOT!!!
> 
> Circumstances and the local law are paramount in determining the
> gravity of an act.

  Circumstances and the local law are NOT paramount when it comes to 
the actions perpetrated by someone on another individual. The 
standards of the individual being attacked is what matters in 
instances like these. WW authorities, Snape, DD, and whatever adult 
you can name in this book may find it ok that Snape uses these 
methods with the children he is teaching. However, if the children 
THEMSELVES OR THEIR PARENTS feel like it is a problem, then it is a 
problem no matter what the law states.

<SNIP> 
> And THAT is all that matters. The law and the morality where HE 
lives
> are not against what he is doing, and that is a more-than-sufficient
> defense for his actions.

  That is NOT all that matters! Who dictates morality standards to a 
society? It is not the authorities in charge, that is for sure! My 
president has a different state of morality altogether different than 
that of my own. Morality is something that each individual defines on 
his or her own. It is not set in law, it is not established by a 
governing society, and it is certainly not taught by a teacher in 
school. 
  If the kids in this story feel like they are being mistreated, then 
they are being mistreated, regardless of what WW law states or 
allows. It is up to the individual to decide what violates his or her 
own morality, not a governing official. You live in France right? Do 
you have children? Would you like for them to be mistreated in this 
way at their school? What if Jacques Chirac decided one day to make 
it law that kids could be beaten within an inch of their life for 
underperforming in school? Would that be ok with you? According to 
you it would be since law and morality are dictated by the people in 
charge. I think you would find that there would be a problem with 
this. Or does your individual morality say different?

> Trying to prosecute Snape for something that is considered neither
> illegal nor immoral in his world is pointless. 

  Who said anything about prosecution? All I would want is that he 
(a) change his teaching methods and the way he personally deals with 
these children or (b) his termination. Personally, since I think he 
knows his stuff, he should simply change his methods, quit the 
personal attacks, and teach these kids what he knows in a 
constructive manner.
  Also, there is a little thing called respect. As a teacher, he 
deserves respect, but only if it is EARNED! So far in these books, I 
have seen him do very little to earn any one of these students' 
respect. He holds a grudge against a child for something his father 
did in the past, he criticizes a child who may or may not have a 
learning disability, and he conducts punishment in an unfair manner. 
Basically, he is a bully, and thinks he can intimidate someone 
smaller and less powerful than him. I, for one, hope that in the last 
two books, somehow, someway, Snape learns his lesson. They're going 
to need him in this war.

Chris
labmystc