I'll just move down here, since having the same conversation in two places in the same thread seem a bit unnessecary. :)
I think we essentially agree. And you're right, it's not impossible for Harry to behave differently. I just think that it's a lot more difficult for him to do so with Snape than with any other teacher.
I mean, Snape always hits Harry where it hurts most - in this case his parents - and Harry's emotions take over. I think Harry is acting badly, but it's simply the function of a range of confrontations, starting with that first Potions lesson.
I think Harry no longer can have an argument with Snape without seeing it as a continuation of their ongoing fighting and enmity. The first Potions lesson was deciding in that way; he had just left the Dursleys, who constantly told him how worthless he was because of his useless father, and what happens? He gets a teacher who share their sentiments perfectly.
Harry's opinion is decided then and there, and Snape, who doesn't get the response he's after, feels he's right about him. Now, since Harry is used to those very same insults, though he still gets upset, he dismisses Snape. I think you're completely right about this, and Snape probably senses it, and feels even more sure of his opinion.
Good grief, sorry for being confusing, but I'm extremely tired right now...
Anyway, Harry has these issues that, frankly, he needs to work on. (And I think by HBP he has overcome them somewhat, except, of course, in relation to Snape.) But his childhood with the Dursleys has left him very sensitive in some areas. It's notable to see how easily he forgives others, especially when they haven't insulted his parents. Maybe he just have a visceral reaction to a certain kind of behaviour (that he subconsciously connects with the Dursleys)?
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Date: 2006-01-19 08:58 am (UTC)I think we essentially agree. And you're right, it's not impossible for Harry to behave differently. I just think that it's a lot more difficult for him to do so with Snape than with any other teacher.
I mean, Snape always hits Harry where it hurts most - in this case his parents - and Harry's emotions take over. I think Harry is acting badly, but it's simply the function of a range of confrontations, starting with that first Potions lesson.
I think Harry no longer can have an argument with Snape without seeing it as a continuation of their ongoing fighting and enmity. The first Potions lesson was deciding in that way; he had just left the Dursleys, who constantly told him how worthless he was because of his useless father, and what happens? He gets a teacher who share their sentiments perfectly.
Harry's opinion is decided then and there, and Snape, who doesn't get the response he's after, feels he's right about him. Now, since Harry is used to those very same insults, though he still gets upset, he dismisses Snape. I think you're completely right about this, and Snape probably senses it, and feels even more sure of his opinion.
Good grief, sorry for being confusing, but I'm extremely tired right now...
Anyway, Harry has these issues that, frankly, he needs to work on. (And I think by HBP he has overcome them somewhat, except, of course, in relation to Snape.) But his childhood with the Dursleys has left him very sensitive in some areas. It's notable to see how easily he forgives others, especially when they haven't insulted his parents. Maybe he just have a visceral reaction to a certain kind of behaviour (that he subconsciously connects with the Dursleys)?