Snape and Raistlin Majere

[phoenixgod2000]

No: HPFGUIDX 126492



> Shaun:

Phoenixgod2000: You did an excellent job summarizing the three robes 
of magic and Raistlin's changing. I wasn't sure how much detail 
about a non HP book I could include.. 
  
> 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.

I'm curious, how can you be more sympathetic towards Snape when he 
is, a best a second tier character that we know very little about. 
We get much more from Raistlins POV and can totally understand where 
he is coming from in his own mind. All we have are suppositions when 
it comes to Snape. 
 
> 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). 

I don't know. It never seems to me that Snape actually agrees with 
anyone on the light side. He just joins it so he doesn't get tossed 
in Azkaban. There doesn't seem to be genuine belief in the cause of 
light.  Raistlin doesn't change much, but it is a genuine change.   


> 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).

phoenixgod2000: Raistlin's power makes Voldemort look like a girl 
scout. There is more tenderness in Raistlin than simple love for his 
brother. I've been thinking about it a lot and I think I've 
discovered the reason why I like Raistlin and hate Snape so much. 
Raistlin picks on his equals. He picks on people who can fight back. 
Because of the abuse he suffered as a child he actually has a great 
deal of sympathy for the truly weak. Because until he learned magic, 
he was one of those people.  He actually is very sweet towards 
children and enjoys delighting them with magic--even after he goes 
evi. There is a nobility about Raistlin that Snape never has because 
all out beloved potion master does is pick on the weak and 
defenseless.  

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

I think in the end, Raistlin is just humanized more than Snape, and 
possesses admirable qualities even while dark, which Snape doesn't 
embody.

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

phoenixgod2000: I liked Boromir a lot in the movies but I'm about to 
commit a terrible sin. I hate the LOTR novels. I cannot *stand* 
Tolkien's writing style.
 
> 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.

Can't tell you too much Alla, but I can say this. Raistlin never 
redeems per say. He stays essentially the same but he works to put 
right what he makes wrong. And he makes peace with his brother. 

I can't wait to see what you think about the books!

phoenixgod2000