Snape! Snape! Snape! Snape! Loverly Snape! Wonderful Snape! (long)

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 148255

> Elisabet:
>  
> > So, once again, the OED definition of "sadist":  "...more 
generally,
> > someone who derives satisfaction from inflicting pain or 
asserting his
> > or her power over others." 
> > 
> > Satisfaction? Sounds like Snape to me, on any number of 
occasions. 
> 
> Shaun:
> 
> And as I've said a number of times, that doesn't sound like Snape 
> to me. I don't see real evidence that Snape derives satisfaction 
> from inflicting pain. But I think I can understand why others see 
> that, and if so, then yes, they are using the word 'sadist' 
> correctly. Bringing up definitions though, in my case, wasn't meant 
> to address that idea. I don't have a problem with that definition 
> (I just don't believe it applies). It's just that somebody has 
> presented a dictionary definition that merely says 'extreme 
> cruelty' - and that's a definition I do have a problem with. It's 
> just too broad to be meaningful.

Alla:

Gah. I feel bad for myself to waste the post solely for self-
clarification purposes, but I think I have to, just to make my 
position absolutely clear.

I also don't think that sadism equals "excessive cruelty". I 
mentioned in one of my earlier posts that I think that JKR primarily 
used definition two of sadism ( what Elisabeth just brought up) and  
MAYBE definition three, but that was, really just in case sort of 
comment, to cover all my bases, so what I DO see in the books is 
Snape enjoying Harry and Neville suffer, not in the sexual sense, no, 
but suffer nevertheless.

And I don't want to bring all the canon examples again ( will if 
necessary, but I had been parroting myself a lot as it is :-), but 
IMO and IMO Snape does do it.

JMO,

Alla