Snape: good or evil?
I'd be interested in people's take on whether Severius Snape is good or evil (given his conduct in the climax of the most recent Harry Potter book). I've got a piece underway on a classical liberal analysis of the Potter series, about which I may post more later - the basic idea is that the series is "about" moral choice and that it demonstrates the need for limited government to allow choice to take place. For now, if you post comments on the Snape question, those few who have not finished the sixth book can avoid any plot spoilers by not reading the comments.
The question is not entirely a silly academic one - a 2004 article reported that 60% of American kids aged 6-17, had read at least one of the series and 18% of American adults had read at least one by 2002. Considering how many more have been sold, the series is fast becoming an important common element in our culture.
The question is not entirely a silly academic one - a 2004 article reported that 60% of American kids aged 6-17, had read at least one of the series and 18% of American adults had read at least one by 2002. Considering how many more have been sold, the series is fast becoming an important common element in our culture.
Posted by Andy Morriss on
Wednesday August 31, 2005 at 2:25pm
And it is more than a "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" sort of thing. Dumbledore trusted him. I trust Dumbledore. I have my suspicions (maybe they are only my hopes, since he is my favorite character) that we have not seen the end of Albus Dumbledore, rather like we did not see the last of Gandolf when he fought the balrog. Dumbledore's exchange with Malfoy right at the end is what makes me think so.
If I am right in this, then Snape's action was anticipated -- indeed expected & maybe even planned by Dumbledore -- for the progress against Voldemort.
As I write this, I am reminded of Aslan commenting on a magic deeper than what the White Witch knew. Perhaps Dumbledore knows a thing or two about deep magic.
The struggle with inner turmoil and one's moral compasss manifests in most of the HP characters at different times. In fact, as the plot stands, our hero HP himself is in the emotional throws of vengeance (while I believe the Bible tells us that vengeance is only rightly possessed (acted upon?) by God).
So as for Snape, I think he's flawed like everyone else. He clearly can't escape his prejudice against Harry. But I think his is trying to work for good. He does things like make unbreakable vows when he can't fully predict the consequences, but making mistakes is something that even properly oriented humans do.
Read thru http://DumbledoreIsNotDead.com/ and let me know what you think.
pax,
Dale