Will the Real Severus Snape please step forward?

[juli17 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 167683

 


Goddlefrood: 
> When he taught Harry Occlumency in OotP he didn't  give any 
> practical instruction, he once more just expected Harry to  do it, 
> again without explaining how it might be achieved. There was  also 
> an element of Severus's resentment of Harry in play, but surely  
> he could have tried a little harder, or am I being  harsh?

Magpie:
Again, this seems to be the way *all* magic is  taught. And in this 
case Snape was perhaps a particularly bad teacher  because he is 
probably, like Draco, a natural Occlumens.  Sometimes  the natural is 
the worst kind of teacher. He is telling Harry what to do,  and Harry 
is particularly unsuited to do this particular thing. But I  don't 
think it's impossible that Snape is teaching Harry the way he  
himself learned. He's no more or less harsh than the Apparition  
teacher, it seems to me. 


Julie:
As Magpie says, all the magic we see being taught is basically  learning
by experiencing. Probably because it is at least partly a physical  activity,
like learning to ride a bicycle, or learning to swim. Sure there are  
principles
behind it, but very rarely does an instructor explain the physics or  
mechanics
of bicycling or swimming, at least not beyond the very basics. You learn  by
jumping in (or on) and trying, and by practicing over and over  until you get 
it
right. Which is why Snape's methods aren't really different than any  other
magical instruction. "Picture your happiest moment" (then try and  produce
a patronus), "Clear your mind" (and try to block me when I mentally  invade
your mind), "Focus your energy" (and turn that teapot into a  toad).There
is rarely more than a brief instruction. Mostly it's just try,  try, and try 
again.
 
Julie 



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