Choices (wasThe Unloved Son (was Could I be wrong about Snape being evil?))

[spookedook]

No: HPFGUIDX 156763

phoenixgod2000 wrote:
But if JKR goes out and turns Snape into an uber-hero who was on the 
right side the whole time, no mistakes made, then I will give away 
my books and never read them anything about Harry Potter again.

Abergoat writes:
But what if Snape IS just another Voldemort-type (filled with hatred 
and contempt for everyone) but just happens to hate Voldemort more 
than everyone else? I don't think he'll be a hero even if he has 
always been on the right side - I suspect anything he does is for 
revenge, not a 'hero' worthy emotion. But Dumbledore would recognize 
that everyone (even Mundungus) has their uses.

phoenixgod2000 wrote:
Snape at least becomes marginally more interesting if he is a flawed 
man who made mistakes, tries to make up for them, and continues to 
make mistakes along the way based on his human falliblities.

Abergoat writes:
I think even Dumbledore fits that statement. Just as you hate the 
idea
of a good Snape I've never understood why so many people want Snape 
to
have joined the Death Eaters for the 'wrong' reasons and then 'see 
the
light'. Personally, I think the essence of character is relatively
fixed long before adulthood and Snape was an adult when he joined the
Death Eaters. People don't change that much in fundementals...and
certainly not over unrequited love. I think JKR's grasp of what
drives people is better than that. Snape is calculating, I'm sure his
entrance into the Death Eaters was also calculated. Regulus was
different, it is suggested he was allowing himself to be driven by 
the
expectations of others. I cannot say I can think of an instance where
we get that from Snape.

Tinktonks:

Sorry to be a conversation crasher but I just had to throw my two 
cents in here, Firstly I think it is very sad that you would give 
away your books if Snape turned out to be a good guy Phoenixgod. 
Personally I love Snape as a character because he is a complex 
person. If he turns out to be a good guy then that is just one more 
level to him. I think Sirius phrased it best (Cant remember the 
exact quote but it was along the lines of `the world isn't divided 
into nice people and death eaters').

As Harry us the `hero' (subject to book 7 of course) I'm sure he 
would be dubbed `good guy' yet he doesn't always treat people that 
nicely.

Snape is a bitter warpish jerk who exerts power over people by 
putting them down, this is not nice but it doesn't mean he cant do 
good things. If Snape turns on LV and saves the day, he may be a 
have a go hero but it does not make him a brilliant person.

I also have to disagree with Abergoat (which pains me dearly as I 
love your posts and theories!!!) I don't think peoples personalities 
are set before adulthood at all. I can say from personal experience 
that people DO change dramatically.

Two years ago I got cancer and many people around me where affected 
so dramatically by this that they completely turned their lives 
around. Someone who I had come to dislike intensely suddenly 
realised how awful there behaviour had been and how it affected 
other people. She has never acted in this way again and is one of my 
best friends.

I think despite all his inadequacies and bitterness Snape cares very 
deeply for Dumbledore. I believe that if DD's death turns Snapes 
life around then it wouldn't be too much of a surprise.

I think JKR really does have a great understanding I human nature 
and believes in chances just like DD!

Tinktonks - Rant over. Sorry!