Order Members' Motivations for Joining Up? (Re: Harry Forgiving Snape )

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 162988

> zgirnius:
> I'd say it's real; what I don't see is why this would make Snape
> OFH! in the big picture. Snape's a person, not an automaton. Since
> I believe he's DDM! (and I tend to share Carol's idea that it is
> his remorse over the prophecy that pushed him into that camp) he's 
> working for the defeat of Voldemort/on Dumbledore's side, and not 
> simply because he thinks they are going to win, or make his life 
> better (OFH!). He can still feel pride in his contributions,
> though, that's normal human behavior. 

Jen: OFH was a bad choice there, 'personal' is a better choice.  In 
the quote from OOTP (chap. 26), Snape had a 'curious, almost 
satisfied expression' about discovering what the Dark Lord says to 
his DE's.  I'm sure he feels pride because frankly he's doing a job 
NO one else can do given his superb Occlumency skills.  But my guess 
is one huge part of his satisfaction is holding power over Voldemort 
in a way that Voldemort once held over him (speculation).  I believe 
remorse took Snape to Dumbledore's door and was the basis of their 
trust, but think a fury for personal vengeance fuels Snape's desire 
to defeat Voldemort.

Other Order members aren't motivated purely for the good of the WW 
either, imo.  All have personal reasons for joining the Order and all 
seem to share in common only an intense loyalty to Dumbledore and a 
desire to defeat Voldemort.  I'm just speculating that Snape wants LV 
destroyed for the sake of his destruction and not for a personal 
reason which also includes value for other people (beyond what all 
Order members share, i.e., defeating Voldemort is good for the WW).  
Examples include Lupin hoping to gain rights for oppressed werewolves 
or Molly wanting her family to be safe or Arthur hoping Muggles will 
get better treatment. 

Sirius was motivated to join out of hatred toward his family but also 
because he believed pureblood prejudice was wrong and felt loyalty 
toward his friends (and hating the dark arts too?).

What do others think, why do Order members join up and are all 
personally motivated by something *other* than the defeat of 
Voldemort, something contributing to the WW at large?  I'm having a 
hard time coming up with a reason for certain characters like 
Mundungus or even the twins (Voldemort seems good for business at the 
moment <g>).


Jen, thanking zgirnius for the friendly welcome to Camp DDM and 
finding the smores quite tasty. :-)