In Praise of Severus Snape

I feel grossly under-prepared to write about anything Harry Potter, as I have only finished one of the books and seen all of the movies. However, I feel really compelled, today, to write about this. Several people on my fList have taken the Sorting Hat test that is going around, and nearly everyone tested as Gryffindor. A point that I want to bring up, though, is that ALL of the houses at Hogwarts are equally important, much like the 4 universal elements (which they do, btw, correspond to). Actually, it has come into my consciousness, that each house represents control of their element, or, perhaps, dominion over that element.

So, with that in mind, Ravenclaw represents dominion over the Intellect, (focusing on knowledge and not wasting energy on useless curiosity), Gryffindor represents dominion over Will, using that power for the greater good rather than self-service. Slytherin dominion over the Emotions, not allowing your heart to get in the way of your purpose. Hufflepuff represents dominion over the body, making sure that all of the physical needs are taken care of so that all else can function.

When thought of in that way, Sytherin becomes pretty important, doesn't it? However, sometimes control over the emotions can seem very cruel and harsh. We just recently had to put our oldest cat to sleep. At what point do you make that decision? Right after that, we were faced with a bad ear infection in another one. Where is the money going to come from for that? It didn't happen this way, but there was a possibility that we were going to have to put the other one to sleep for the greater good of all.

Snape is one of my favorite characters in HP, but this is no surprise, because "Dracula" is one of my favorite books. I find Dracula to be one of the most incredible teachers! The same goes for Snape.

In the first book, for example, Snape starts out by mocking Harry's fame. ("Harry Potter. Our new—celebrity."). He then goes on to ask question of Harry that he has had no chance to learn ("What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?", "Let's try again. Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?" "What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?"). Potter does not have any idea about any of these, although Hermione clearly does. Hermione studied before hand, Harry did not (not that he could have, but that is beside the point). Why does Snape berate Harry so? What has he got to gain by picking on and humiliating this one underfed boy?

He is protecting him, that is why. Hermione knows all the answers, but it doesn't matter. Her parents are dentists. No one knows her. Harry is not only famous, he is very unpopular with Voldemort, who will come after him. Harry's fame will, in no way, protect him from Voldemort. Snape is teaching Harry "life is hard and cruel and dangerous... BE PREPARED! Scary things are real, and they can do much more than just go bump in the night!). Life isn't all fluffy bunnies and lavender caches. Sometimes we really need people that are willing to be mean, or even cruel to us in order to make us strong. It brings to mind the film "Conan the Barbarian". The villain in that is called Thulsa Doom. He killed Conan's parents when he was a child, then captured Conan and sold him into slavery, where he spent his childhood pushing a millstone like a mule. Then Conan was sold to another man who turned him into a gladiator so that he spent his youth fighting for his life in a ring. Thulsa Doom is not anyone's idea of a "nice guy". However, he makes an excellent point when he says: "What is steel compared to the hand that wields it? Look at the strength in your body, the desire in your heart, I gave you this! Such a waste. Contemplate this on the tree of woe. Crucify him!"

That scene in the Sorcerers Stone is one of my favorites because I love what Snape says about Potions. I am convinced that he is actually talking about Blood, as is the kind that flows in the veins and remembers who you are. Snape says: "You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making,..As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death..." (He is also, of course, talking about dominion of emotion... emotions are carried in the blood as hormones).

For some reason, this line reminds of the ending line in "Blood Music" by Greg Bear, "Nothing is lost, nothing is forgotten.
It was in the blood, the flesh. And now it is forever."

So, thank you, Severus Snape, for reminding me of how some of my greatest lessons have come from the some of the harshest teachers.