DH Thoughts

[sdeepthi]

No: HPFGUIDX 172520

lupinlore:
> SNAPE:
<snip>
> in the end he was, after all, driven by his own ends and needs. He
> wanted a way to escape the crushing emotional burden placed on him by
> his unrequited love for Lily and her death. By working to keep Harry
> alive and defeat Voldemort he at least aimed in that direction. But
> he did not love or respect or value Harry for the boy's own sake, as
> he makes clear. 

Deepthi:
Working to keep Harry alive, far from relieving his burden, kept it intact.
Every time he looked at Harry, he was reminded of Lily.
The fact that he did not love or respect Harry makes it _more_ admirable 
that he risked his own life for him, not less. And are we here not expecting
more out of Snape that out of Harry? It is perfectly acceptable for Harry to hate 
Snape, but it is not acceptable for Snape to hate the son of the man who
humiliated him in front of the whole school?

lupinlore:
> Nor did he love Dumbledore like a father or regard
> him as an avatar of goodness who could lead him to moral redemption.
> 
Deepthi:
Snape achieved his redemption the minute he decided to work against LV after Lily's 
death. We don't see any evidence of him ever having cold feet about his role as spy.

lupinlore:
> 
> The "business" aspect of their relationship explains a great deal,
> particularly with regard to Dumbledore's attitude and action. Snape
> was, at the end of the day, a servant. 
Deepthi:
Dumbledore doesn't think in terms of servants. He's the one who thinks that house-elves 
out to be treated with respect and kindness. If Snape was a servant, Harry was equally a 
servant.

lupinlore:
<snipped a lot here>
> Dumbledore's final words
> on the subject (paraphrasing wildly): "Poor Severus, the plan didn't
> work out well for him. Oh well, too bad. Now, let me get back to
> telling you what a wonderful person you are, Harry!"
> 
Deepthi:
It wasn't like that. After talking about Snape, they sit in silence "for the longest time yet", 
and when they talk again, it is about what needs to be done next.

lupinlore:
> I don't see Dumbledore as a kindly mentor who regards
> Snape as a substitute son. In the end many readers love Snape. I
> don't think Dumbledore does.  And thus, when it is necessary to
> defeat Voldemort, and as importantly to save the young man he DOES
> love, he sends Snape to his death.  I think he acts regretfully, he
> acts with pity, but if anybody has to die to defeat the Dark Lord, he
> would much rather it be Snape than Harry.  And I think that, in
> truth, is where justice lies, as well as irony.  That it was Snape,
> rather than Harry, who was most clearly being set up as a pig for
> slaughter was ... delicious.
> 

Deepthi:
But Dumbledore intended Snape to end up as the master of the Elder Wand. And that 
means that he didn't intend him to die, he intended him to keep the Elder Wand out of LV's 
hands so that Harry doesn't have to face that in the final battle.

lupinlore:
> 
> HARRY'S QUESTIONABLE ACTIVITIES:  I counted three Imperios, a Crucio,
> and a probably AK from Molly.  
> 
Deepthi:
Yeah, the unforgivable curses from Harry were sad. Getting to Molly, how else was she 
supposed to get rid of Bellatrix? It is self-defence, not everyone can get AK's to rebound 
using Expelliarmus. It was unavoidable for the good guys to have to kill sometimes.


Deepthi - who never liked Snape but found chapter 33 the most touching and convincing 
in DH.