Snape's Role

[teddyb142002]

No: HPFGUIDX 176474

>
> allthecoolnamesgone:
> Even some of his other behaviour is capable of other interpretations
> if it is re-examined. I don't think Snape was aware of how bad a
> childhood Harry had had and he could only see the face of the boy who
> had bullied him at age 11 and remember all that that led to. He
> should have been able to rise above that and be a professional
> teacher but he couldn't, that too is part of his tragedy. Many
> teachers I had when I was young were unpleasant. He was not a 'nice'
> person but he did the job he had been given, to protect Harry from
> harm and be a Spy for the Order. The Spy role 'locked' him into his
> cover story as there were other DE's such as Lucius Malfoy still
> watching how he behaved and to have 'turned' totally to the 'light'
> would have destroyed any hope of a return to 'Active Service'
> undercover at the end of GoF.

 Ted:
I totally agree with that there are many ways to interpret many of
Snape's behaviors.  It would be awfully hard to be kind to the son of
your most despised enemy.  Even more so if the mother was the woman
you loved and lost.  Harry's behavior toward Snape certainly didn't
make it any easier.  Both Harry and Ron learned with Kreacher that
sometimes you reap what you sow when you treat people badly.

It is also certainly necessary for Snape to keep up his image with the
death eaters as well, but I never got the feeling that Snape truly got
past his own selfishness and bitterness toward James and Harry.
That's what makes it hard for me to see Snape heroically.  Still, I
agree with many of your points.  I also think that Snape, more than
any other character, helps demonstrate the power of love in this story.

Ted