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

[Mike]

No: HPFGUIDX 187564

> Julie:
> In the scenes between Dumbledore and YoungAdult!Snape in
> DH, I was never bothered by Snape's lack of concern for
> James and Harry, for exactly the reason you outline above.

> <snip>
> The fact that he doesn't care also makes sense to me, as Snape
> is a willing DE, so it's reasonable that his change of heart in
> general wil take place over a period of time, rather than as
> some sudden epiphany.

Mike (after a long respite):

Add me to the list of those that doesn't mind that Snape didn't or wasn't going to ask DD to save James and Harry. It would have been sooo out of character for him to have done so. Especially considering how not-so-far-removed we are from Snape's Hogwarts days and being hung upside down by James. And he's a DE at that very moment, despite his imminent change of heart about LV. Besides, Snape disgusts me enough for having joined the DEs in the first place, any other minor lack of etiquette is not going to change my opinion of him.



> > Montavilla47:
> > 
> > <snip>
> > 
> > Of course, that's my feeling on the subject.  It's pretty
> > obvious that we're meant to share Dumbledore's disgust
> > about Snape's indifference to James and Harry.  And, 
> > considering Dumbledore's indifference to the hundreds
> > or thousands that might have died while Harry enjoyed 
> > a blythe childhood at Hogwarts, that's pretty ironic.
> > 
> 
> Julie:
> 
> What bothered me was Dumbledore's response. In every other 
> confrontation with anyone acting on the "bad" side--Draco,
> Voldemort/Tom, Lucius, Fudge, Umbridge, the Dursleys, etc--
> Dumbledore delivers his condemnations in soft-spoken tones, 
> using gentle admonishments to make his points and attempt
> to alter behavior or attitudes. 
> <snip>
> 
> I agree that Dumbledore's open disgust was intended for the
> readers to share, though I think JKR could have achieved the
> same while leaving Dumbledore in character. 

Mike:

Though I don't disagree with either Zara's or Carol's take on this matter, I'm going to add my angle. I think that DD's attitude was also meant to convey his frustration and downright fear for what had been going on for lo these past 15 years or so. His order members are getting picked off one-by-one, he hasn't been able to draw a bead on Tom Riddle, other people are disappearing and/or dying, the Ministry hasn't got a clue and he doesn't trust himself to step in and run the show for them. In short, his fuse is short.

I don't think DD necessarily believes in Divination and only barely tolerates those that practice it and their outputs - read, prophecies. I'm with Alla on this one, I think Sibyll's prophecy would have died on the vine had it not been acted upon. Now, here comes that little whipper-snapper Snape, the knucklehead that took that prophecy to LV and has basically caused it to be activated. Great, just what he needs at this time, a family to hide and two Order members put out of commission, like he's got a lot of 'em to spare.

So, what does this guy want? Well, it's pretty obvious to me, and I think Dumbledore, that Snape is only interested in the girl. The married, with child girl, btw. Ya know, with all his troubles going on, I can see how Snape presenting him with one more woe and then asking him to only protect the wife and mother would push DD over the limit. He's just had it and he lashes out with some pent up anger and disgust at both Snape's personnage and the implication of his request. 


> 
> Julie, still not sure why JKR had Dumbledore treat Snape so
> differently than he did anyone else in the books.


Mike, taking a view from inside the story, wishing that DD had turned Snape into the jackass he was acting right then and there and be done with him. He could have then given jackass!Snape to the Potters and Sev would have been with his precious Lily from then on!
;)