This is an absolutely fascinating take on Snape. It really put into words some of the nebulous feelings I've had about him. He seems pretty clearly to be a very broken, flawed individual, but despite that, I can really see him doing his utmost to protect Harry and work for the Light.
The hippogriff parallel is one I've never heard before, and it explains a lot. Would you say that Snape's besetting sin is pride?
It is hard to accept that this murder may exemplify a "terrible good", or any kind of good at all. After all (and this is the sticking point for me), Pauline may ask her ancestor to retain his integrity by accepting his martyrdom, but she herself does him no harm. She does not judge him, condemn him and lead him to the fire. Severus Snape, on the other hand, really does kill Albus Dumbledore.
This is very interesting. I have this crazy theory that Snape did not kill Dumbledore, and the scenario I came up with to explain that actually resembles what Pauline did: Snape allows Dumbledore to accept his martyrdom. The sticking point for me isn't Snape committing a murder so much as Albus allowing it, especially after learning that murder tears the soul. I just can't wrap my mind around the idea of Dumbledore requiring someone to literally tear his soul for the greater good. It's just a tad bit too much "ends justifying means" for me.
I wonder- this is totally off-topic, but- have you written any analysis or had any thoughts about the potion-drinking scene in the cave? It seems so very important; the way it's written like a dream, or a hallucination- but I just can't seem to get a handle on it. I just ordered John Granger's new book, and I'm hoping he can shed some light on the symbolism, but I was just curious to see what you thought.
Running off to friend you now.
(May I also say, with a bit of jealousy, that this is a fabulously well-written essay :)
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Date: 2007-06-26 04:49 am (UTC)The hippogriff parallel is one I've never heard before, and it explains a lot. Would you say that Snape's besetting sin is pride?
It is hard to accept that this murder may exemplify a "terrible good", or any kind of good at all. After all (and this is the sticking point for me), Pauline may ask her ancestor to retain his integrity by accepting his martyrdom, but she herself does him no harm. She does not judge him, condemn him and lead him to the fire. Severus Snape, on the other hand, really does kill Albus Dumbledore.
This is very interesting. I have this crazy theory that Snape did not kill Dumbledore, and the scenario I came up with to explain that actually resembles what Pauline did: Snape allows Dumbledore to accept his martyrdom. The sticking point for me isn't Snape committing a murder so much as Albus allowing it, especially after learning that murder tears the soul. I just can't wrap my mind around the idea of Dumbledore requiring someone to literally tear his soul for the greater good. It's just a tad bit too much "ends justifying means" for me.
I wonder- this is totally off-topic, but- have you written any analysis or had any thoughts about the potion-drinking scene in the cave? It seems so very important; the way it's written like a dream, or a hallucination- but I just can't seem to get a handle on it. I just ordered John Granger's new book, and I'm hoping he can shed some light on the symbolism, but I was just curious to see what you thought.
Running off to friend you now.
(May I also say, with a bit of jealousy, that this is a fabulously well-written essay :)