Dynamic characters vs. round characters (Is Snape dynamic?)

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 141779

Just to clear up a bit of confusion on the Snape-as-dynamic-character
debate, "dynamic" is a technical term with a specific meaning in the
context of literary analysis. It's possible for a character to be
"round" (complex, with more than one or two readily identifiable
traits) without being "dynamic" (changing or developing within the
context of the literary work). I would argue for Snape's complexity
(after all, we wouldn't be debating his intentions and culpability if
he were a "flat" character as one-dimensional as Lupinlore finds him),
but not necessarily for his dynamism/development within the time frame
of the six books we've read so far.

If we're looking for genuinely flat characters, I'd nominate
Crabbe/n/Goyle or Dudley or Professor Binns or Peeves. Most of these
characters are also static (nondynamic or nondeveloping), though it
could be argued that Dudley develops slightly as his bullying
techniques become more systematic. Lockhart, a flat character, is
dynamic in the sense that he loses his memory, but really he just
changes from one flat character to another. And Percy, whose character
traits are essentially limited to pomposity and ambition, nevertheless
manages to develop in relation to the story. He's flat but dynamic.

Harry, of course, is both round (complex) and dynamic, as are Ron and
Hermione. So is Dumbledore, who acts differently in OoP than in
earlier books, changing in his attitude toward and treatment of Harry
as Harry himself and his circumstances change. Sirius Black is also a
dynamic character, and not solely because the reader's perception of
him changes from PoA through the end of OoP. Most of the other
adults--McGonagall, Flitwick, the Weasleys, Filch, Trelawney,
Hagrid--are essentially static. They don't develop or change in
significant ways over the course of the books.

Snape? Certainly he changed from the teenager of the worst memory
scene to the adult Snape. If his repentance was real (and I believe it
was), he changed from a loyal Death Eater to DD's man. And the Snape
of Book 7 will be different from the Snape of previous books because
his relationship to Harry has changed (though his feelings probably
have not). But whether the Snape of SS/PS has changed fundamentally
from the Snape of Book 7 remains to be seen, and the turning point, if
any, has yet to be revealed and may need to be determined by the
individual reader.

Anyone who doesn't think that Snape is complex should perhaps reread
the Occlumency chapters in OoP and note that most of the time, he
*isn't* nasty to Harry. His words and actions are not predictable, as
Harry's expectations demonstrate repeatedly. Snape does not do what
Harry expects him to do. His revelation to Fudge of his blackening
Dark Mark in GoF is also completely unexpected. And the Unbreakable
Vow and the tower scene in HBP show clearly that he is a complex
(round) rather than a flat character, or all of us would immediately
understand his motivations and the significance of his actions.
Besides, he has more than one character trait. Brilliant. Witty. Mean.
Conflicted. Repressed--unless he lets go. Devoted to duty. Opposed to
arrogance and rule-breaking by students. Intolerant of weakness and
incompetence. Courageous. Manipulative. Above all, inscrutable.

He is by all accounts the most ambiguous and mysterious character in
the books, the only one besides Dumbledore who has kept secrets from
Harry, and consequently from us, throughout the entire series. His
inner turmoil, Slytherin self-interest and hatred of Harry's father
vs. his loyalty and sense of duty make him probably the most complex
character in the books aside from Harry himself and possibly Dumbledore. 

But dynamic, in the sense of the adult Snape shifting his loyalties
and motivating principles throughout the series, or at one or more key
points in the series? (I don't think anyone would argue that his
*personality* has changed, at least not in the time Harry has known
him.) I would argue that it's primarily our *perceptions* of him that
are dynamic, not Snape himself, whether he's ESE!, OFH! or DDM!. 

I happen to believe that he's been devoted to the same cause (bringing
down Voldemort) and maintained the same loyalties (to Dumbledore and
his cause), both of which motivate him, against his own will and
nature, to protect Harry and, when necessary, put aside his personal
antipathy for the greater good. But it's not necessary to hold this
view to see him as round but not dynamic, complex but essentially
unchanging.

Harry's perception of Snape, which is shifting and developing more
than he himself is aware of, and will, IMO, shift dramatically in the
other direction in Book 7, is another matter altogether.

Here's a simple outline of the concepts (flat vs. round, static vs.
dynamic) for anyone who's not familiar with the distinction:

http://www.cas.usf.edu/lis/lis6585/class/litelem.html

Carol, realizing that the application of these labels is somewhat
subjective but pretty sure that at least Crabbe and Goyle are labeled
correctly ;-)