Harry's detention in HBP

[jmwcfo]

No: HPFGUIDX 168337

> > Carol responds:
> > 
> > I'm aware that JKR has said in an interview that Snape is a very
> > sadistic teacher, 

> 
> Pippin:
> Actually, I think we end up with a nobler Snape if he *is* sadistic.
> First of all, we have to be talking about DDM!Snape here, because
> there's no suggestion by anybody that a Snape who  deliberately
> betrayed Dumbledore for his own or Voldemort's ends is noble
> in any way.
> 
> It's immediately
> clear that this Snape could treat Harry a whole lot worse and get 
away
> with it. Not only does Dumbledore trust him completely, there are
> other teachers whose punishments are harsher (McGonagall and
> Moody), whose classroom methods are scarier (ditto) and who 
> show far more blatant favoritism (Slughorn and Lockhart.) 
> 
> Sadist!Snape, despite his  personal inclinations, is being more
> egalitarian and more protective of his students than the WW requires
> him to be. That is self-sacrificing, magnanimous and therefore 
noble.
> 
> Pippin


JW:
It is said that there are three ways to conduct a debate: disagree 
over assumptions; disagree over logic; and sling mud.  Pippin, my 
intent is to utilize only the first two ways.

First, I do not understand how a sadistic personality could be more 
noble than a non-sadistic personality.  Does this mean that the level 
of nobility is proportionate to the level of sadism? Would this mean 
that the two most noble RL people of the 20th century were Hitler and 
Stalin?  I must be completely misunderstanding your point.

Further, I do not see how Snape can possibly treat Harry worse.  For 
example, on more than one occasion SS has demanded that HP be 
expelled, only to be over-ruled by DD or MM.

Finally, SS is anything but egalitarian.  The books are filled with 
instances during which Snape obviously favors Slytherins over all 
other atudents, especially Gryffs.  Similarly, I am at a loss to find 
him treating any non-Slytherin with generosity, courtesy or nobility.

I would also disagree with the logic behind your comparisons of Snape 
to other professors.  MM seems to be tough but fair and 
compassionate, and protects Gryffs against the worst of Snape's 
outrages.  Professor Moody is a sadistic killer in disguise.  
Lockhart is an incompetent fraud, and a criminal for his treatment of 
other wizards.  Slughorn's faults are relatively mild, being merely a 
manipulator and politician (in the broad sense, not as a holder of 
public office).

Again, I know that I could be completely off base if I am 
misinterpreting your points, so I would welcome further information.