Snape and Raistlin Majere

[rdoliver30]

No: HPFGUIDX 126510



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "phoenixgod2000" <jmrazo at h...> 
wrote:
> 
> This post contains some spoilers for the dragonlance series.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
<SNIP> 
> Here is where my cognative dissonace comes in.  I *loathe* Snape. 
> there is nothing to like or love about the man and very little to 
> even respect about him. I don't want him to ever be shown as right 
> and I hope he's secretly evil just so someone can kick his behind. 
> But Raistlin, a character so similar to Snape it's astounding, is 
> one of my favorite literary characters of all time. Throughout the 
> entire series of the novels I rooted for Raist. Even when he was at 
> his worst, there was a part of me that desperately wanted him to 
> redeem and patch up his relationships with his former friends. I 
> found him entertaining, compelling, and sympathetic even when he 
was 
> at his darkest.
> 
> Why?
> 
> What makes Snape so contempable to me and many other people, while 
> similar literary characters can be just as dark and bitter and yet 
> still remain sympathetic and understandable--even in their own way 
> likeable. I do realize that Snape has his fans but he also has many 
> detractors.  For those of you who've read both series or another 
> series with a Snape like character, what seperates Snape from them 
> to make him either more or less likeable and sympathetic?
> 


Very interesting Phoenixgod.  I HAVE read Dragonlance, and I see 
where you are drawing your comparison between the characters.  Let me 
suggest how some differences may account for your different reactions.

1) Raistlin's sarcasm is equal-opportunity.  He pretty much gives it 
to all sides without reserve.  The only slight exception is Caramon, 
which is understandable as he is Raistlin's twin brother.  Snape, on 
the other hand, is NOT equal-opportunity in his sarcasm.  It is very 
much directed toward some characters more than others.

2) Raistlin rarely, if ever, is shown interacting with children, 
whereas that accounts for most of Snape's interactions.

3) Raistlin is shown from the very beginning as a being firmly 
anchored in human relationships with his brother and others of his 
former adventuring party.  Snape is a radically disconnnected 
character, who seems actually to shun human relationships.

4)  Finally, Raistlin is physically ill most of the time, unlike 
Snape.  The automatic sympathy his wrenching sickness inspires helps 
to counteract his sarcasm.  Snape has no such advantage.


Just a few thoughts off the top of my head.


Lupinlore