Nice vs. Good, honesty, and Snape: Was Snape, Apologies, and Redemption

[leslie41]

No: HPFGUIDX 152895

> Lanval:
> If nice = kind is an acceptable definition, then how can its total 
> absence in a person be considered not only positive ("being on the 
> right side is enough, being nice is a waste of time, etc....) but 
> actually be thought superior?

Leslie41:
But I don't agree that nice = kind.  

> > Leslie41:
>  
> > As for him not being "compassionate," that depends on your view 
> > of compassion.  Snape commits acts of compassion, even if he 
> > does not "feel" compassion, because it is the right thing to do.
> 
> Lanval:
> Can you name one of those acts? 

Leslie41:
If one defines "compassion" as the awareness of suffering and the 
wish to stop it, or to prevent it, I can name many.  Starting with 
his work as a spy, and his attempts to save Harry's life.

There are many others.  Merely refusing to grant Umbridge the 
veritaserum, for example. 

> Er, the one Nora just mentioned? Snape has been canonically proven 
> to be completely, utterly wrong about Sirius. 

See my post in answer to Nora.

> > Leslie41:
> > I think all the explanation we need for Snape JOINING the DE is 
> > that Snape was a tormented outsider, humiliated and violated by 
> > the "popular kids" in school.  The appeal of the Death Eaters is 
> > the same appeal of the "Trenchcoat Mafia", and the Nazis.  
> 
> Lanval:
> No. A loud, resounding NO. James and Sirius cannot be held 
> responsible for Snape joining the DE. 

Leslie41:
Where did I say they should be held responsibile?  I'm explaining 
why I think Snape joined the Death Eaters, not defending him for 
doing so.

> Lanval:
> To say that their actions caused Snape pain is correct; to say 
> that their actions contributed to Snape's 'contra mundum' 
> attitude, his contempt and rage against everything and everyone, 
> is possible. But to claim that we must look no further than to 
> Snape's status as a victim of James and Sirius would be, IMO, 
> simplistic beyond belief. And it, as usual, absolves poor Sevvie 
> of all personal responsibility. 

Leslie41:
Nothing James, or Sirius, or Tobias ever did to Snape absolves him 
of responsibility.  Snape knows that, and I think that is why he is 
working for the defeat of Voldemort.