What is poetic justice? WAS: Re: Snape-the Hero -- Snape-the Abuser

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 143320

> >>Betsy HP:
> > <snip>
> > It's a question of power.  Watching someone powerful stick it to 
> > someone weaker is not a great example of poetic justice, IMO.  

> >>a_svirn:
> Much that I share you dislike of big and powerful bullying small   
> and weak, I don't see why it couldn't qualify as "poetic justice" 
> on occasion. Poetic justice means quite simply that the punishment 
> fits the crime.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
You're right.  I actually edited my statement from "is never a good 
example" for that reason.  And it *is* possible to have the powerful 
attack the weak as an example of poetic justice, but there has to be 
great care taken, IMO, that the punishment *does* fit the crime.  
With JKR, unfortuntely, the punishment often seems *way* over the 
top.  Montague was trying to take some house points -- so he 
suddenly deserves to float in limbo for several days?  A limbo he's 
barely able to escape that leaves him in the hospital ward?  Somehow 
that's supposed to fit the "crime" of trying to take house points?  
I don't think so, JKR.  (I still hope she doesn't really think so 
either, and will show us that in book 7.)

> >>Nora:
> <snip>
> And with the revelations about Snape's parentage, the whole 'poor 
> Snape abused by his father/family/whatever' scenario has started  
> to sprout at least a few holes. 
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
What holes?  This is the first I've heard of holes.

Betsy Hp