Snape as Perfectionist (WAS Rampant Ingratitude)

[Ravenclaw Bookworm]

No: HPFGUIDX 129426

Gerry:
[Snape] is not interested in having the little childeren reaching 
their full potential. <snip> Now he does have the talent to keep a 
class silent and listening. He does have the talent to let them 
reach high results in their OWLS. 

Bookworm:
Gerry, I think your two comments contradict each other.  I think 
Snape *is* interested in teaching students to appreciate "the
subtle science and exact art of potion-making."  "I don't
expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering 
cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids 
that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the 
senses....I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even 
stopper death – if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads
as I usually have to teach." (PS/SS, Ch 8)  

How poetic that sounds – until the dunderhead crack.  I think the 
problem is that Snape is a perfectionist.  IME, a perfectionist 
constantly finds fault with both himself and others.  

When the students return to classes in OoP, Snape tells them: "I 
take only the best in my N.E.W.T. Potions class ... <snip> ... I 
advise all of you to concentrate your efforts upon maintaining the 
high-pass level I have come to expect from my O.W.L. students." 
(OoP, Ch 12)

This sounds to me like he loves the subject, and gets frustrated 
with the potions-challenged students he has to deal with.  I imagine 
he enjoys teaching the N.E.W.T. Potions class simply because those 
students want to learn more about potions.  (Think of potions as a 
RW chemistry class that is required – how many students really
put forth their best effort instead of just getting by?)  As much as 
I detest his teaching style (I probably would have been like Neville 
with Snape as a teacher), Snape is an *effective* teacher.  His 
students do learn the material.

Ravenclaw Bookworm <wondering if `high-pass level' means a
high percentage of students pass, or if the students pass with high 
scores>