Sevvy Question was: Re: Dragonicity

[nkafkafi]

> Kneasy wrote:
> 
> <We've all got our pet theories about the Potions Master and it's 
rare for the boards I've seen to list more than a handful of posts 
before his name crops up - somehow.
> 
> But -  a general question here - it my be that my grey matter is 
failing me, but I have the impression that over the past couple of 
years there's been a gradual reconsideration and reassessment of his 
character. 
> Views that were held by a smallish (though vocal) minority seem to 
be more the mainstream opinion now. 
> Am I wrong?
> And if I'm not - what caused the change?>
> 
>  
> 
> Sigune:
> 
> I hadn't realised there was such a thing as a 'mainstream opinion' 
concerning Snape :-). <snip>


Neri:
Me too, Sigune. Snape and 'mainstream opinion' is self-contradicting.

I think that in Snape, JKR hit on the perfect recipe for a fandom 
hero. She did it in part unintentionally, I suspect, but still, this 
is the mark of true genius. The recipe, as far as I can make it, is:

1. Don't make this character the main hero of the story (it would 
clash with 5).

2. But OTOH, don't make him the evil overlord, unless there's someone 
or something more evil than he is.

3. Make him as nasty as it's possible to be without being downright 
repulsive.

4. Make the main hero a nice good-doer, so he'll be a bit dull by 
comparison.

5. Reveal as little as possible about the character's past and 
motives.

6. The little you do reveal, make as controversial and inconsistent 
as possible.

7. Make this character involved in as many critical plot turns as 
possible.

8. Balance the amount of good he does precisely with the amount of 
bad he does (warning: any deviation from an exact balance will ruin 
the effect).

9. Hint that he possibly did some Very Bad Things, but don't give any 
details.

10. Also hint that he possibly saved the day, but again don't give 
any details.

11. Plant suggestions that he might be playing a part, but do not 
repeat DO NOT supply any real proof that he indeed does so.

12. Make him the nemesis of the good hero. The more conflict between 
them – the better.

13. But OTOH, make him save the good hero's butt once or twice.

14. However, underplay 13 and make it appear as if he only did it 
only for is own good.

15. Add plenty of diabolic characteristics, but nothing concrete. 

16. Do not repeat DO NOT make him involved in ANY romantic 
relationship (the fans will take care of that).

17. Plant clues that he was badly abused in his childhood and/or 
youth.

18. However, while you're on 17, never make him appear nice or 
innocent himself.

19. Make several good characters trash him repeatedly. 

20. However, add one reason, irrational as possible, why we should 
trust him, and play it again and again against all logic. 



This is as best as I can make it, but I'm sure that the fanfic 
writers around here can add and refine this recipe considerably.


Neri