Sadism or not ? McGonagall and her punishments

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 186645

jkoney:
<SNIP>
I'm also confused about the objection to Neville's punishment. Let the
punishment fit the crime. He was not responsible enough to learn the passwords,
then it appears that he wrote them down and lost them.

Alla:

Sorry, what? Neville was not **responsible** enough to learn the passwords? How does having a poor memory equal lack of responsibility?

And yes, that is the problem, isn¡¦t it? It **appears** that he wrote them down and lost them. Only he did not. I am willing to cut Minerva some slack and not subscribe sadistic intent to her here, since I see no proof of it in the text, but punishment fits the crime?

She was wrong, she did not find out that the crime she accused Neville of, was not the real crime at all.

And I guess by this logic Neville deserves all he gets from Snape in class, doesn¡¦t he? I mean, it is not like he makes perfect potions and Snape yells at him for that. He indeed messes up all the time. I guess he is not responsible enough to learn the ingredients. Sorry, I cannot agree with it at all.

Jkoney:
They've already had
someone try to break into to the tower. Security is of the utmost importance.
There is suspected mad man, a killer on the loose. <SNIP>

Alla:

I think you should tell this to Minerva. ļ Tell her that she should increase security to make sure the suspected mad man is not able to get into the tower.

Pippin:
<SNIP>
Neville must have taken the list outside Gryffindor Tower, even though he didn't
lose it there, or he would have known that it must have been stolen from inside.
And for that, IMO, he deserved what he got. <SNIP>

Alla:
He must have taken the list outside? How do you know that??? So say Neville knew perfectly well that his teacher is completely wrong. Does Neville of his third year strike you as somebody who is willing to stand up and defend himself against teacher¡¦s unfairness? I know I do not see him like that at all.

You mentioned upthread that Harry does not speak for himself when he thinks Snape enjoys punishing him, and I agree. And Harry is more assertive, does he not? In their early years at least. When does Neville **ever** defend himself to the teacher in the third year?

JMO,

Alla