Snape as a bully? (was Bullying was Prodigal Son)

[raie8]

No: HPFGUIDX 140907

>shaun posted:
<snip> 
> Is Snape a bully? Ooh, that is a very hard question - because like 
so many others it depends a lot on the definitions that you use. 
<snip> 
> To me, part of what makes somebody a bully is their motivation - a 
> bully bullies out of selfish self-gratification.  
> Snape is nasty. That doesn't make him a bully.<snip>
> Maybe - but honestly, given what we actually see in canon - a boy 
who is bullied himself, and worse than that seems to be so unpopular 
that even people who aren't bullying him laugh at what happens to 
him, and 
> the only person who comes to his aid does so, certainly not because 
> she is his friend - but just because she is a decent person...
> 
> I really wonder did Snape join that gang of Slytherins, not because 
> he was a bully, but because he wanted protection from them.
>


Raie: 

I don't see Snape so much as a bully, but just vindictive. The 
original spells were self protection perhaps inspired by the fact he 
was constantly picked on and singled out, what better way to not 
appear weak and a victim than to invent dark spells. If you act 
strange or dangerous people will usually leave you alone. He insulted 
Lilly in response to the added humiliation of being rescued by girl 
and appearing weak.  

We have seen him being picked on at school and at least a witness to, 
if not a receiver of, domestic violence at home. I see him taking out 
his anger and frustrations by inventing/dreaming up curses to get 
even by humiliating and even mortally wounding his tormentors. I 
doubt that he really wanted to use them on the inspiring targets; 
originally it was about releasing his anger by focusing on creating 
them and fantasizing about who to try them on. His success probably 
abated his thirst for revenge and gave him a sense of accomplishment, 
boosting his very low self esteem. It seems that from an early age he 
had a talent for that sort of thing. No doubt adding to his 
reputation and making his social acceptance even more difficult.  He 
strikes me as a very shy and guarded boy, afraid to let anyone close, 
because he has been hurt before and lacks social skills to cope. He 
adopts a defense mechanism of isolating himself to prevent further 
injuries.

Shaun: <snip>
> The only real evidence I can see that Snape was a bully at school 
> comes from Lily.
> 
> 'I don't want you to make him apologise,' Lily shouted, rounding on 
> James. 'You're as bad as he is.'

Raie:
I think here she is referring to Snape's uncouth comment and not the 
fact that he was a bully like James but just as rude and immature. 
She was trying to make a point by comparing James to Severus, thus 
insulting them both.

yet more ramblings from Raie....The only means of strengthening one's 
intelligence is to make up one's mind about nothing-- to let the mind 
be a thoroughfare for all thoughts. (John Keats)

Raie.