A Cold Equation (was Re: The Trial Of Severus Snape)

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 141425

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, juli17 at a... wrote:
 
>  
> Another piece of evidence in my opinion (not ironclad proof) is  the
> wording JKR used. Most of the time, if one is begging someone
> else not to do something, there is usually a negative connotation.
> For instance, "Please, don't..." or "Severus, no..." But in HBP we
> get Dumbledore saying "Severus...please..." which tells me he is 
> begging Snape to DO something, rather than to NOT do something.
> "Severus...please...(You must do it. It's the only way.)"
>  


Actually, I completely and totally disagree that the wording tells us 
anything whatsoever about whether DD wanted Snape to do something or 
not to do something.  Certainly why I am pleading with someone, whether 
to do or not to do anything. I always start with their name, thus 
invoking a personal relationship and therefore making a much more 
persuasive case.  "Mother, please don't be so obtuse."  Or, "Jack, 
please don't disappoint me this time around." Or, "Peter, please do a 
better job this time." Or, "Ed, please remember what we talked about.  
Starting a sentence with "Severus, please..." tells us absolutely, 
positively, nothing about whether Dumbledore was asking Snape to do 
something or not to do something.

Having said that, I totally agree that DD would not plead for his own 
life.  He would, however, plead for any number of other things 
perfectly in keeping with any interpretion of Snape, including OFH! and 
ESE!  For instance, "Severus, please don't do this to yourself."  
or "Severus, please remember how important our cause is." or "Severus, 
please don't forget there are things beyond your own hurts." 
or "Severus, please remember all our long talks." 

In fact, I would be much more inclined to find that DDM!Snape would be 
a good literary possibility (i.e. good writing) had DD said nothing.  
In a DDM scenario, there is nothing to be said and no need to say it.  
By indicating that DD did feel the need to say something, JKR makes it 
much more difficult, indeed nearly impossible, to craft a DDM!Snape 
that would constitute good writing.  The idea that Snape, of all 
people, would be so sentimental as to need urging is rankly 
unbelievable, and reeks of ham-fisted and poorly written manipulation.

Lupinlore