[HPforGrownups] Re: Snape, a Deatheater who assists suicide?.

[elfundeb]

No: HPFGUIDX 164067

 Lilygale wrote:

By lifting the stopper on death, is one actively committing suicide,
or just letting nature take its course? I am of the opinion that,
in the Potterverse, when Snape unstoppers Dumbledore's death on the
tower upon Dumbledore's request, the men are letting the damage done
by the Horcrux take its natural and final course. It is not suicide
because, but Dumbledore is not actively choosing death. The death
has already happened. He is using his death (he is *already dead*)
to help Harry and Draco, and to defeat LV.

Another question about suicide: was drinking the potion in the cave
an act of suicide? Or an act of bravery committed during wartime.
Again, I don't think Dumbledore acted suicidally any more than a
soldier, fighting in a war, can be said to be suicidal.


Debbie:
My view is the same regardless of whether Dumbledore was dying -- either
before or after drinking the potion in the cave or begging Severus.
Dumbledore's death was a sacrifice, not a suicide.  Dumbledore always looks
at the very big picture, not at episodes as ends in themselves.  He
understands that victory against Voldemort cannot come through him, and he
understands that the critical actors (Harry and Snape but especially Harry)
will not fully understand themselves as long as he is around.

Snape's arrival on the Tower backs Dumbledore (and Snape) into a corner.  (I
believe that the potion in the cave weakened Dumbledore but that he probably
could have been saved with effective magical medical assisance.)  There is a
way to spring Snape (who is needed to help Harry) from the trap but
Dumbledore must sacrifice himself to make it work.  Accordingly, he asks
Severus to do the deed.

I don't see this as any different than if the HP cast was on a boat and
there was a fire in the engine room, threatening to spread to the entire
ship.  The ship's only hope is if the engine room door is closed to contain
the fire, but closing the door would doom the crew members in the room.  If
the crew member (say it was the captain) begged the next ranking officer to
close the door, killing the captain but saving the ship, would that be
suicide?  I think not, whether or not the captain was already dying.

In other words, I give Dumbledore 150 points for cunning, resourcefulness,
and above all, patience and fortitude.

Debbie




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