Lupin and Snape in book 7 WAS: Re: CHAPDISC: DH11, The Bribe

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 180559

> Sherry now:
> Though I knew Lupin was weak, I never had despised him till this 
chapter.
> It really changed my whole impression of Lupin.  I had stopped 
wanting him
> to step into the surrogate parent role to Harry a couple books ago, 
but
> after this scene, I was truly thankful.  His poor-poor-pitiful-me 
act
> finally went too far for me, and apparently for Harry. <SNIP.

Alla:

Pippin, I am going to try and respond to your wonderful questions 
later on as well, but I just have to ask, since I do not believe I 
asked you yet.

You lost a bet on ESE!Lupin, just as I lost a bet on Evil Snape, but 
I have a very strong hunch that you were happy with portrayal of 
Lupin in book 7 anyways. Am I correct or not?

The reason I am asking is because just as Sherry does, I do not find 
portrayal of Lupin in book 7 to be very sympathetic at all and I am 
guessing you will be happy with it.

Another reason I am asking is because if I am right, it is very 
interesting how JKR would manage to satisfy both of us with basically 
going to absolutely opposite end than what we thought about those 
characters. I am of course only making an assumption Pippin, if I am 
wrong, just tell me :)

I said it many times, but I will say it again - I am **incredibly** 
pleased with the way Snape's arc ended. It is honest to goodness 
truth. Oh yes, I have to give Snape's due for his heroic fight 
against Voldemort, but I do not feel pressed in the least to give him 
respect as a "person", not at all.

Whether his love for Lily was completely possessive or not, I see 
enough possessive feel to it to dislike it. Every time I read this 
scene where he tears the picture apart, I want to slap him.

Whether Snape protected Harry or not, his answer to Dumbledore and 
JKR's interviews that he hated Harry to his very end is enough for me 
to despise him for hating a child whom he hurt so badly, etc.

So yeah I can imagine tons of scenarios where JKR could have portray 
Snape whom I would be forced to respect more as "person" and she went 
with that one. One thing she would have shown - that he did not hate 
Harry or at least changed his view and admitted that he was wrong, 
but she did not, not in my opinion. AND I think I still may have 
liked her writing, heheh, but anyways, I am very happy.

Anyways, back to Lupin. I was not shocked by his portrayal as Sherry 
was, I thought that it was totally IC - but his poor me act got to me 
as well, for sure.

AND JKR for sure upped it enough for me wanting to slap him surely.

Heeee, personally I think that if we go with Lupin not loving Tonks 
it would be the MOST sympathetic explanation I can come up.

I do think though that if we go with adults having to take a second 
seat to the ride and kids front stage, Lupin's portrayal was the most 
succesful and consistent reasoning wise. Nicely done JKR :)

JMO,

Alla