Either way Snape is a dead man

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 148713

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Arlene" <arlenegustave at ...> 
wrote:
<SNIP>

> 
> Moral: This is a children's book and a lesson must be learned that 
evil 
> doings will never prevail and life happily ever after.
> 
> Realistic: You can't play sides and come out on top. His game is up.


Okay, I agree with the general gist of what you say.  However, a few 
things come to mind.

First of all, I'm not sure we are really dealing with a children's book 
anymore.  On the other hand, I'm not sure we aren't, either.  JKR has 
made it clear time and again that she regards children as her main and 
most important audience, and I think we ignore that fact to our peril.  
But even if it isn't a children's book, on the third hand, that does 
not negate your moral point.

On the fourth hand (I'm having my neighbor help out, if you're 
wondering where all these hands are coming from) if you believe Snape 
is DD's man and DD's death was in fact planned, you have to include DD 
as a partner in Snape's "evil doings."  I don't object to that -- 
indeed it makes for a very interesting twist on the story and its 
morality.  I'm just pointing out the fact.

With regard to your realistic point, I guess you are talking about the 
actual mechanics of playing both sides?  Just trying to make things a 
little clearer, not trying to be snide.  What I gather you are saying 
is that playing a double game such as Snape may have been playing is, 
in fact, so dangerous that no one can expect to keep it up forever, and 
when Snape is found out as he inevitably will be, the price will be his 
life.  If that is what you mean, I agree that such is a very plausible 
outcome.


Lupinlore