Bullying was Re: [HPforGrownups] Re: Prodigal Sons

[Kathryn Jones]

No: HPFGUIDX 140735

IreneMikhlin wrote:


> I have yet to see a suicide note that reads: "My chemistry teacher is a
> mean, unfair, sarcastic bastard; and that's why I've had enough".
> 
> Do you see what I mean? Snape, as horrible as he is to Harry and Neville
> (and I leave arguing about ABUSE vs. "abuse" to another day), does not
> really have as much influence over their lives as people imagine.
> Really, they have Potions 2 hours a week. As soon as they are out of his
> classroom, that's it. Classmates, on the other hand, can turn one's live
> into a 24/7 living hell.
> Irene

KJ writes:
    This is a very good point.  All of Harry's angsty moments are from 
being left out of the loop, being treated poorly by Ron, being caught in 
the middle of arguments between Ron & Hermione, and all of the students 
being fearful of him or not believing him. He handled his anger and 
"hatred" of Snape very well at the end of OotP. He obviously does not 
fear Snape in HBP. He is rude, disrespectful, and suspicious, but did 
not fear Snape even at the end after the death of DD.
    All through the books, there is a sense of dislike and distrust, but 
not outright fear of Snape.
    While people might argue that since Snape and the students all live 
in the castle, Snape would have access to them if he wished to terrorize 
them further. It would equate to more than 2 hours a week that he would 
be able to have an effect on them. This does not seem to be an issue 
other than detentions. I seem to recall that Umbridge gave Harry more 
detentions than Snape did in four books. It is also only the Trio and 
Neville who Snape treats this way. I think that this treatment of Harry
Neville, Ron and Hermione had a purpose, was deliberate, that Dumbledore 
was fully aware of it and allowed it out of necessity. Part of the 
reason Harry hates Snape is because he is treated differently from the 
other students. Kids don't notice as much or take it personally if all 
the students are treated poorly. The worst teacher I had as a child gave 
me migraine headaches, but it never even crossed my mind that they were 
caused by her constant demands. I just didn't like her.
KJ