Snape and redemption WAS: Re: Would Harry forgiving Snape be character

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 164247


> Alla:
> 
> I am not necessarily buying it because IMO JKR is quite clear now 
> that Draco is headed for redemption ( oh boy, did I just say that?) 
> and that implies for me that the story of redemption, the central 
> one **may be** the story of someone from Harry's generation.

Pippin:
Trouble is, if Snape was never redeemed, or his redemption didn't
stick, then there's no example of someone who was redeemed and
went on to live a useful life within the time frame of the story. 
Draco might redeem himself, but if Snape's redemption failed, 
then it's going to look like Draco's is doubtful. Of course JKR
could just tell us that  Draco never did anything evil again, but that
would be weak compared to Snape showing us and proving
to Harry that he redeemed himself. If Snape has been living
a useful if somewhat problematic life, then there's hope for
Draco. Otherwise, not so much.

The problem with Regulus is that he's dead. After raising the issue 
of how we can tell someone is genuinely remorseful, IMO it would be 
a cop out to have the only redemption scenario be a  Vader or Boromir
situation where the character died so promptly that no one had to 
worry about whether he might backslide.


Pippin