Is Punishment the only recompense? (was Re: Straightforward readings?)

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 140762

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, juli17 at a... wrote:
>  
<SNIP>
>  
> Now, I realize that as Snape is atoning for some wrongs (his DE 
> actions) he is committing others (his verbal abuse of certain 
> students). But I find those wrongs to be lesser wrongs--and we
> get into that abuse argument here, but there are greater and 
> lesser wrongs, and Snape's brand of verbal abuse is way down
> the scale compared to the Dursleys' abuse, let alone the wrongs
> of Umbridge, Crouch Jr, Lockhart or Pettigrew, who all murdered
> or attempted to murder children with no compunction or remorse.
> Snape may never be punished for these wrongs, but when you put
> it into perspective, they are fairly tame, and the fact that  
miserable
> gits find themselves ostracized and friendless may be the most
> fitting punishment for their "horrible" behavior anyway. 
>  


Oh, that would be, IMO, extraordinarily poor writing.  Sorry, you 
(the generic you) just can't let characters in this kind of genre go 
unpunished for that type of behavior - no matter how it stacks up in 
the "great scheme of things."  It's just not what many (I really 
think most) people read the books for.  And if JKR trots out 
the "I'm writing for myself argument," then I would have to say 
that, regretably, she is being incredibly naive and extremely 
foolish.

Now, punishment doesn't mean lifelong punishment.  A single deeply 
reluctant "I'm sorry, I was wrong," followed by death in the cause 
of good, would do it.  However, minus the apology, no matter what 
Harry comes to think about Snape, then I would say JKR will have 
failed utterly (if JKR does indeed intend us to see Snape on the 
side of good.  If he is OFH or ESE, then death is quite adequate).

It would also be extraordinarily poor writing to let Umbridge go 
unpunished.  However, there are strong hints that she won't be in 
JKR's interviews, so I have hope she won't be foolish with regard to 
Snape, either.


Lupinlore