High Noon for OFH!Snape

lupinlore rdoliver30 at yahoo.com
Sat Mar 11 15:42:31 UTC 2006


No: HPFGUIDX 149426

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "nrenka" <nrenka at ...> wrote:
>
<SNIP>
> 
> Here's the classic problem I feel obliged to raise over and over 
> again.  OFH!Snape is defined by wanting what he wants (at least to 
> me); this does not preclude actions which might be read as 
> altruistic, if they're towards an end which he's interested in.

Exactly.  The problem with most arguments about OFH!Snape is that 
many people seem to think that OFH!Snape means DWLIHBIAIUI!Snape 
(i.e. DoingWhat'sLogicallyInHisBestInterestAsIUnderstandIt!Snape).  
But, as Nora points out in the next paragraph, judgments of "best 
interest" are, to a certain extent, incommensurable from one person 
to another (although obviously not ABSOLUTELY incommensurable).  This 
is particularly the case when goals are not clearly shared 
understood -- which is pretty much all the time.  After all, most 
people don't really understand their OWN goals very clearly, much 
less anyone else's.  Or perhaps, to contradict myself and show how 
illogical and totally fouled up the human psyche is, we are not able 
to see the illogic and internal contradictions in our own goals, but 
readily see them in other people's, thus our constant complaint 
that "You're acting crazy!"  Or, to put it as an aphorism, "Never 
attribute anything to malice, conspiracy, or deep plotting that is 
adequately explained by cognitive dissonance, muddled thinking, and 
irrational desire."

Thus, there is no reason whatsoever that OFH!Snape might not be loyal 
to Dumbledore in most situations. There is no reason that OFH!Snape 
might not genuinely feel certain obligations to the side of light.  
But there is also no reason that any of this should be obviously in 
his "best interest" as defined by an outside observer, particularly 
one with no real understanding of the man (which fits pretty much 
everybody, even within the text, with the possible exceptions of DD 
and Voldy).
.
> 
> People have asked again and again why OFH!Snape, for instance, 
would 
> be a twerk to Harry instead of trying to manipulate the kid (full 
> negative connotations here, of course).  The answer may well be 
> because it makes him *happy*.  

Hmmm.  I wouldn't go so far as happy.  I'd say it may scratch a 
psychic itch and relieve tension.  That doesn't necessarily mean that 
OFH!Snape (or any other variety of Snape, for that matter), isn't 
readily aware of the potential damage he is wreaking both to his 
cause and to his own future by alienating Harry.  The sicko just 
can't help himself.  Much like some alcoholics pick up the bottle 
knowing they will hate themselves in the morning, Snape can't resist 
alienating Harry even though he well understands that it may backlash 
on him.

Lupinlore, who gleefully anticipates the howls that will result as 
the Snape mysteries collapse, and who is laying in popcorn for the 
show (as well as Thorazine to suppress the projectile vomiting sure 
to result if JKR settles on the more extreme versions of DDM!Snape, 
especially the -- IMO -- ludicrously poor writing inherent in a 
Snape/Lily infatuation).









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