Why did Snape call Lily a 'Mudblood'?

[meglet2]

No: HPFGUIDX 177586

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, sassynpink at ... wrote:
>
> Jen:
> I've got a question for a slow day: why *did* Snape call Lily a 
Mudblood?  Also, I'm curious how others read Snape's Worst Memory 
given his new memories in DH.  Did the resolution work for you?  I'm 
on the fence about this part.
> 
> Jules:
> 
> He was reacting like so many children, teens and adults do when 
hurt or angry. He lashed out with words that were hurtful, not 
necessarily what he felt. True, he had picked up the term from his DE 
cronies and had probably called other muggleborns by the term. But 
with Lily it was different. He loved her. Related it to "real" life. 
How many parents have heard their teen tell they (or probably 
yell) "I wish you were dead!" or "I hate you!"? Do they really hate 
their parents or wish they were dead? Probably (hopefully) not. But 
they are upset and lashing out. Do children really wish for the 
annoying sibling to get hit by a bus, fall off the fence or get bit 
by a dog? No, but when they are upset they will say what ever pops 
out first that conveys the hurt/anger they are feeling and lays it 
onto the other person.
> 
> Unfortunatly for Sev, it was probably the final straw in his 
crumbling relationship with Lily. She already didn't approve of his 
DE friends. She was upset by what DE students and people are judged 
by the company they keep. 
> 
> Jules

He was also a fifteen year old boy deeply and publically humiliated 
by his bitterest rival in front of the girl with whom he was 
obsessed. He knew James fancied Lily. He suspected that she wasn't as 
indifferent to James as she claimed. He couldn't outshine James in 
anything and now the one before whom he would want to appear cool and 
clever and skillful has to come to his aid. Of course he is going to 
repudiate her help in the most violent way he can think of. He 
wouldn't even want her to see him in that situation, let alone be the 
one to restrain his tormenter. So he hurts the one he loves in 
response to the hurt he feels. Not mature behaviour. But for me very 
believable in such an isolated and tormented boy. It would certainly 
be a bitter memory for him and one he would want to conceal from 
Harry. But surely the memory of Lily's death and his part in it in 
relaying the prophecy to Voldemort must rank as his *worst* memory. 

Mercia