Why do we love Snape?

[mary_j_59]

This was a question asked over on the whysnape board, and here was my answer. I have expanded it a bit as a result of the bitter word's excellent essay on Dunbledore and the comments that resulted. It is an informal essay/meditation, g-rated and probably about 500 words.

Why love a fictional character? In what sense do we *love* characters in books?

Some people will never understand this love because it has never happened to them. When I was in library school, I learned about the levels of engagement and understanding children - and teenagers, and adults - go through in their reading. First it's just basic comprehension. Then you get lost in the story; you are caught up in the adventure you are reading. Then you come to the stage where you "find yourself in a book". Then, as a young adult, you begin to see layers of meaning in the story and the characters. You begin to read on more than one level. It's my guess that all Snape fans are reading on at least the third level and more probably on the fourth. Many readers never get there. They read for information and amusement, and don't necessarily identify strongly with the characters, never mind analyzing them! That's a perfectly reasonable way to read these books. It's also true that not everyone who "finds him/herself" in the potterverse will find themselves in Snape. Why would any reader identify with him, rather than with more (apparently) likable characters such as Harry or Hermione or Sirius?

Yet many of us identify with Snape more than any other character in these books. I certainly do, and here are some of my reasons. For one thing, Severus Snape is a bullied geek, and, as Jodel remarks, many of Rowling's adult readers self-identify as geeks or nerds. I dare say quite a few of us were bullied by people like James, Sirius and Lily; as a result, we may well have strong fellow feeling for young Severus when we see him in the same situation. He is also, very clearly, a man in mourning. His irritability, poor grooming, choice of clothing, and apparent insomnia all point to clinical depression, and anyone who has ever been even slightly depressed can't help but feel for him. Most of all, I find him fascinating because he is the most morally and emotionally complex character Rowling wrote, and because he (like Neville, and unlike Harry) is truly on a hero's journey. He is the only character she wrote who actually chooses to change. This is compelling. But that's true of characters in other books, isn't it? There are certainly heroes who become better people by their own efforts and who love without being loved in return. Then why is Snape so fascinating?

I think Snape's grip on the reader's imagination is so strong because of the dissonance between what Rowling apparently intended and what she actually did. As I've said so many times before, in Severus, Rowling had the chance to write one of the greatest characters, and greatest heroes, in all of English literature. It's all there on the page - the courage, loyalty, intelligence and capacity for love*. And yet, she makes it clear in the adjectives she uses about him, in the torments and humiliations she puts him through, and in Harry's viewpoint, that she doesn't want him to be seen as a hero. Never mind what she says in interviews, which is even worse!

So, those of us who, for whatever reason, identify with Severus want to see justice for him. We want him to achieve some peace and happiness, and that never happens in the text. This is frustrating, so we can't let go. We keep struggling to affirm his heroism and discover other possibilities for him.

*He's got a great sense of humor, too. That helps.

Comments

[sunsethill.livejournal.com]

I think Snape's grip on the reader's imagination is so strong because of the dissonance between what Rowling apparently intended and what she actually did.

This expresses exactly the conclusion I have come to. After DH, it became clear to me that Rowling assumed that everyone would see the characters just as she saw them--no matter what she actually wrote. I know this is true of Snape, but DH made it clear that the same thing happened with James and Lily. After Snape's Worst Memory in OotP and then finding out in DH that James died without even lifting a wand, his "hero" status is a little tarnished. And Saint!Lily finds no expression in Snape's DH memories. Rowling doesn't understand the power of what she actually SHOWS us about her characters rather than what she just thinks or says.

[mary-j-59.livejournal.com]

Yes. Thank you. Of course, it's hard for any artist to be objective about their work, but Rowling has stated that she doesn't reread nor rewrite. The books might have been improved, both artistically and morally, had she taken those (very necessary) steps.

[anne-arthur.livejournal.com]

She might also have noticed that she explained how the Ministry keep track of underage magic in two completely different ways in two successive books, to choose just one example! I still find it hard to believe that someone who knows she has legions of fans who will over-analyse every comma does not check, re-check, and check again. I would. In fact, I think I would be so thrilled at the books' success that I would be constantly re-reading my favourite bits, just to say 'I wrote that'! I assume that it must be superstitious - that she must feel that she has to put her head down and charge at it, or the ability to do it will dry up?

But to get to the point - great essay! Personally, I think what I identify with in Snape is someone in a very stressful and isolated position with, it now appears, no support whatsoever, struggling to do the right thing for people he does not actually like. Having experienced a very, very mild version of this, I am astonished that he manages to do what he does, 'running on empty', so to speak. And, as I was brought up to believe that the proof of love is action, and that to love those we do not like is the greatest love of all, I thought I could see Snape heading for a lot more recognition than he in fact got. But instead JKR seems to have opted for the prevailing opinion that love is a warm fuzzy glow that unites friends and families (and just ignore all those left outside that glow) - which is disappointing.

However, we should be grateful - her careless writing and lack of interest in her greatest creation :) add to his appeal, in my opinion. Whenever the spotlight falls on him there is something interesting - but there is plenty of room for speculation. What was his relationship with Lucius Malfoy like? How did his parents get together? Why did he want to be in Slytherin? How did he feel about Dumbledore? Why did he live in a Muggle house? Etc. etc. etc. He is midway between the Hero, about whom there is no mystery left, and a minor character like Ernie Macmillan, who has too little story provided.

That's my answer. I'm sorry it's almost as long as the original essay - but it really made me think!

[mary-j-59.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Anne! It is true that she has left interesting gaps for us to fill, and I can see some readers being grateful for that. Certainly, I have no interest in either reading or writing fanfic about Harry after DH. Snape's another story.

[bohemianspirit.livejournal.com]

Oh, God, I'm just the opposite: I can't imagine not re-reading and rewriting, especially something as "permanent" as a book! Blog entries, I'll dash off the top of my head, sometimes; but a book, let alone a book series....??? Can't wrap my mind around it.