Snape and Raistlin Majere

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 126485


Shaun:
 
OK - I have read both Harry Potter (obviously) and the Dragonlance 
Chronicles and Legends - though the last time I read Dragonlance 
was probably five years ago or so now. I've also read a smattering 
of the other Dragonlance books over the years.
 
Having said that, I would say I am more sympathetic to the 
character of Snape, in general, but I can see some reason to be 
sympathetic to Raistlin's that *may or may not* apply to Snape. We 
know more about Raistlin's uprbringing in  my view than we do about 
Snapes - we have snippets about Snapes.

The major reason I regard Snape more positively than Raistlin is 
because Snape strikes me as a man who has *genuinely* swung between 
evil and good. He was evil (when he was a Deatheater). He is now 
good (as a member of the Order). That is, of course, open to debate 
- but it's the way I see it. Of course, if he's deceived everyone, 
 I'd have to reasess.
 <SNIP>
With Raistlin, it's different.
But there are still a few other factors to be considered.
 
Raistlin has a twin brother - Caramon. Caramon is almost the 
opposite of Raistlin in many ways - Raistlin is the weak scholarly 
wizard, Caramon the immensely strong, physical, warrior.
 
Caramon loves Raistlin. Loves him incredibly. It's more or less 
unconditional love.
 
And though Raistlin tries to reject it - as he rejects everything 
that doesn't lead to power - he never really *quite* succeeds. 
Caramon helps him hold onto a shred of humanity in my view, so he 
never quite falls as far as Voldemort (though he does become 
immensely more powerful and successful).

<SNIP>
... perhaps that greater insight makes Raistlin 
> more sympathetic in some ways. We get to see much more of what 
> makes him tick.



Alla:

Oh, you can be on to something Shaun. I have a feeling that I will 
enjoy Raistlin character greatly. Not just the fact that as you say 
we know more about his upbringing, but the fact that there is a 
person who loves Raistlin and from what you said I understand that 
Raistlin loves his brother too, no matter how hard he tries to 
reject it. Am I right?

It is VERY important to me that no matter how dark the character is, 
he is still able to experience positive feelings ( love, friendship, 
just caring for somebody).

I don't see Snape showing us ANY positive feelings whatsoever, NONE. 
I mean he is loyal to the Light, OK, but I want to see him care at 
least a little bit for the person, not just to be faithful to the 
idea( not even in a romantic sense - for family member, for a 
friend, ANYBODY) I mean many speculated that he lost loved ones to 
the Darkness, but that is just speculation so far. I am not even 
sure that Snape cares for Dumbledore, though I do want to believe in 
it.

I want to see it, than I definitely will be able to care for Snape 
more, I am sure of it.

Going back to Boromir - he loves his brother and his father  and 
when push comes to shove , he does feel friendship towards Hobbits.


I also have a question about Raislin ( I AM getting a book, but I 
love spoilers :)). You said he chose evil, but does he definitely 
goes back to the Light at the end, or does he remain neutral? 
Because if he goes back to Light, I don't see much difference 
between him and Snape, because Snape also chosen evil at one point 
of his life.

JMO,

Alla, who cannot wait to buy Dragonlance chronicles now.