Snape's Psychology: WAS: More thoughts on the Elder Wand subplot - Owner?

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 187488

> friendlyh:
> Can I hop in here? I have just finished re-reading the Deathly Hallows and have to take issue with Alla. 

Alla:

By all means :-) and welcome to the group! 

friendlyh:
Snape when he revealed the "part" of the prophecy that he heard to Voldemort did not know that it would refer to Lily and James. 

Alla:

That's right, he did not know that. How does him knowing that he gives up some unknown couple and their baby makes his conduct any better?

friedlyh:
At this time he was a Death Eater and as such was showing loyalty to his 'then' master.

Alla:

Indeed, he was a criminal and was showing loyalty to his master. I totally agree with that, I just disagree that this serves as any sort of mitigating circumstance of his conduct.

friendlyh:
When he learned who was involved he begged Voldemort to reconsider at risk to himself.

Alla:

Well, sure, he begged him to reconsider in part. Apparently even when he knew that James and Harry are the targets of Voldemort's attack he did not really care about two innocent lives. But sure, he wanted Lily to live. I completely agree with that, I just find that to be quite despicable.

friendlyh:
A person can only be sorry for something that they have done and try through future actions to make amends. He swore an oath to Dumbledore and kept it to the very end never waivering in his loyalty although he was always in great danger as a result. 

Alla:

Sure, I agree with that.

friendlyh:
He did protect Harry. He never physically abused Harry although his feelings for Harry's father definitely coloured his approach to him. He made life difficult but he was there on a number of occasions to protect him through his actions within the school. 

Alla:

I am afraid the fact that he did not abuse Harry physically does not earn him much praise from me. I do not disagree that he could have abused him more than he did, significantly more that is.

friendlyh:
He could have made life much more miserable - think Dolores Umbridge.

Alla:

Yes he could... He still gets no cookie  from me I am afraid. The extent to which he did make Harry's life hard is enough for me to despise him.

But sure he protected Harry's life untill Dumbledore told him not to, I agree with that.

friendlyh:
And last but not least Harry in the end named one of his sons after Severus Snape and that should be the strongest indication of redemption. To quote Harry "one of the bravest men I knew was a Slytherin"

Alla:

Well, yeah, Harry at the end is portrayed (IMO only of course) as all forgiving Christ like figure, I totally understand why he forgave Snape. JKR portrayed it the only way she could for me to actually swallow it.

And I do not dispute Snape's bravery in fight against Voldemort.

Pippin:
IMO, it would sound pretty immature and ungrateful for Harry to say, "I don't
care if Snape saved my life and my friends' lives more than once. He hurt my
feelings when I was in school and I'll never forgive him." It would mean that
Harry thought more of his feelings than his friends' lives.


Alla:

Well, then it is good that IMO Harry behaved Christ like and mature I guess :). Again as I always say I am being completely honest that the way she did it, I can buy it and admire the extent to which Harry can forgive people. However had he been portrayed less you know, self sacrificing and all, my reactions could have been quite different.

JMO,

Alla