Re: Snape and Harry�s Sadism (was: Lack of re-examination)

[kempermentor]

No: HPFGUIDX 186614

> Eggplant:
> 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.

Kemper now:
This reminds me of advise I read that Camille Paglia received from Harold Bloom.  Paraphrasing here so forgive, but it goes something like: Disregard everything an author says especially if it's anything about her writing.  


> Eggplant:
> 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?

Kemper now:
Interesting question.  I think it came naturally, we had seen him attempt it before so it wasn't a surprise.  What seemed forced (out of character) was McG's nonchalance. That was artistically slow-witted of JKR. ::sigh:: It was a popcorn fun read though.

> Eggplant:
> 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.

Kemper now:
Are you speaking as someone who has been in war? 
Either way, I hope you are wrong.  It would make okay the incidences at Abu Ghraib and elsewhere.  I like to believe that those are isolated events, that US soldiers don't enjoy killing/torture/mistreatment.  I would also want our Minerva McGovernment to *question* those actions whenever they occur.  The Carrows are not people to be admired.

Kemper