Young men/bad decisions - Back to Mommy

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 126527


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "dumbledore11214"
<dumbledore11214 at y...> wrote:
> 
>  
> Potioncat:
> <SNIP>
> Regulus seems to have some respect from fandom because he died 
> trying to leave the DEs.  So why is Snape seen differently? 
>  
>  
> SSSusan:
> Interesting observation about the timing of two DEs' defections.  
> And a fair enough question about why many fans see Snape differently 
> than they see Regulus.  
> 

> 
> Alla:
> 
> I am a little bit puzzled. I don't think I ever assigned Regulus 
> deflection more respect than I assigned to Snape, but come to think 
> of it, I would argue the opposite to your argument, Susan.
> 
> I think the difference between the two is that... We know that 
> Regulus did not have a stomach for whatever particular athrocity 
> Voldie and Co wanted him to commit and he tried to quit. Yes, I 
> respect him for that.
> 
> As to Snape, we know that he told Dumbledore his story and he 
> believed it, that is it. I just want to be 100% sure that Snape 
> deflected for real and for good reasons. I believe it for the most 
> part, but sometimes, I experience tinge of doubt and I don't like it.
> 
> When I have no doubt, I respect both men's deflection equally.
> 
>...edited...
>
> Just my opinion,
> 
> Alla

bboyminn:

In a nutshell here is the difference between these two men. Regulus
quit the dark side, Snape joined the good side; big difference.

While Regulus did quit the dark side, we have no sign that he redeemed
 or reformed in any way; no sign that he changed his /Black/
attitudes. He simply got in over his head, and didn't have the stomach
for what he was being asked to do for the /cause/.

Snape on the other hand, as far as we have been lead to believe, has
completely renounced his dark side, and is actively fighting for and
with the good side. 

Because of his functions as a Spy, he still has to retain the image
that he supports the pureblood ideals, and that he is not completely
adverse to a little dark magic now and then. That's not that hard to
do while Voldemort was gone. Basically, it's just a lot of tough talk
while Snape and the gang are guaffing ales and complaining about how
the Purebloods are so /put upon/ by the world at large. A fairly easy
task.

Now that Voldemort is back, things are much more difficult and
dangerous for Snape. He may indeed be asked to do things that his new
outlook on life won't allow him to do. Fortunately, Snape gets to
spend most of his time away from Voldemort, and his position at the
school means he is not available for the routine raids and missions
that the rank and file Death Eaters must carry out; convenient.

So, I see a big difference between Snape and Regulus. Snape made a
very big change in alleginace and philosophy, whereas Regulus just
wanted to go back home to his mommy.

Just a thought.

Bboyminn/Steve