Oh, that's interesting about the power-hungry Slytherins! So - other people who seem to be corrupted by power, like Fred and George with all their bullying, or Harry himself (I would argue) in HBP, are all actually perfectly fine and good because they are not Slytherins? How convenient!
But what I meant is that magic itself is a power no human being should have. After DH, I am convinced of that. I think the Wizarding World Rowling describes is pretty despicable, and what I'm left wondering is whether Rowling herself was subtle and aware enough to intend this message. Somehow, I doubt it.
I found your essay on Scribbulus and read it. Nice job! It's very calm and even-handed in tone, and, as I told you before, I love the Dante-Beatrice comparison. It'll be interesting to read the comments.
As to the teacher who hates Snape: Well, Travis on Sword of Gryffindor is (I think) studying to be a teacher, if he's not a teacher already, and he gets all self-righteous about Snape, too. OTOH, a friend of mine from Asia (Taiwan) had teachers like that, and loved them. She doesn't find Snape a bully or a sadist at all. Although it's true - absolutely true - that Snape is not the excellent teacher he could be precisely because he holds grudges and therefore is unfair at times, it's also true that he is genuinely effective in the classroom most of the time and concerned for his students' safety. Like my friend, I find that he is not a habitual bully and not at all sadistic. What I'm getting at-
Without trying to justify some of Severus's over-the-top behavior, I wonder whether some of the teachers who really hate him (1) are in denial of their own quirks and problems or (2)(which is much more likely,) are believers in the modern 'self-esteem' doctrine. I read somewhere (wish I could remember where) that this doctrine - that we must praise children and build their self-esteem at all times - was actually false and unhelpful, even in building self-esteem. Because what actually builds self-esteem is mastery, and overcoming challenges. In these books, Neville is a good example of that, and I have a feeling that, though he did need the boosts Remus and Harry gave him, Severus did more to educate him than most readers realize.
But, again, I'm not sure Rowling intended to show anything of the kind. I just don't think anymore that she really consciously intended a lot of the subtleties we have found in her books. Disappointing!
no subject
But what I meant is that magic itself is a power no human being should have. After DH, I am convinced of that. I think the Wizarding World Rowling describes is pretty despicable, and what I'm left wondering is whether Rowling herself was subtle and aware enough to intend this message. Somehow, I doubt it.
I found your essay on Scribbulus and read it. Nice job! It's very calm and even-handed in tone, and, as I told you before, I love the Dante-Beatrice comparison. It'll be interesting to read the comments.
As to the teacher who hates Snape: Well, Travis on Sword of Gryffindor is (I think) studying to be a teacher, if he's not a teacher already, and he gets all self-righteous about Snape, too. OTOH, a friend of mine from Asia (Taiwan) had teachers like that, and loved them. She doesn't find Snape a bully or a sadist at all. Although it's true - absolutely true - that Snape is not the excellent teacher he could be precisely because he holds grudges and therefore is unfair at times, it's also true that he is genuinely effective in the classroom most of the time and concerned for his students' safety. Like my friend, I find that he is not a habitual bully and not at all sadistic. What I'm getting at-
Without trying to justify some of Severus's over-the-top behavior, I wonder whether some of the teachers who really hate him (1) are in denial of their own quirks and problems or (2)(which is much more likely,) are believers in the modern 'self-esteem' doctrine. I read somewhere (wish I could remember where) that this doctrine - that we must praise children and build their self-esteem at all times - was actually false and unhelpful, even in building self-esteem. Because what actually builds self-esteem is mastery, and overcoming challenges. In these books, Neville is a good example of that, and I have a feeling that, though he did need the boosts Remus and Harry gave him, Severus did more to educate him than most readers realize.
But, again, I'm not sure Rowling intended to show anything of the kind. I just don't think anymore that she really consciously intended a lot of the subtleties we have found in her books. Disappointing!