Snape is still Evil? [HPforGrownups] Deathly Hallows: My Review (SPOILERS!)

[doliesl at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 172342

Ali:
I think I might well get some strong contentions on this opinion, but that's
just how it is.  JKR has yet proven to me that Snape isn't evil.  In fact,
while I always thought Snape wasn't good, I never even thought Snape was
evil *until* this book.  Let me explain that one before I get buried under
the flames.

Before DH, Snape was a man who stood for something.  He did what he wanted
and didn't worry about what others thought.  He wasn't nice, but his methods
had reason.  True, his teaching Neville was less than desirable, but I've
had teachers who've yelled and thought that served as motivation.  Snape
just wasn't evil; he was just awful and mean - he exemplifies Sirius' remark
that the world isn't divided between good guys and Death Eaters.  In DH, he
was a guy who always went after the dark arts, wanted to be a Death Eater
from very early on; he was someone who chose that over his friend
Lily.  (And don't even get me started on how much I dislike Snape-Lily.)  In
the end, I feel like JKR wanted me to believe that "Snape turned good for
the love of a woman," but what I felt was that this man decide to *switch
sides* for his own purposes.  He didn't turn good; he bargained with
Voldemort to save Lily first.  Had it worked out that Lily was saved, I
doubt that Snape would've worked for Dumbledore.  Working for good didn't
make him any less evil.  Pah.  (Yes, start sending the flames my way.  I
accept that my view is entirely unpopular.)

D:
Your view would be unpopular because you brush off entirely comes after in canon, everything what Dumbledore's backstory brought about and the themes running in the series, and how causally you throw the word 'evil' around.

Lily being target was Snape's final wake up call. Kind of like when Draco found himself unable to kill Dumbledore, there's a 'line' some people are unable to cross. Snape realized the dark reality and even though he already begged Voldemort for sparing Lily, his conscience still led him to seek out Dumbledore. He didn't ask for anything in return, except he'd "do anything". When the Sirius/Peter's switching plan fail, Snape wanted to die, but Dumbledore pull him around and use his to do good (to protect Harry, to spy)  instead of having Snape self-destructed or consumed by vengence. 

How "evil" is a man who feel remorse and willing to work the rest of his life for atonement?  The "Snape is EVIL" people tend to ignore what comes after - the memories showed us a Snape who grow from having Lily's death as a side-switching wake up call and guilt/love as motivation, to an agent who ultimately worked for the great good.

I've heard all these 'for his own purposes only', 'selfish' readings on Snape. But let me ask you what would Snape gain for personal purpose by saving all those people they mention while undercover?  What would he gain by trying to save Lupin?  Dumbledore specified him not to do anything that will give him away during the ambush, yet he chose to save Lupin on his own...he had no fondness for Lupin nor it's related Lily in any way. He just did it naturally because it was the right thing, not for gloat nor gratitude. When Dumbledore was cursed by the ring, Snape was genuinely angry. He felt the same revulsion and hatred as Harry when being asked to kill Dumbledore. Again all these are unrelated to Lily nor any of his 'personal purpose."  You're ignoring these 'saving people, doing the right thing' part of Snape.

And ultimately, everything Snape's risk for, he gain nothing...Lily's not coming back. Other than working out Dumbledore's plan to aid Harry in defeating Voldemort.  That being his life goal and reason to live. He gained no friend nor gratitude from neither side as a spy. Dumbledore was his sole
confidant. He's being scorn by the same side he worked for, but he endured it all. He isn't afraid of death. That is 'evil' in your eye?  I'd just say you're determine to see what  you want to see. At least I agree with JKR, and Harry, that Snape is the bravest man. 

D.






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