JKR's Opinions (was: Snape's canon opposite/ Proving loyalty)

[jessicabathurst]

No: HPFGUIDX 140315

vmonte responds:
> > What about Snape?
> > JKR: Snape is a very sadistic teacher, loosely based on a 
> > teacher I myself had, I have to say. 

houyhnhnm:
> Then she *is* using the word carelessly.  There is a huge 
> difference between being "not a particularly pleasant person" and 
> being sadistic.  

Jessica:
I agree.  What's most interesting about this statement is that Rowling does give us an example of a teacher that can only be described as "very sadistic" - Umbridge.  (Although whether she'd written Umbridge before she answered this question, I do not know.)  Dear Delores makes Harry carve "I will not tell lies" into his own hand.  Snape tries (and fails) to poison Neville's toad.  Snape is in the minor leagues of sadism here.  I would describe him as "occasionally sadistic" at best, although he is certain not pleasant.

Which brings me to my next point:

vmonte:
> > Something that I find interesting in the Snape debates is that
> > nothing JKR says in her interviews about Snape is ever considered
> > as canon evidence.

Jessica:
Although I have the utmost respect for Rowling as the creator of this fabulous world, I don't much care what her opinions are of the 
characters as human beings.  She may describe Snape as "very sadistic," but I wouldn't, and if I could base my case on the books she's written, I wouldn't be wrong.  Rowling has access to tons of information about her characters that I don't have and will never have, but if it doesn't show up in the books, then I can't possibly be expected to base my conclusions on it.  In my view, Rowling's opinions on Snape are as valid as anyone else's on this list, but no more.  It's what she writes about him that counts.  (Huh.  And I didn't think I paid enough attention in my literary theory class to drag up "reader response" at this late date.  Viva the theoretical Death of the Author!)

I write this as someone who spent most of "David Copperfield" waiting for Dora to kick it because I thought she was insipid and grating.  I'm guessing that probably wasn't what Dickens was after.  

Best,
Jessica
(who now thinks Snape should have made Harry wear a "Take Care of Him, He Curses" sign if he wanted to make it to the big leagues.)