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

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 183830

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "mesmer44" <winterfell7 at ...> wrote:
>
> > 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?)

Geoff:
I think you choose to overlook the reason...

'Snape raised his eyebrows and his tone was sardonic as he asked "Are 
you intending to let him kill you?"
"Certainly not. You must kill me."
.... 
"If you don't  mind dying, said Snape roughly, "why not let Draco do it?"
"That boy's soul is not yet so damaged," said Dumbledore, "I would not 
have it ripped apart on my account."
"And my soul, Dumbledore? Mine?"
"You alone know whether it will harm your soul to help an old man avoid 
pain and humiliation," said  Dumbledore. "I ask this one, great favour of 
you, Severus, because death is coming for me....... I confess I should prefer 
a quick painless exit to the protracted, messy affair it will be if, for instance, 
Greyback is involved..... Or dear Bellatrix...."
...
At last Snape gave another curt nod.
Dumbledore seemed satisfied.
"Thank you Severus..."'
(DH "The Prince's Tale"  from p.548 UK edition)

Dumbledore has effectively manoeuvred Snape into vowing to kill him and 
expressed a wish for a quick and painless exit.

Right. As Snape, how would you fulfil that vow without using Avada Kedavra 
or any Unforgiveable?

Sectumsempra perhaps? Let Dumbledore bleed to death? He is effectively 
giving a last helping and loving(?) hand to someone who has been a helper 
and mentor.

Harry hasn't actually tried to use a killing curse, only lesser Unforgiveables 
but I, for one, do not crucify him for that. He is impetuous, inexperienced 
and in a "There, but for the grace of God go I" situation. I can forgive them 
both.

No person operates without inconsistencies; if we each examine ourselves, 
we can see places where our responses to similar events have differed widely 
because our reactions - often the emotional ones - have been triggered by 
variable sets of stimuli: cold blood, the eheat of the moment, anger, sympathy, 
sadness; the list is endless.