Harry and Snape's Salvation (Re: No progress for Slytherin?)

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 173919

Lupinlore:
> It seems clear to me that what JKR is getting at with her comments 
> is that Harry, as appropriate for a Christ-like figure, has 
> transcended much of what went before -- particularly he has 
> transcended and become superior to certain personalities.  He has
> moved beyond both Snape and Dumbledore.  Dumbledore says that he 
> has long known that Harry is a better man than he.  Harry is 
> becoming the true figure of forgiveness and light and compassion 
> that Dumbledore appeared to be but never really was.  If Harry were
> to be confronted with a living Snape, he would probably view him 
> with pity and compassion.

Jen:  Harry's appeal to me is he's just a regular guy who happened to 
be chosen by LV and everything that followed after that.  Moving past 
Snape and Dumbledore?  Yes, in a way, in the way most kids grow up to 
question those they idolized or hated as children, moving past the 
black/white cognitive abilities of a younger person and growing into 
an adult who sees the gray area.  

Re: compassion, the emotional state Harry feels most often in DH 
appears to be remorse.  The opposite of Voldemort for a reason.  He 
feels remorse for putting his friends in danger, for jilting Ginny, 
for goading Lupin...and that's all I remember up to about chap. 11 as 
I'm re-reading.  When he's not feeling remorse, which keeps him 
protected from LV opening the connection in return, Harry is seeking 
Truth.  He doesn't accept Dumbledore on faith anymore, choosing to 
just believe Doge and be done with it.  He says to Ron and Hermione 
in chap. 12, 'forget Dumbledore, this is my choice.' And finally, 
entering Snape's memories, he learns truth again and has accepted it 
by some years later. 

The story doesn't read as a Christian allegory to me even with 
religious elements about souls and afterlife(and tons I've missed no 
doubt); I'm seeing it more as a coming of age of a guy who doesn't 
have salvation to offer anyone.  Understanding, willingness to learn 
the truth, yes, but not salvation to give.  His Polyjuice Potion may 
turn gold but that doesn't keep his friends from rolling their eyes 
at him or Snape from loathing him, 'cause he's just a guy.  And 
Dumbledore saying Harry was always the better man, well, in 
Dumbledore's eyes he was!  Because Harry doesn't seek power, which is 
DD's flaw.  

Lupinlore: 
> So, in that sense, Harry could be a savior to Snape in that he
> offers an opportunity for salvation.  But, as shown in the scene
> where Snape reveals his patronus, the damage and bitterness and
> hate and cruelty run too deep for salvation.  Snape cannot find it
> within himself to embrace the salvation Harry represents, and thus
> it remains a door never opened.

Jen: And yet, that bitter person helped save Harry's life and defeat 
Voldemort, thus saving thousands of lives.  It seems like Snape would 
be a selfish to work on 'saving' himself when he can do more trying 
to help Harry rid the world of the current evil. 

Jen