Killing Snape (was Re: Snape and Dumbledore on the Tower: A Defense of Snape)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 165438

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > <snip>
> > If Snape *did* murder Dumbledore, he did so because Dumbledore   
> > told him to do so.
> > Just as the gothic maiden was raped by the villain and didn't
> > *choose* to serve his evil lusts, Snape murdered because of      
> > another's will. However, based on the moral rules of the tale,   
> > just as the maiden's stolen virtue will never be restored in this 
> > life, Snape will never be clean until he dies. So in killing      
> > them, the author is actually being merciful.
> > Do I *like* that view point? No. But it's a familiar trope and one
> > I think JKR would play.
> > <snip>

> >>Carol:
> <snip>
> But with regard to the supposed necessity for his death to cleanse
> him, I, too, hope that you're wrong. Just because it's a familiar
> trope doesn't mean that JKR will use it, and we need to remember   
> that she's a Christian.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Ah, but this is a Christian trope.  A very old-fashioned one, but one 
none the less.  So that's actually part of the reason I'm a bit 
worried. <g>

> >>Carol:
> <snip>
> If JKR can accomplish that, she can certainly find a way for Snape 
> to survive. If God can forgive the sin of murder in the Christian   
> religion (and perhaps others I'm unfamiliar with), then Harry can   
> forgive Snape and Snape can forgive himself--and live a productive 
> life after being forgiven.

Betsy Hp:
But it's not really about forgiveness, either.  I fully expect Harry 
to see and understand the "true" Snape by book's end.  And I'm 
betting that Harry's clarity will translate into clarity for the rest 
of the WW.  (Or at least those that matter.)

No, it's more about carrying around a burden, I guess.  Just as the 
innocent maiden has had her innocence ripped from her and will 
forever suffer the wound, Snape will forever suffer from the 
knowledge that he murdered.  Only  death (the embrace of heaven) can 
end that pain.

> >>Carol:
> <snip>
> Mad-Eye Moody has killed, too, apparently (Evan Rosier, certainly,  
> and perhaps Wilkes, who is also dead), and yet we don't see him    
> atoning for these necessary killings. In fact, I see no evidence to 
> support your idea that "only death will cleanse" a the soul of a    
> sinner, especially, a *repentant* soul.
> <snip>
> But death for Snape for doing what Dumbledore wanted him to
> do, saving Draco and Harry and getting the DEs out of Hogwarts and
> (presumably) helping to bring Voldemort down? I can't see JKR doing
> that any more than I can see her killing off Harry.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Yeah... Mad-Eye is the only hope I can cling to. <g>  Unfortunately, 
he more killed in the line of duty (while trying really hard not to) 
rather than out and out murdering someone.  And that there is no 
other good guy who's killed that we know of is part of what worries 
me.  That JKR has created this line that can never be crossed.

It's why we've had so many discussions about whether or not 
Dumbledore killed, and whether or not Harry will kill, I think.  And 
then there's Snape who, if it was an actual AK, just full out 
murdered Dumbledore.  So I do worry that JKR will see killing Snape 
as a move of mercy.  Better him dead and blessed than alive and 
wounded.

Betsy Hp