The dynamic Snape (was: Twist JKR? )/ Which characters are dynamic?

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 141766

> >>Betsy Hp:
> <SNIP>
> > But a character being bitter doesn't automatically mean that     
> > character is flat.
 
> >>Alla:
> I agree with you - it does not automatically mean that, BUT  the 
> character being bitter and ONLY bitter all the time, does mean to 
> me that he is flat or static. Actually, Snape is NOT the only     
> example of the non dynamic characters in the books to me. I would 
> put almost all adults in that category, actually.
> <snip>
> I think that Trio undergoes the most dynamiuc development and I 
> absolutely think that as of now those three are the most complex  
> and well developed characters in the books.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
But it would be beyond weird if the adult characters changed as much 
as children who've gone from age eleven to sixteen.  To be dynamic, 
or fully fleshed out, a character doesn't have to change political 
affiliations or personalities. (In fact, I think that can be a way 
to create a false sense of depth where none actually exists.)

Let's take McGonagall as an example.  She's pretty much the same 
character from when she first transforms from a cat in the opening 
of PS/SS to her first staff meeting as Headmistress of Hogwarts in 
HBP.  But that doesn't mean she's not dynamic.  She reacts 
differently to Dumbledore than she does to Umbridge.  She's one way 
with Harry, another way with Neville, and another way with 
Hermione.  IOW, she's a fully-fleshed character rather than a simple 
stereotype.  But she is who she is.  Even with relatively little 
page space JKR has managed to create, IMO, a three dimensional 
character who doesn't sound just one note whenever she appears.

Snape is the same way.  He reacts differently to Dumbledore than he 
does to Umbridge.  He's one way with Harry, another way with 
Neville, and another way with Draco.  All of his various reactions 
to the varity of situations JKR has placed him in play true to his 
character but his reactions are not always the same.  He is not, 
contrary to Lupinlore's claims, a one note character.  Snape does 
behave differently, within the scope of his character, his 
personality, in different situations.

In fact, even the children remain true to their characters as 
they've grown.  Ron at sixteen is different, in many ways from the 
little eleven year old boy we met on the train to Hogwarts.  But in 
essentials he's the same.  He's still got a good sense of humor, an  
easy going friendliness, etc.  And that's to the good, I think.  
It's character consistency, and it's the mark of a good writer. 

When I was a very little girl I had a set of books that had giant 
circle headed characters with names like, Mr. Happy, and, Mr. 
Nervous.  Mr. Happy was always happy, and Mr. Nervous was always 
(you guessed it!) nervous.  They were one note characters.  

Snape is not Mr. Bitter.  He's not bitter when he interacts with 
Neville or McGonagall.  He wasn't bitter when he interacted with 
Bellatrix and Narcissa.  He certainly wasn't bitter when he was 
interacting with Sirius in OotP. (Intensely curious, amused, and I 
think rather satisfied were his chief emotions at the time, IMO.)  
Heck, he's not even always bitter when he's dealing with Harry.

Snape certainly expresses bitterness at times.  But it's not his 
single emotional response to everything that happens to him.  
Because Snape is dynamic, he reacts differently under different 
circumstances.  Because he is a consistent character, his reactions 
ring true.  And because he's still a bit of a mystery, sometimes his 
reactions are unpredictable.  Which, again, speaks well of JKR.

Betsy Hp