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

[lanval1015]

No: HPFGUIDX 152941

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

Lanval:
My trusty old Random House Dictionary does, however.

nice: 1. pleasing; agreeable; delightful: a nice visit
      2. amiably pleasant, kind.
Then follows a list of other meanings, such as 'accurate, precise", 
and a few archaic ones.

It also lists as an interesting side note the following:
Usage: The semantic history of 'nice' is varied, as the etymology and 
the obsolete senses attest, and any attempt to insist on only one of 
its senses as correct will not be in keeping with the facts of the 
way the word is used. If any criticism is valid, it might be that the 
word is used too often and has become a cliche lacking the qualities 
of precision and intensity embodied in many of its synonyms.



> > 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.

Lanval:
*IF* he decided to work as a spy to stop people suffering from LV's 
reign of terror. Intent is everything with acts of compassion. 

About saving Harry's life again:

Let's take the first attempt, at the Quidditch match. So far the 
explanation we got from canon is that Snape was trying to save Harry 
because of a life debt he owed him. That's fulfilling a vow, and on 
top of it all, it serves to make Snape feel better. 

Not compassion.

Next -- at the end of HBP, which you mentioned in another post. Snape 
yells at the DEs to leave Potter for LV, right?

Stop it, Severus! I can't take that much compassion... No, seriously. 
Until we know beyond any doubt what Snape's role was in that book, 
and whether he's only acting the DE here, I will not pass judgment. 
Besides, strictly speaking, Snape does not save Harry 's life -- the 
DE is 'only' using the Cruciatus  Curse.

 
Now, the Shrieking Shack.
Possibility #1:
Snape sees the map in Lupin's office, thinking, oh SH*T, look at that 
%#$#@ Potter-brat and his %$#& friends -- got themselves caught by 
Black, and that traitor Lupin! Now *I* need to go save them! Curse 
the day that little moron showed his bespectacled mug here! *runs to 
the WW, foaming and cussing all the way*

Act of compassion? Maybe. Mostly an act of duty, being that he's a 
teacher and thus responsible for the welfare of the kids. Personally 
I don't think he'd bat an eyelash if Harry got seriously hurt.

Since Snape's behavior upon entering the Shack clearly denotes that 
glee over catching Black and Lupin is his current ruling sentiment, 
saving the kids becomes merely a side effect (if a rather positive 
one; Order of Merlin, anyone?) So, possibility # 2 seems more likely:

Snape sees the map, thinking, HA! I knew it! Gotcha, Black -- and you 
too, Lupin! Damn that Potter, he's there too... hope he won't get in 
my way, what with his stupidity and all. *runs to the WW, grinning 
madly*

SO not compassionate.


Leslie41:
> There are many others.  Merely refusing to grant Umbridge the 
> veritaserum, for example. 

Lanval:  
What? I was under the impression that he gave it to her, and she 
tried to use it on Harry -- and when she wanted more, he said there 
wasn't any.

Perhaps I'm overlooking something?


> 
> 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.

Lanval:
Then that was a misunderstanding on my part. I thought you really 
were saying that J & S were to blame for Snape's decison. Sorry.