Are appearances important to Snape? (was: CHAPDISC: HBP 2, Spinner's End)

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 142130

SSSusan:
<SNIP>
> What intrigued me most, however, were your final few words:  "... 
> when appearances are so important to him."  I am interested in this 
> precisely because other list members have argued that Snape is NOT 
at 
> all interested in appearances [the grey underwear, greasy hair, 
> yellowing teeth, all of which *might* indicate a lack of attention 
to 
> hygiene].  
> 
> Without taking a position one way or the other myself ;-), I would 
> like to ask KJ (or others who agree with her) if more could be said 
> about why you feel "appearances are so important" to Snape.


Alla:

I would say that it is incredibly important to Snape as to how others 
PERCEIVE him, not necessarily because of his looks, but because of 
prestige and power I believe he craves.

His overwhelming demeanor with students on the first lesson, his 
constant referring to himself as Potion Master, while he seems to be 
the only one in Hogwarts staff who calls himself master, while we 
know 
that he is NOT the only one who CAN be called master ( Flitwick could 
care less, for example).

So, what am I trying to say? I don't know if looks per se are 
important 
to Snape, but how he perceived by others as a person, I think 
certainly 
is.

I share Nora's opinion that Snape' exiting the scene in HBP is being 
made ridiculous on purpose ( I was SO cheering Buckbeak), I believe 
that maybe at the end of the saga, JKR will make Snape reassess his 
desire to be perceived as someone influential, powerful, etc. That is 
if he would be redeemed of course ( If he needs redemption of course, 
before I get accused of dismissing DD!M Snape )

Just speculating here, of course.

Sorry, if I have not answered your question. :-)

Alla