Snape, You're My Hero! Get Away From Me You Filthy...

[vmonte]

No: HPFGUIDX 140361

Betsy Hp:
Lupinlore, I'd take you more seriously if you'd *use the books*
instead of just stating opinion. That's why I snipped most of your
response. It lacked any sort of substance. You disagree with me,
fine. But I brought up canon, and you've not used any of it. I'd
love to know what you find different between McGonagall's behavior
and Snape's. You say Snape is a "textbook example", what textbook?
And what does that textbook say?

And from other posts:
...Actually, most of the "school bullies" are treated this way by JKR
it seems. Harry is richer, more connected, more popular, and more
athletic than Draco. Hermione is prettier and more popular than
Pansy. The twins are much better thugs than Crabbe and Goyle. (When
the twins do the equivalent of stuffing someone in a locker, their
victim nearly dies. Crabbe and Goyle can't even handle Neville. The
twins help their guy beat down the enemy all the time. I don't recall
Harry ever being touched by Crabbe and Goyle, Draco takes Harry on
alone.)

Strikes me as a bit strange really. It's like JKR has turned
the "schooldays" genre up side down.

...This is where I'm aware I'm kind of on my own, but honestly? I've
yet to Snape behaving as a "deeply horrible person". He's certainly
never struck me as sadistic (where do folks get that idea? I
seriously wonder), and I've not really seen him abuse his powers.

Oh sure, he plays the big bad to Harry, but frankly, Harry usually
deserves it. And yeah, I think Snape *did* seriously worry that
Harry may become evil himself. The temptations were certainly
there, and Snape would be painfully aware of how far a silly little
boy could go if he started to believe his press.


vmonte responds:
Well Betsy, I'm amazed at the back flips you need to do to make a
case for Snape (and Draco). I would like to see you use book
quotes "appropriately" to back up your ideas. Even you must realize
that attacking students for what you and Snape believe they may
become (new evil overlord) is not appropriate teacher behavior. That
just because you and Snape think that it is a good idea to
immediately put a student in their place (before you even know them)
in case they get a big head about themselves, does not mean that you
are thinking correctly. That just because you and Snape feel that
Harry should be knocked down a few pegs on a consistent basis does
not mean that either you or Snape are right. That just because you
and Snape believe that Neville should be humiliated in class for what
you believe to be his lack of skill, does not mean that you and Snape
have the right idea. That just because you and Snape do not like know-
it-alls does not mean that it is appropriate for people to
sadistically derive pleasure from cruelty towards students like
Hermione ("I see no difference" comment).

And most importantly, that just because you disagree with JKR's
comments regarding Snape does not mean that she is wrong, carelessly
using words, or lying to fans on purpose. It may just mean that you
are COMPLETELY wrong--JMO of course.

Carol wrote a very good post regarding Snape the other day that I'm
still thinking about. She used information found in the books to make
a very interesting case for a loyal Snape. Unfortunately, it's
reading comments like yours that make me even surer that the OFH
Snape posters are on the right track.

In your quest to make Snape a hero you have begun to attack the true
hero of the books. Harry is not the bad guy. Anyone with any "sort of
substance" can tell you this is a fact. If the only way you can prove
your point about Snape's loyalty is by putting down Harry and
company, then I can pretty much place bets right now that your ideas
are dead wrong.

Vivian