Snape Fans and the Justification of Bullying: A Critical Analysis
In the Harry Potter fandom, discussions often arise about the deplorable actions of beloved characters like Snape, particularly his treatment of certain characters. This article delves into the justifications used by some Snape fans to defend his behavior, examining them through a critical lens.
The Three Strategies Used by Snape Fans
When confronted with scrutinizing Snape's actions, fans often employ three main strategies to justify his behavior:
Victim Blame: Snape Deserved It
One popular argument is that Snape's victims deserved his treatment. This approach shifts the blame onto the victims themselves. For instance, James and the Marauders bullied a child who was frequently abused at home, and some fans use a similar logic to absolve Snape of his wrongdoings. This narrative often involves blaming the victim for their own misfortunes, ignoring the moral and ethical implications of such actions.
Minimizing the Severity: It Was Not So Bad
Another common defense is to downplay the severity of Snape's actions. Fans may argue that Snape's pranks were merely jokes, forgetting the psychological and emotional toll they took on his victims. When considering Snape's retaliations, the concept of a prank is lost, and more sinister actions like exposing someone in public or guiding a student to a danger zone (knowing the victims were werewolves) are rationalized as mere pranks.
Treater vs. Treated: A Rivalry
Fans often frame Snape's behavior as a rivalry. However, four against one is hardly fair. This perspective minimizes the power imbalance and legal consent between the parties involved. The argument that fairness is subjective is often used to justify such imbalanced encounters. Snape's behavior is thus seen as a form of retribution rather than abuse.
Snape's Actions Toward Neville and Harry
Specifically, Snape's actions toward Neville and Harry highlight a pattern of behavior that extends beyond mere rivalry. It's important to examine Snape's disciplinary methods toward Neville, which were rooted in his belief that Neville was a ‘shitty student’. This characterization reveals a lack of understanding and support, reflecting a poor educational approach rather than a healthy mentor-mentee relationship.
James Potter's Influence
It is also worth noting the influence of James Potter on Snape's perception of Harry. J.K. Rowling, in an interview, indirectly indicated that James's influence was significant in shaping Snape's dislike of Harry. This context suggests that instead of Snape having a personal vendetta, his actions were more influenced by external factors.
The Dark Side of Justification
The tendency to justify Snape's actions stems from a deeper issue of victim-blaming and normalization of abusive behavior. In real life, there are individuals like Death Eaters who abuse their power, just as some fans abuse the power of their fandom to justify harmful behavior.
Psychological and Emotional Harm
Psychological torture and emotional manipulation, such as 'mind raping' a child, are serious issues that should not be trivialized or forgiven. The analogy of a parent excusing Snape's actions towards a child is a powerful illustration of the ethical and moral failings within such justifications. Trust and safety within a family are paramount, and no responsible parent would condone such actions, even if they perceived the perpetrator's suffering in youth.
Conclusion
The justification of Snape's actions is a complex issue rooted in victim-blaming, minimization of harm, and normalization of abuse. It is crucial for the Harry Potter community and fans alike to recognize the moral and ethical implications of such justifications. The real-life consequences of such behaviors must be taken seriously, and empathy and understanding should guide our interpretations of character actions.