@ride and prejudice and Snape redux

[montavilla47]

No: HPFGUIDX 187220

Alla:
> So one of many things I decided to do while on the island was rereading of Pride and prejudice and so I finished this pleasant chore yesterday. I thought initially to wait with posting this topic till I get home in a few days because I wanted to dig some old posts on our discussions of some specific anglesof this topic and respond to it. But then I changed my mind, I figured I could always introduce specific angle midthread if I would like to. Let's start with this - do you see many similarities if any between Darcy and Snape? Do you see any differences?
>
Montavilla47:

There are very obvious differences between Snape and Mr. 
Darcy.  Mr. Darcy is objectively handsome, while Snape is 
usually described with very unattractive features (which are 
subtly less unattractive in the second chapter of HBP).

Mr. Darcy is rich, and an aristocrat, while Snape is no better
than comfortable in a poor house.  

Mr. Darcy is a gentleman, while Snape is an academic and
a spy.

What I think they have in common is a tendency to speak
their mind without thinking about the effect their words 
may have on the feelings of others.  I would say they both
share a desire to correct their misdeeds, when they become
aware of them.  I suppose they both share a certain blindness
towards their own considerable faults.  And, they are both 
faithful in love.

Alla:
Did you see any potential similarities between Snape and Harry story and Elisa and Darcy story before DH? Do you still see it after DH? 

Montavilla47:
I saw a lot of similarities in the story.  So much so that 
they are almost the same story (with the obvious 
difference that neither Harry nor Snape ever *loves* the
other.)

1.
In P&P, Eliza overhears Mr. Darcy insulting herself and her
friends.  She takes a dislike to him based on this experience.

In HP, Harry is directly insulted by Snape.  He takes a
dislike to Snape to based on this experience.

2. 
Eliza subsequently hears stories that put Mr. Darcy in 
a very bad light.  Because of her dislike of Mr. Darcy and
the charm of the storyteller, she believes the stories 
without question.

Harry hears stories about Snape that make him seem 
angry, petty, and immature.  His dislike of Snape and 
liking for those telling the stories (Dumbledore, Sirius,
and Lupin) make it easy for him to believe the worst 
of Snape.

3.
The final blow to any relationship between Eliza and 
Mr. Darcy comes when Eliza hears, through a third party,
about Mr. Darcy deliberately destroying Jane's chances 
to marry Mr. Bingley.  This is such a horrible action that
it seems very unlikely that Eliza could ever forgive it.

The final nail in the coffin that is Harry and Snape's 
relationship comes when Harry learns, through a 
third party, that Snape overheard that Prophecy and
that he was one who ensured that Voldemort targetted
his family.  This is such a horrible action it seems very
unlikely that Harry could ever forgive it.

4.
After receiving an explanation of Mr. Darcy's actions,
including his regret about his dishonorable behavior
towards Janes, Eliza forgives him, although this takes 
time.

After receiving an explanation of Snape's actions,
including his regret about targetting Lily (although 
not James or Harry), Harry implicitly forgives Snape,
although how long this takes is unknown.


5.
Mr. Darcy helps Eliza's family by paying Wickham to 
marry Lydia.  He tries to hide his good deed from 
Eliza, believing that he has no hope of anything beyond
polite tolerance from her at that point.

Snape helps Harry in many ways, notably protecting
his life, but also by spying on Voldemort, delivering the 
Sword of Gryffindor to Harry, and suffering death to 
deliver Dumbledore's message.  His one condition to 
Dumbledore is that Harry never be aware of why he 
doing so.

***

After reading DH, I still think that the stories are 
very similar.


Alla:
Happy independence day to american list members!

Montavilla47:
Thank you!