Sadistic Teachers (was:Re: Teaching Styles)

[dungrollin]

No: HPFGUIDX 148151

Ginger:
The main point, I think, was whether or not the resemblance to Trevor
was a sign of Snape's alleged sadism.
<snip>
It's still a close call, so others may not see it as sadistic, or may
only see it as a bit.  I'd bet he'd rather Neville wasn't melting
cauldrons in the first place so he didn't have to give him the
detentions.

My final opinion?  Moderately sadistic.  YMMV, everyone's does.

Dungrollin:
I just thought I'd drop my opinion into the mix, since I haven't 
seen anyone else post my take on it.

I'm happy to label some of Snape's actions sadistic (in the enjoying-
others'-discomfort sense rather than anything sexual). But then, I'm 
also happy to label some of Harry's actions (mostly words, though 
the Crucios he was throwing around count too) sadistic, along with 
Ron and the twins, Umbridge, James, Sirius etc. I'm not going 
through all six books picking out every time some character enjoys 
the misfortune of another; for one thing there are too many. 
Frankly, when you don't like someone it's hard to hide a smile when 
they get their comeuppance, and canon is chock-full of people who 
don't like each other. This is *normal*. 

There is a distinction that I would make, however, because there is 
a difference in taking pleasure in someone's suffering (whether 
caused by you or not), and causing someone suffering *specifically 
so that you can enjoy it*. 

My problems therefore start when posters label Snape as an 
unqualified sadist, because I think that some mention needs to be 
made of his intentions. If Snape *only* gave horrible detentions, 
humiliated students in class, and all the other nasty things he does 
because he enjoys watching people suffer, then I would admit that 
what we had on our hands was an out-and-out sadist.

However (you knew that was coming, surely), I have a hunch that this 
is not the case. Sure, he enjoys watching them suffer, but is that 
why he does it? 

Call me a Snape Apologist if you must, I feel damn sorry for him. 
He's such an emotional ****-up. I know people like that in real 
life, (I even went out with one for three years), people who hold 
grudges *forever*, who can't forgive anything, who are so wrapped up 
in their own injuries that they're insensible to the injuries of 
others. I'd bet you (if it could ever be proven either way) that 
Snape would be able to logically justify every single punishment and 
every single harsh word he's ever given out. (Possibly with the 
exception of smashing Harry's potion in OotP, which I found 
hilariously funny*, but utterly indefensible if we're pretending 
that Snape is real.) 

Now those justifications would undoubtedly fall into the category of 
rationalising the irrational, but we're all guilty as hell of that 
too. Everybody does it; people are not rational creatures. Even when 
we try our best (in science) we have to force ourselves to abide by 
extremely strict rules in order to stop ourselves seeing what we 
want to see, and concluding what we want to conclude.

I think Snape genuinely believes that if he's horrible enough to his 
students they'll finally get it right out of fear – perhaps because 
this is what worked on him as a child. Leading back into the good-
teacher/bad-teacher debate, I cut Snape some slack in his lack of 
flexibility with Neville because I don't think he can change the way 
he is. He is `damaged', and severely so. Time after time Neville 
still fails to get it right, and Snape assumes it's his own fault 
for not frightening Neville enough. So ok, if I can't frighten him 
into getting it right by humiliating him in class (given how 
sensitive teenagers are to embarrassment it doesn't surprise me in 
the least that this is Snape's most frequently-used tactic), I'll 
give him a detention that he'll never forget.

In conclusion, I'd say that Snape reacts sadistically (as do many 
other canon characters) and that he acts sadistically (as do many 
other canon characters, but I would stop short of labelling him a 
sadist, because although he can be sadistic, he doesn't cause others 
suffering *purely for enjoyment*. The few times he does, when 
there's no other obvious reason for his behaviour (Snape-bashers 
would say `excuse'), are equalled by Harry's flinging around of the 
Cruciatus Curse, and his tormenting of Dudley. And I wouldn't label 
Harry a sadist, either.

Dungrollin

* because it's such a classic insight into Snape's character, not 
because I'm a sadist myself, or anything...