Characters' inconsistencies WAS: Re:What did you like about Harry Potter?

[mesmer44]

No: HPFGUIDX 183819

> Carol responds:
> <snip>
> His being a valued member of OoP and killing its leader is not an
> inconsistency but an irony which, unfortunately, cannot be revealed
to
> the other members, who must continue to believe that he's
Voldemort's
> loyal servant. That he treated Harry badly (I wouldn't say
> terribly--Harry suffered no lasting damage from either his sarcasm
or
> his detentions, in contrast to the scar that Umbridge's cruel quill
> left on his hand) and protected him at the same time is also an
irony <snip>

Winterfell replies:

Actually it is by definition both an irony and an inconsistency.  An
inconsistency is : displaying or marked by a lack of consistency,
especially not regular or predictable, erratic: inconsistent
behavior.  Snape's actions (untill the noble reasons we find out
about were later discovered) in AK'ing DD were not viewed as regular
or predictable as a member of the OotP and as a trusted friend and
colleague of DD. So they were inconsistent with his connection to
DD.  Also, incidently, for those who crucify Harry for using Crucio
and Imperius spells, I haven't heard too many people after reading DH
who criticized Snape for using the AK curse.  It seems to be
inconsistent to criticize Harry and not Snape.  They both used
Unforgiveable Curses didn't they? Or would that be ironic?  Oh yes,
Snape's was for a good reason, that's right.  (And Harry's wasn't?)

As for Snape's behavior not being terrible or having lasting effects
on Harry, what about Snape's behavior during occlumency lessons? His
treatment of Harry during those lessons, bad or whatever, was a key
reason for Harry not learning occlumency and the main reason LV was
able to put the images of Sirius's capture in his head.  I'd say the
consequences for Harry were quite lasting.  True, it was a very
necessary plot device by JKR, but nonetheless it was Snape's bad
behavior that was the catalist for Harry's future actions.

> <snip>
Carol continues:

> Now if Snape had suddenly cheered for Gryffindor or awarded Hermione
> twenty points for a clever answer or behaved in a friendly way to
> Sirius Black, he'd have been inconsistent. Instead, he's an amazing
> character, I would even say, a *great* character, with all due
credit
> to JKR for her creation, in a series that is not otherwise a
literary
> masterpiece.
> <snip>

Winterfell:

Here, if Snape had done what Carol suggested, it would more
accurately be ironic, as irony is defined as an incongruity between
what might be expected and what actually occurs.  If Snape had
cheered for Gryffindor or awarded Hermione 20 points for a clever
answer, or especially been friendly to Sirius....it would really be
unexpected wouldn't it?