A BIAS in the Pensieve: A Batty Idea About Snape

[Lyn J. Mangiameli]

--- In the_old_crowd at yahoogroups.com, "nkafkafi" <nkafkafi at y...> wrote:
> Neri:
> I personally tend to think that the vampire!Snape theory is mistaking
> a metaphor for a mystery plot. 

Lyn:
Love the phrase "mistaking a metaphor for a mystery plot." Other than this litle theory I 
tossed out for consideration, your phrase captures the  way I've tended to see things.

Back to Neri

>I think that JKR has certainly planted
> vampire suggestions in her characterization of Snape. All the sweeping
> around in billowing black cloaks, the black cold eyes, living in the
> cold dungeons, etc. 
> 
> Moreover, there's a JKR's drawing of Snape that can be seen, held by
> Herself, in:
> http://www.fictionalley.org/harryandme/profsnape.jpg
> 
> (warning: watching this picture is not recommended for those who think
> Snape is sexy).
>  
> Except for the beard, this drawing is uncannily similar to the
> pictures of Bela Lugosi as count Dracula, for example this classic
> poster that even became a mail stamp: 
> http://www.animationcelection.com/dracbig.htm
> 
Lyn:
Yep, it seems to me that JKR has intended for us to at least think of Snape according to 
that image, whether or not she intends him to be one.

Back to Neri: 
> And yet, all the attempts to link Snape to Potterverse vampires are
> shaky at best. Yes, there are several notes in the books about
> vampires as dark creatures, but not more than there are notes about
> hags, for example. There is the famous JKR rebuttal "Erm... I don't
> think so". And as Magda wrote, what would be the point, plot wise, of
> Snape being a vampire? 

Lyn:
Of course this is the area where we have different assumptions. I rarely take JKR's 
interviews literally or definitively. Why the hesitation (particularly when she was apparently 
typing and didn't have to respond instantaneously) and why anything less than an 
unequivocal "No." To me her response is intended to be neither a positive nor negative 
disclosure of future events and underlying truth in the series.  

As for what would be the point with respect to the plot, I have offered several 
considerations in that regard. You many not find them worthy (and they may not be), but I 
do think significance to the plot has been addressed.

Back to Neri 
> So IMO the vampire thing is more of a characterization or a metaphor.
> JKR isn't hinting that Snape IS a vampire, but that there's something
> vampirish about Snape. 

Lyn again;
I like this paragraph, and it is really is part of where I was coming from in the original 
post. I don't expect Snape to be a full vampire, but there does seem to be a strong 
suggestion he is somehow associated with vampires. While I personally suspect it is in his 
ancestry (wouldn't it be interesting if that is what the scene between his presumed father 
and mother was all about), I don't think it controls his actions, or is his primary identity. I 
know you don't go even this far, but I'm not sure we are that far apart, either.

Back to Neri:
>What is it exactly is of course open to
> speculation. Personally, I suspect that Snape is connected with Voldy
> by some Dark Arts spell that makes Snape cold, perhaps part dead, and
> possibly in need of consuming other people's fear in order to survive.
> And such a thing would certainly be a plot point. 

Lyn:
At least for me, that is an entertaining speculation. It could be fun if things play out that 
way too.