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

[M.Clifford]

No: HPFGUIDX 143326

 
> Betsy Hp:
> ....  
> 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.)

Valky now:
The "crime" is far greater than taking a few house points. It should
be measured in context, and therefore be estimated as appropriate to
the cost/bribe that endows one with the powers of the little silver I
badge under the Toad regime. IOW Montague's crimes in book five are at
least in the vicinity of volunteering material aid to Umbridges
hostile takeover of Hogwarts and oppression of Harry and his
housemates and friends - beyond and including his Slytherin Quidditch
team's reprehensible attack on Harry when he caught the snitch and
other acts of sabotage on the Gryffindor team in the game in chapter
19, the consequences of the same he found most amusing to discuss over
dinner that night. 

In short I think JKR means us to measure Fred and Georges attack on
Montague as proportionate to Fred and Georges suffering - being kicked
when they were clearly down. Sure I agree with you that in hindsight
it's a bit harsh that they put Montague in hospital, certainly not
perfect retribution for what he had done but OTOH I insist it is wrong
to measure it that way, for Fred and George it was their fight against
a contingent of the army of their oppressor, it's unfair to paint them
as the 'bully' here given that in the context of the book they were
the underdog rebels with their face in the dirt. They were fighting
back, not standing over.

In my Humble Opinion
Valky