Why we'll get no further revelations that Snape is Really Evil (even if he is)

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 169754

> Sherry now:
> I actually agree with you, and I disagree.  I don't think we'll get,
> and I hope we don't get chapter upon chapter of Snape's back story. 
> The several chapters about Tom Riddle in HBP were the points of the 
> book that put me to sleep every time.  I hope we are not treated to 
> another flood of *any* character's back story.  I thought that some 
> years ago, after POA I think, someone asked JKR if she would give us
> more back story on the Marauders, and she said no, not much, because
> it's Harry's story she's writing, not the adult characters'
> stories.  I suppose we'll have to get some information about Snape,
> but I hope it's brief, told in few words and doesn't take up much 
> book space. 

Jen:  I agree with your sentiment in general, Sherry, but did find 
the backstory about Riddle compelling for understanding how he 
transformed into Voldemort and became the person he was, someone 
completely entwined in Harry's life by his own choices and someone 
Harry needed to understand and move past in order to meet him on his 
own terms.  Likewise Snape is someone entwined in Harry's life by his 
own choices and a person Harry also needs to put in perspective and 
grow beyond.  Learning information about Snape's past can help 
humanize him, I think, even if some of what he learns doesn't end up 
making Snape look like a better person.  Voldemort was humanized a 
bit in Harry's eyes when he learned of his beginnings.
 
wynnleaf:
> But we're almost certain that JKR is in fact going to produce some
> revelations about Snape. Why do we need *any* revelations about
> Snape if they are only to convince us that he's just as bad as 
> killing Dumbledore would lead one to believe? JKR doesn't need 
> those revelations about Snape if he's really evil. She only needs 
> revelations about Snape if she's got to change the opinion of her
> characters -- which is currently that he's an evil, murdering
> traitor.

Jen:  I don't think any additional revelations would be important for 
learning Snape is evil, but they could be important for Harry to 
learn who Snape is and what his motivations are.  What it really 
comes down to for me is not believing proof of Snape's loyalty could 
possibly be enough to turn Harry's heart.  A person learns about 
love, forgiveness and mercy from those capable of expressing similar 
feelings and concepts, so not matter what Harry knows Snape has done 
or will find out about, it's the backstory of Dumbledore, and more 
importantly Lily, which I believe will teach Harry to open his eyes 
and heart. 

  
wynnleaf:
> The huge interest in Why Dumbledore Trusted Snape is almost
> certainly going to be addressed. Why will JKR address this? Will it
> be so we can all learn that Dumbledore was wrong to trust Snape?
> Really? If Snape is really evil, we already learned that in HBP. Do
> we really need to learn that all over again? Harry certainly 
> believes that Dumbledore's trust was misplaced. Why would JKR
> produce the Reason Dumbledore Trusted Snape, just so Harry can 
> say, "Wow, Dumbledore really was foolish after all -- just like I 
> already thought." No, the only reason to find out why Dumbledore 
> trusted Snape is to find out that Snape was trustworthy.

Jen:  Harry does deserve an explanation for why Dumbledore trusted 
Snape enough to clear him as a DE, to allow him to teach at Hogwarts 
and to let him become a part of Harry's life while knowing Snape 
turned over the propehcy and would likely turn his hatred of James 
onto Harry, especially once Harry arrived at Hogwarts and looked just 
like his dad. 
 
Then, when Harry understands why Dumbledore chose to trust Snape and 
why it was critical to give him a second chance, Harry still needs to 
come to peace with Snape on his own terms, imo.  Dumbledore's trust 
and Harry's trust are two different things.  Dumbledore trusted Snape 
because he believed him trustworthy, but Snape's actions did not 
affect Dumbledore's life as they have Harry's.  

Jen