Connections Interview re: Snape (1999)

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 171511

I know, this quote has been rehashed to death. <g>  I never heard the 
audio for this particular interview until tonight and had a thought 
about how JKR answers the question.  Link:

http://www.accio-quote.org/themes/book7-commentary.html
(12th question down the page)

Something struck me when I heard JKR's voice, something I'd never 
picked up on while reading the quote.  First off, it sounds like she 
*is* referring back to the question from the correspondent and not 
what comes after, imo.  Here it is:  "Lydon: Er - one of our connec-
 ... one of our internet correspondents wondered if Snape is going to 
fall in love?"

I wondered if JKR was referring back to Snape's *ability* to fall in 
love there, expressing her surprise someone sees him as a person who 
could fall in love, who would be willing and able to open his heart 
to another person after he returns to Dumbledore.  With everything 
he's seen and done, his work as a double agent, and most notably, as 
someone who represses emotions in order to be a superb Occlumens**, 
JKR might not think of Snape as someone interested in or capable of 
loving another person as an adult. (The question is asked of the 
future and not the past.)  

This ties into something else, i.e., the run across the grounds: 
Snape tells Harry to learn to close his mind, the opposite of what 
Dumbledore believes is Harry's strength.  I'm pretty sure Snape is 
attempting to give Harry advice, information that's worked for Snape 
in his own life.  But it also speaks to what Snape values:  That 
magical power (perhaps all power?) springs from the element of 
surprise and the ability to shield yourself and your intent from 
others.  In Snape's mind, Harry can only be successful if he learns 
to value the same skills Snape does (my interpretation).   

My point is, JKR seems to be highlighting the differences between the 
two at that moment, summarizing Snape's views and contrasting them 
with Dumbledore's beliefs about Harry only a few chapters before.  
And Harry *is* someone who has the 'ability to love' according to 
Dumbledore.  What if that's something Snape has lost, the price he's 
paid to stay alive and live the life of a double agent??  I'm not 
sure what, if anything, this would have to do with the plot, but 
perhaps there's some meaning for Snape's final characterization if 
true.

Jen

**Referring to 2005 TLC/MN interview when JKR said: "...but I think 
Draco would be very gifted in Occlumency, unlike Harry.  Harry's 
problem with it was always that his emotions were too near the 
surface and that he is in some ways too damaged.  But he's also very 
in touch with his feelings about what's happened to him.  He's not 
repressed, he's quite honest about facing them, and he couldn't 
suppress them, he couldn't suppress these memories."