META: Did Snape know Draco's task?

[amanuensis1]

Little bit of meta here, my take on one question posed by the Spinner's End chapter of HBP: did Snape indeed know what Draco's task was when he claimed to Bellatrix and Narcissa he did? Here's what Snape says:

"It so happens that I know of the plan," he said in a low voice. "I am one of the few the Dark Lord has told."

Some readers have speculated that he might not have, that he was bluffing. If that's so, that means he didn't know exactly what he was signing up for when he agreed to make the Unbreakable Vow. Why would Snape have taken such a risk? Possibly because he didn't know Draco's task and figured he darn well needed to know what Voldemort was plotting, so, by telling Narcissa "It's all right, you can speak freely with me," he'd have the chance to find out something crucial.

I don't see anything in that chapter that directly contradicts that idea; Snape's hesitation before he says the last words of the vow could also be said to support it. Perhaps he hesitates because he has no idea what he's promising, but knows he can't back out at that point without having his bluff called. However, one can also explain the hesitation if Snape does know that Draco's been directed to kill Dumbledore, because Snape would realize that by doing so, he's signed his own death warrant, since he's thinking there's no way he'll carry it through.

I'm more inclined to think that Snape does actually know, even though we have no hard-and-fast evidence. What we do have, though, is what can be seen as a clean example of an author's contrivance to keep the knowledge from the reader, by shrouding the element in "we must not speak of it, the Dark Lord has commanded," and "I already know of the plan." Keeps the reader in the dark. And that's all the explanation you'd need, as to why he says that. I think that's the most compelling element to sway me in that direction. But I do think that the chapter, and all the rest of the text, can support either hypothesis.

Comments

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think the Snape-and-Draco conversation could be read that way, and is maybe better evidence than anything that happens in the Spinner's End chapter for that interp. The eavesdropping!Hagrid thing, though, could be read as an ongoing part of the arguments Snape and Dumbledore keep having about the issue. Snape went into the UV thinking, "That's it, I'm dead," and then was surprised by D. saying, "No, you're going to do it. I'm dying anyway, and you're more important in this role." And Snape refused and Snape squirmed as D. continued to demonstrate the better logic of this plan, and eventually he reluctantly admitted it and even conceded, but that doesn't mean that he stopped protesting altogether.

[bethbethbeth.livejournal.com]

Oh, I definitely think that reported conversation is Snape squirming, as you say, but to me it sounds maybe like the first time he's actually said "no" to Dumbledore (and is then is immediately made to shut up *g*)

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

See, I think if that's the first time he's learned of what it is, the protests would be WAY bigger, not something that Hagrid would overhear and dismiss as something so mild. Though I don't mean to argue that that's hard-and-fast, as I say; it could be as you say!

[bethbethbeth.livejournal.com]

Heh. You realize, of course, that when the end of July arrives, it's going to turn out that Snape was evil and was just playing Dumbledore all along. :)

*is struck by lightning*

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

It's da end of da woild. *throws up hands*

[beck-liz.livejournal.com]

No! Say it ain't so! *flees the apocalypse*

[schemingreader.livejournal.com]

So you know, it could be true that Snape was rebelling against his duty to kill Dumbledore AND that he is evil. Because he could be manipulating Dumbledore into telling him to kill him! That would be so awesome. It would also make Snape a huge opportunist. So yeah!

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

My head, she reels! *claps head*

[schemingreader.livejournal.com]

I don't really think that, because it would be too peculiar. Nevertheless, it does occur to me and it would make things very interesting!

[willayork.livejournal.com]

NO!!! nononononono. even if (*sigh* when) she writes it- I refuse to believe

[buttfacemakani.livejournal.com]

That's exactly what I think. I think Snape was planning on dying instead of killing Dumbledore.

And then the whole "Tell me what you're going to do, Draco" thing was just.. finding out how he was going to go about his task, which Snape knew of.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I think if you look at each conversation of Snape's--whether it's directly shown to the reader or represented as someone's eavesdropping--as "do not reveal the thing to the reader; keep up the suspense," then that's the simplest explanation and it's one that works for every instance. Simplest explanation's not always the right one but it IS a potential argument for that interp! ^_^

[doctor-bendo.livejournal.com]

I dunno, but I think that Snape is the kind of guy that never asks a question where he doesn't think he knows the answer or will soon find out. I mean, maybe that doesn't make much sense, but it's kinda like when a lawyer asks a question of somebody on the witness stand and he's all like, "So and this and this happened?" when he knows about it. 'Cause asking about something he doesn't really know, is like showing some kind of vulnerability. He knows what Draco's gonna do, maybe not exactly what he's doing but when he asks directly it's just to unnerve Draco, tell him he does know shit's up, make him insecure and all that. like when he asks Harry shit while knowing full well he's not gonna get a straight answer. I don't think he thinks Draco's gonna actually tell him, but it works both ways 'cause he looks like he's trying to help him which could make Voldie think oh, Snape is such a helpful fucker and at the same time maybe Draco would let something slip without wanting to. That's why I think Snape is totally innocent, 'cause he wouldn't open himself up to ask a question like that from a boy. I don't think it would be IC, if he was evOl. or, maybe I'm full of shit. could be.