Snape's memory

[va32h]

No: HPFGUIDX 164529

> montims:
> OK - maybe I need to take the books out *again*!  I was under the
> impression that while the memories are Snape's, the characters in the
> memories were NOT identified - where does Harry actually acknowledge
> that any of the persons were (or were not) Snape?  I may be wrong, but
> I thought that was misdirection - the reader assumes they are Snape,
> advancing in order of age,  but it is not specified, and I don't think
> we know who Harry recognised...
> 
> If I am wrong, I apologise for labouring this point, but I do think it
> is important - the memories flash by really quickly, and are then
> driven out of his mind - is the way I remember it...

va32h:

No, I don't think it is categorically stated that the child, boy, and 
teen in the memories are Snape, but I certainly think that is the 
impression we are supposed to have, and that Harry has. 

What would be Jo's motivation behind the misdirection? I guess that's 
my sticking point. I don't understand why Snape would need to have a 
wife and child introduced at this part of the story. So much has been 
made about his remorse having to do with the Potters that throwing in 
this wife/child business in book 7 just seems...unnecessary. We still 
don't have an adequate explanation of where the Potters fit into 
Snape's remorse without adding another motivation, is what I'm saying. 

I love, love, love, Carol's idea that the man is Snape's grandfather, 
not father. Her entire scenario with Snape's Muggle father abandoning 
them, a grandfather disliking Half-bloods, is not only plausible but 
brings a lot to my understanding of Snape. And the importance of good 
fathering seems to be a recurring theme in the series. 

I'm just not convinced that we need Snape to be a father, good or bad. 

va32h