Great response! But we do differ a bit - only a bit, though. I think, for anyone who is looking at these books as half-way serious literature, the evidence that Snape is Dumbledore's man is so strong it's incontrovertible. It amazes me that there are intelligent, articulate adults who are persuaded by readings (1) and (2) - but there are! I've encountered them on various discussion boards.
So - where we differ: I think Severus may have become a Death Eater out of genuine racism. Because I think Voldemort murdered his family, but they were murdered by Voldemort (or Death Eaters working for him) by putting Tobias under Imperio and forcing him to kill his wife and any siblings, and then himself. Severus is a vengeful sort; he would have wanted revenge but it would have been impossible to get - so a combination of ambition and anger led him to the Death Eaters. Then he found out what really happened to his family. Vengeance was suddenly possible - but very difficult. He went to Dumbledore.
Alternatively, he may always have known what really happened. In that case, he was always "Dumbledore's man", and joined the Death Eaters in order to undermine them. (Jodel's theory, and CMWinters's', and I really, really like it, because of the parallels with Harry. But I'm not sure Rowling will do this.)
I agree his Patronus is now a phoenix, and I think you're probably right about his boggart, too. But I disagree about the animagus. I think he became one after the werewolf caper, without knowing there were other unregistered animagi in the school. Young Severus would have done this to protect himself, since he would have been convinced no one else was going to protect him. I have three guesses for his animagus form - either a raven or else (the same as his original patronus) a griffin or hippogriff. I am leaning strongly toward the griffin or hippogriff.
Because I think he's going to kill Greyback, in animagus form, in order to protect some of 'his kids'. Would any of this surprise you? I would find it quite satisfying, and am hoping Rowling agrees with me (grin).
Thanks for the feedback! How is "Amber Spyglass" coming? Can you stand it at all (there were brilliant things in it, but I found it quite incoherent, personally. I won't say more for fear of spoiling you.)
no subject
So - where we differ: I think Severus may have become a Death Eater out of genuine racism. Because I think Voldemort murdered his family, but they were murdered by Voldemort (or Death Eaters working for him) by putting Tobias under Imperio and forcing him to kill his wife and any siblings, and then himself. Severus is a vengeful sort; he would have wanted revenge but it would have been impossible to get - so a combination of ambition and anger led him to the Death Eaters. Then he found out what really happened to his family. Vengeance was suddenly possible - but very difficult. He went to Dumbledore.
Alternatively, he may always have known what really happened. In that case, he was always "Dumbledore's man", and joined the Death Eaters in order to undermine them. (Jodel's theory, and CMWinters's', and I really, really like it, because of the parallels with Harry. But I'm not sure Rowling will do this.)
I agree his Patronus is now a phoenix, and I think you're probably right about his boggart, too. But I disagree about the animagus. I think he became one after the werewolf caper, without knowing there were other unregistered animagi in the school. Young Severus would have done this to protect himself, since he would have been convinced no one else was going to protect him. I have three guesses for his animagus form - either a raven or else (the same as his original patronus) a griffin or hippogriff. I am leaning strongly toward the griffin or hippogriff.
Because I think he's going to kill Greyback, in animagus form, in order to protect some of 'his kids'. Would any of this surprise you? I would find it quite satisfying, and am hoping Rowling agrees with me (grin).
Thanks for the feedback! How is "Amber Spyglass" coming? Can you stand it at all (there were brilliant things in it, but I found it quite incoherent, personally. I won't say more for fear of spoiling you.)