My last (maybe) Half-Blood Prince meta.

[amanuensis1]

We're nearing the end of the time I can meta on this: I've said (oh, how I've said) that Snape's loyalty to Dumbledore isn't remotely in question because of the structure of Book 6 and the series as a whole, and that I dislike how Harry's been left in the dark at the end of Book 6, since it's unfair to make the answers plain to the reader but leave the protagonist unenlightened at the conclusion of a volume. (To clarify, this does not mean that Harry is stupid not to have seen it--Harry didn't get to read the Spinner's End chapter.) But here's another way that cheats us: do you realize, if Snape's motives had been revealed to Harry--if Snape or a glimpse into Dumbledore's pensieve or his will or what have you had communicated this to Harry at the end of Book 6, and Harry as well as the reader saw that Snape had gone into deep cover at Dumbledore's command--does everyone realize that that ending would actually have made Snape's ultimate loyalties ambiguous? That the "is Snape good or is Snape evil?" stickers and debates and contests would actually have had meat, if that had occurred?

Seriously, a third of us would be saying, "Snape killed Dumbledore at Dumbledore's command; we now know that the last book will be about Harry and Snape being on the same side, and if they will triumph over Voldemort and live." Another third would say, "Snape's pulled the wool over everyone's eyes--Dumbledore thought Snape was reluctant to kill him, but in reality Snape's been on Voldemort's side all the time, and just wait until Harry confronts Voldemort expecting Snape to have his back and Snape starts to laugh, 'What, you didn't believe that claptrap I told you, Potter? I've never been so delighted to cast a spell in my life as the day I killed that Slytherin-hating old fool.' It'll be amazing!" And the last third would still be insisting, "Snape is his own man, and his actions at the end will do what is best for Snape."

Another reason to resent the ending of Half-Blood Prince. I would have loved seeing all the sides of that debate.

Comments

[melusinahp.livejournal.com]

I agree with what you said about that making the ending more interesting and ambiguous, but it would also be impossible.

The whole plan -- Harry witnessing Snape murdering Dumbledore -- was necessary so that when Voldemort reads Harry's mind, as he will, there will be no doubt whatsoever in Harry's mind as to Snape's loyalties. If Voldemort used Legilimency on Harry and discovered the tiniest doubt that Snape was loyal to Voldemort all Hell would break loose and Snape would be instantly killed.

Harry had to be completely convinced of Snape's false badness. That's what Snape and Dumbledore had been working on since Harry arrived at Hogwarts.

[midnitemaraud-r.livejournal.com]

I was thinking the same thing myself - particularly since Harry is so spectacularly bad at Occlumency, which of course Snape knows far too well. And I think that was part of "the key" - if Harry HAD mastered Occlumency, it might have gone differently, (as you suggest, Amy!) but also, Harry is young, and Occlumency is advanced magic. It was one thing for him to master the Patronus as he did, but because he's an average student, for him to be a whiz at everything advanced... Too neat and too Sueish. And not enough 'adolescent stubborn rebelliousness' - though I do admit he was highly motivated to learn the Patronus. But that ties in to the Occlumency as well - he was more motivated by his curiosity to NOT master it and eavesdrop on Voldemort than he was by the threat it posed to him at the time. If he'd known the consequences of his poor study would be Sirius' demise...

I think part of the problem is that we know more than Harry at this point, and so it frustrates us to see him so blinded and single-minded. But you also have to remember that many in this area of fandom are sympathetic to Snape. Step outside our LJ community and it's the exact opposite. Obviously, when you like a person or a character, you approach them very differently as opposed someone you feel only animosity towards. But also, the ending of HPB made a LOT of anti-Snape fans pause and ask themselves a few more questions instead of following the old blind-faith path.

Also, look at the debate that arose amongst fans and readers with regard to Snape's loyalties, and how passionate people have been over it. I think this way WE as readers become more personally involved and invested - it's our own beliefs and perspectives being challenged - as opposed to a more distancing character's (Harry's, et.al.) beliefs.

[melusinahp.livejournal.com]

And the reasons why Harry was so good at master the Patronus were the exact same reasons why he couldn't master Occlumency (and Draco could.) The Patronus comes from his heart, his emotions, which are right on the surface pretty much all the time. Occlumency is about totally repressing ones emotions and taking control of one's mind. Harry isn't capable yet. Maybe be will be by the end of HBP.

[melusinahp.livejournal.com]

Obviously, I meant the end of DH, lol.

[midnitemaraud-r.livejournal.com]

Excellent point, too! Have we ever seen Harry repress even a single emotion? Maybe with the Dursleys on occasion (to avoid punishment), but if so, it's pretty rare.

(And somehow my half-sentence about his curiosity about the mysterious door got deleted in my initial reply, but it was supposed to read curiosity about the mysterious hallway and door to not master it. Ah well. :-P)

It's so nice to see people metaing about HP again - I'm so excited about the book release! My biggest dilemma isn't even about worrying about avoiding spoilers - it's about worrying if I should read really quickly and zip through it to find out how it all ends because I'm dying of curiosity, or if I should read it more slowly and thoroughly and savour everything - the suspense and the fact that it's the last of the new canon. Such problems! :-P

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Obviously, when you like a person or a character, you approach them very differently as opposed someone you feel only animosity towards.

Do you know--I hated Snape. I mean, when I came into fandom after GoF I saw Snape's fun fannish potential, but in all the books preceding, and then in OotP (even after I was in fandom and enjoying "Detention, Potter," smutfics like mad), I did feel animosity towards him. Really hated him for his cruelty and nastiness! And then at the conclusion of HBP, it was shocking--I gasped, "All this time I thought Snape was a nasty man who had his own agenda--now it turns out he's the second hero of the books!" So I was not looking at him as someone I liked when I read HBP--HBP is what turned me around to admiring the hell out of Snape.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I think this is a very possible read. Thing is, if book 7 does not even mention this--that Harry could not block the knowledge from Voldemort's Legilimency--I will not be shocked. I think it's one possible reason and one I like, but I'm not convinced it must be Rowling's reason.