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

[mesmer44]

No: HPFGUIDX 186616

"eggplant107" <eggplant107 at ...> wrote:
> 
> 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.
>

Steve replies:

"she has her opinion on the matter and we are free to have our own? She's the author for goodness sake.  She has a lot more than just an opinion on the matter, as she created the character of Snape and wrote thousands of words and several dozen scenes him in them.  If JKR says that Snape was a very sadistic teacher, that holds a whole heck of a lot more credence with me and than coming from a reader who for very subjective personal reasons doesn't like what KKR wrote or how she presented a character.  Yes, with all due respect to any fan or reader, you do have the right to personally dislike how an author wrote or views their literary characters to be sure.  But do you have an equal right with the author to interpret the nature of a character created by that author?  I don't think so, and most authors I've talked to sure don't think so. Authors love their readers to have all kinds of reactions to their work, to be sure.  But when a reader equates their opinions of what a character is like as equal to or superior to the literary intention and perception of the author, then I have to side w/ the author.  They wrote it, you didn't. If you want to think of Frodo and Sam as being gay, be my guest, but don't think your opinion on the matter is better than or holds more weight in credibility than Tolkiens does. 

Eggplant continues:
 
> 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

Steve replies:  I agree with your assessment of it being wise indeed.  I do agree that it's what a real flesh and blood, or realistically believable hero would do.
>