Come on folks (response to several criticisms)

[nitalynx]

No: HPFGUIDX 173515


Annemehr wrote:

> She doesn't understand him.  Or deserve him.  
<SNIP>


Then, Julie wrote:

<SNIP>  
> Finally, Snape and all the other characters are JKR's. SHE CREATED 
THEM.
> To say that she doesn't *deserve* them or *understand* them is the
height  of
> unfairness, IMO.
<SNIP>

Now, Nita responds:

Well, I think both points of view are valid, actually :)

About authors not understanding their characters... Characters are
usually based on writers' observations and understanding of people,
right? And we can only directly observe the appearance and behaviour
of others, not their psychology or motivations. So, just like you can
draw a convincing portrait without understanding facial anatomy, it's
possible to write a character that behaves realistically without
realizing the necessary motives for such behaviour.

I don't know much about writing, but in visual arts problems with
anatomy and perspective can detract from the impact of the work, even
if the idea, the composition and the colours are wonderful. So,
imagine you've been drawing a character's profile in various settings,
with great results. People admire your talent and fall in love with
the character. Then you draw a portrait from a different angle, and
some of your fans feel disappointed. The illusion doesn't work for
them any more.

After DH, Snape's character doesn't really work for me either. On one
hand, Lily seems to be very, very important to him since the age of
nine or less. He always knew she was Muggleborn. When he tells her
that it doesn't matter, it sounds like he's made his choice. Why on
earth would he join the anti-Muggleborn brigade while he still wanted
to be best friends (and more?) with her? When he comes to apologize,
it seems like he'd do anything for her forgiveness. And then... It
just doesn' t make sense to me, it feels artificial. Not at all like
the satisfying "click" of fitting puzzle pieces I expected from the
last book :/

So yes, Snape is hers, but he could be so much better (as a character)
that the feeling of lost potential takes away from the story.
Especially since the expectations were based on *her own* work.


Nita