Snape and Harrys Sadism (was: Lack of re-examination)

[eggplant107]

No: HPFGUIDX 186610


Carol Wrote:

> I don't want to argue whether Uncle
> Vernon is a sadist. But I don't see
> any evidence that Snape is.

In 1999 JKR said "Snape is a very sadistic teacher"
but that far from settles the matter; she has her
opinion on the matter and we are free to have our own.

Rather than continue the debate over the morality
of Harry torturing people and enjoying it I want
to ask a very different question: Do you think
it was artistically wise of JKR to have Harry do
that, did she have to in a sense force Harry to
do it or did it come naturally? I think it was
very wise indeed. True it's not what a supernaturally
moral epic hero would do, but it is what a real flesh
and blood person would do if they'd have gone
through as much as Harry had. If in 7 books Harry
had never once shown a bit of joy in the pain on
one of his enemy's faces it just wouldn't ring
true to me because it's in the nature of war.

 Eggplant