Sadistic Teachers (was:Re: Teaching Styles)

[lagattalucianese]

No: HPFGUIDX 148299

> 
> Betsy Hp:
> Sadism: 
> Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary, from Marquis De 
> *Sade*
> 1: a sexual perversion in which gratification is obtained by the 
> infliction of physical or mental pain on others (as on a love 
object)
> 2a: delight in cruelty b: excessive cruelty
> [From Merriam-Webster Online http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/sadism ]
> 
> There are two ways to use the word.  One is rather casual and this 
> is how I suspect JKR was using the word in her interview.  Snape 
can 
> be a rather nasty person, and is usually pleased to catch Harry in 
> wrong-doing.  That can be described as sadistic.  Just as Harry's 
> daydream about smashing Snape's head in with a cauldron could also 
> be described in casual terms as sadistic.
> 
La Gatta Lucianese:

If you want an example of JKR doing the other sort, I offer you 
OotP.32, in which Umbridge has Harry and his friends at her mercy:

"'Very well,' she said, and she pulled out her wand. 'Very well...I 
am left with no alternative.... This is more than a matter of school 
discipline.... This is an issue of Ministry security.... Yse...yes...'

"She seemed to be talking herslf into something. She was shifting her 
weight nervously from foot to foot, staring at Harry, beating her 
wand against her empty palm and breathing heavily. Harry felt 
horribly powerless without his own wand as he watched her.

"'You are forcing me, Potter.... I do not want to,' said Umbridge, 
still moving restlessly on the spot, 'but sometimes circumstances 
justify the use...I am sure the Minister will Understand that I had 
no choice....'

"Malfoy was watching her with a hungry expression on his face.

"'The Cruciatus Curse ought to loosen your tongue,' said Umbridge 
quietly.

"'No!' shrieked Hermione. 'Professor Umbridge--it's illegal--' but 
Umbridge took no notice. There was a nasty, eager, excited look on 
her face that Harry had never seen there before.

"'The Minister wouldn't want you to break the law, Professor 
Umbridge!' cried Hermione.

"'What Cornelius doesn't know won't hurt him,' said Umbridge, who was 
now panting slightly as she pointed her wand at different parts of 
Harry's gody in turn, apparently trying to decide what would hurt the 
most...."

Now *that* is sexual sadism at its most disgusting. And Draco know it 
and is getting a charge out of it too. *Not* a nice kid. Nothing in 
canon shows Snape behaving even remotely like that.