Snape, Apologies, and Redemption--Lupin vs. DD

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 152695

> Leslie41:
> Oh, I don't think Snape is innocent by any means.  <snip>  My 
> point is that people seem very willing to indict Snape for his
> behaviors (or even *invent* nasty things he's done), when other 
> characters do things that are just as, or far more blameworthy.  
> But (IMHO) because those other characters are charismatic, or 
> handsome, or well-liked, they don't seem to have to bear the 
> responsibility or the blame for their actions the way Snape does.  
> They're given a "pass".  Not fair.  Just not fair.  


Oh, absolutely other people get passes for things where Snape does 
not.  Hagrid gets a pass for being a bad teacher.  Snape does not.  
That's one example.  And it is perfectly appropriate that it be that 
way.  Hagrid is nice, Snape is mean.  Hagrid therefore gets a pass 
and Snape does not.

There are rewards for being nice.  Getting passes for your faults is 
one of them.  There are problems with being mean (leaving aside 
abusive, which Snape is).  The problem is you don't get the same 
pass for your faults that a nice person does.

And all that is perfectly fair and perfectly appropriate.  It's part 
of the great balancing wheel of life -- or karma, if you prefer to 
use a much more loaded term.


Lupinlore