[HPforGrownups] The Unloved Son (was Re: Could I be wrong about Snape being evil?)

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 156669

Sherry,
 If Snape is
> so emotionally mature, he should be able to realize that Harry is
not James,
> and that Harry has no more control over who his parents were than
does
> Snape. 

wynnleaf
I agree that there's a level of immaturity there.  However, I'm interested
to note that when DD speaks in OOTP of Snape's inability to get over his
feelings about James, DD says that "some wounds go too deep for healing."
DD does *not* indicate that Snape was being petty in his hatred for James.
We readers often think of it as a school boy's grudge, but that's not really
how DD characterized it when he spoke of the depth of the wound.



Sherry now:

I actually agree with this.  What I find immature is the instant hatred of
Harry based on who Harry's father was.  There are people who have destroyed
me in ways, people who have devastated my life.  The wounds may indeed be
too deep to heal.  I would never like or trust those people.  But should I
then hate and be cruel to that person's son, just because the kid is that
enemy's son?  That would be petty and ridiculous, and yes, emotionally
immature.  I believe there is more to the Snape and James issue than we've
yet seen, but going on what we've seen so far, of course Snape hated James.
But Harry shouldn't get treated the way he does because of that.  That's not
how a mature man should act.

As for his spying, some people thrive on danger, the thrill.  I actually
don't see Snape that way.  Just throwing it out in the mix.  It's certainly
possible to be able to act a particular role and still not be emotionally
balanced or mature.  Actors get paid to act a certain way, and I'd hardly
say they all act like mature individuals.  grin.  Snape, to me, has got to
be one heck of an actor, no matter where his loyalties lie, or if he has any
loyalties at all, except to himself.  

Sherry