MY HARRY POTTER THEORY- READ AT YOUR OWN RISK
As I finished my second reading of “Half Blood Prince,” I badly needed a tangible, logical explanation for Severus Snape’s actions. Some fellow Harry Potter fans are convinced Snape is still loyal to Voldemort and others write convincing cases that Snape is acting according to Dumbledore’s instructions. In spite of its magical setting, it appears to me that all of the characters in the Harry Potter universe act reasonably and rationally based on their life experiences. What, then, can possibly motivate Severus Snape to act as he does in books one through six and what importance will this have in the final book of the series?
Harry believes he knows why Snape betrayed his parents to Voldemort and joined Dumbledore in his fight against the Dark Lord. In understanding Snape, however, Harry has it wrong - at least partially wrong. After Dumbledore's death, Remus Lupin, Professor McGonnagall, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and others are in the hospital wing discussing why Dumbledore was so certain of Snape’s loyalty. Harry is convinced he knows the reason and shares the following with his friends:
“‘I know," said Harry, and they all turned to look at him. ‘Snape passed Voldemort the information that made Voldemort hunt down my mum and dad. Then Snape told Dumbledore that he hadn't realized what he was doing, he was really sorry he' done it, sorry that they were all dead.’...’And he didn't think my mother was worth a damn either.’ said Harry, ‘because she was Muggle-born...'Mudblood,' he called her...’” p. 616 (American edition)
I am convinced Harry has Snape’s story only partially correct. Snape did tell Voldemort about the prophecy, but Harry is wrong about Snape's feelings for Lily. I think Snape cared a lot more about Lily than Harry realizes. Dumbledore acknowledges how much Snape regretted his decision to tell Voldemort about the prophecy. "I believe it to be the greatest regret of his life and the reason he returned-" p. 549. However, Harry interrupts Dumbledore before he had finished his sentence. Harry again questions Dumbledore:
"How can you be sure Snape is on our side?"
Dumbledore did not speak for a moment; he looked as though he was trying to make up his mind about something. At last he said, "I am sure. I trust Severus Snape completely." p. 549.
It appears Dumbledore was thinking about telling Harry something more about Severus and his reasons for leaving Voldemort, but chose not to. Perhaps, Dumbledore had given Severus his word that he would never reveal Snape’s reasons for leaving Voldemort.
I think Severus loved Lily. He clearly hated James. Although he knew them both, it would not explain his distress and anguish in learning Voldemort’s plan to hunt them down and kill them. Loving Lily, however, would certainly provide more a credible explanation for his decision to leave the Dark Lord. Everyone listening to Harry’s explanation "seemed to be lost in horrified shock, trying to digest the monstrous truth of what happened." p, 617. They are so shocked by Dumbledore's death that nobody questions Harry’s assertions about Snape’s feelings for Lily. As readers, JKR is manipulating her readers to accept Harry's explanation as valid and accurate.
In the chapter "Flight of the Prince", as Harry battles Snape, Snape makes a very interesting comment to Harry. Harry attempts to use the Sectumsempra spell against Snape, and Snape responds angrily, "You dare use my own spells against me, Potter? It was I who invented them - I, the Half-Blood Prince! And you'd turn my inventions on me, like your filthy father, would you? I don't think so...no!" p. 604. From Harry’s potion book, we know Snape invented the Levicorpus spell, the Sectumsempra spell and many others. We also know James Potter used the Levicorpus spell to publicly humiliate Snape in front of Sirus, Lupin, Lily and a number of other Hogwart’s students. When Lily attempted to help Snape, he called her a filthy little mudblood. Perhaps this is the event that turned Lily away from Snape permanently. It was some time after this that she started dating James. Snape who was only a half-blood, hated James Potter the pure blood - who ultimately married Lily, had the popularity and respect from the other students, and who took recognition for the spells Snape invented. In spite of it all, Snape continued to love Lily. It is his love that that caused his remorse and agony when he learned of Voldemort’s intent to kill the Potters. Snape retained enough compassion and humanity that he had no stomach for killing and torturing people, especially people who were half-bloods such as himself or muggle-borns like Lily. Dumbledore continually reminds us of the power of love and its ability to overcome adversity and evil. Love for Lily is what kept Snape from surrendering himself to Voldemort.
I find it incredibly interesting in crafting and writing the consecutive chapters, "The Cave" and "The Lightning-Struck Tower," that JKR cleverly structures the earlier chapter to foreshadow the later chapter. Both Harry and Snape act in ways that can be interpreted as following Dumbledore’s orders, and identical verbiage is used to describe both Harry and Snape’s emotions as they are commanded to do the unthinkable. The following describes Harry when he forces Dumbledore to drink the potion: "Hating himself, repulsed by what he was doing, Harry forced the goblet back toward Dumbledore's mouth and tipped it.” p. 571. Snape is described as follows right before he kills Dumbledore: "Snape gazed for a moment at Dumbledore, and there was revulsion and hatred etched in the harsh lines of his face." p. 595. I must admit I believe Snape was acting according to Dumbledore’s instructions and is no longer loyal to Voldemort. Snape hates Harry, he hates James, but he always loved Lily and continues to be loyal to Dumbledore in spite of killing him.
In the final book of the Harry Potter series, the remaining portion of Snape's story will unfold. In book six, Harry learned more from the Half-Blood Prince through his potions book than he learned from any other teacher. In Snape's first DADA lesson, Snape attempts to teach Harry and his fellow students how to execute spells without a wand. Even when Snape and Harry are fleeing Hogwart's, Snape continues taunt Harry telling Harry what he has to learn to succeed against Snape and the Death Eaters. "Blocked again and again and again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter." p. 603.
It will require immense talent and skill to break the magic protecting each of the remaining Horcruxes. Dumbledore, who was the greatest wizard of his time, lost his hand obtaining one Horcrux and was almost killed in his effort to obtain the other. Dumbledore might well have died had Draco and the Death Eaters not drawn him to the Astrology tower. One of the Death Eater even comments on Dumbledore's pale and weak condition. "He's not long for this world anyway, if you ask me!" said the lopsided man..." p. 594. Harry must learn a great deal before he will be powerful enough to crack the magic and destroy the remaining four Horcruxes and defeat Voldemort. Snape is the one person remaining who understands Voldemort’s mind and has the knowledge and expertise to help Harry. Harry will have to learn to trust Snape and become his student again before he will have the skills to defeat Voldemort. Snape will have to set aside his hatred of James to help and teach Harry to vanquish the Dark Lord. In spite of their differences, love drives and motivates them both.
Harry believes he knows why Snape betrayed his parents to Voldemort and joined Dumbledore in his fight against the Dark Lord. In understanding Snape, however, Harry has it wrong - at least partially wrong. After Dumbledore's death, Remus Lupin, Professor McGonnagall, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and others are in the hospital wing discussing why Dumbledore was so certain of Snape’s loyalty. Harry is convinced he knows the reason and shares the following with his friends:
“‘I know," said Harry, and they all turned to look at him. ‘Snape passed Voldemort the information that made Voldemort hunt down my mum and dad. Then Snape told Dumbledore that he hadn't realized what he was doing, he was really sorry he' done it, sorry that they were all dead.’...’And he didn't think my mother was worth a damn either.’ said Harry, ‘because she was Muggle-born...'Mudblood,' he called her...’” p. 616 (American edition)
I am convinced Harry has Snape’s story only partially correct. Snape did tell Voldemort about the prophecy, but Harry is wrong about Snape's feelings for Lily. I think Snape cared a lot more about Lily than Harry realizes. Dumbledore acknowledges how much Snape regretted his decision to tell Voldemort about the prophecy. "I believe it to be the greatest regret of his life and the reason he returned-" p. 549. However, Harry interrupts Dumbledore before he had finished his sentence. Harry again questions Dumbledore:
"How can you be sure Snape is on our side?"
Dumbledore did not speak for a moment; he looked as though he was trying to make up his mind about something. At last he said, "I am sure. I trust Severus Snape completely." p. 549.
It appears Dumbledore was thinking about telling Harry something more about Severus and his reasons for leaving Voldemort, but chose not to. Perhaps, Dumbledore had given Severus his word that he would never reveal Snape’s reasons for leaving Voldemort.
I think Severus loved Lily. He clearly hated James. Although he knew them both, it would not explain his distress and anguish in learning Voldemort’s plan to hunt them down and kill them. Loving Lily, however, would certainly provide more a credible explanation for his decision to leave the Dark Lord. Everyone listening to Harry’s explanation "seemed to be lost in horrified shock, trying to digest the monstrous truth of what happened." p, 617. They are so shocked by Dumbledore's death that nobody questions Harry’s assertions about Snape’s feelings for Lily. As readers, JKR is manipulating her readers to accept Harry's explanation as valid and accurate.
In the chapter "Flight of the Prince", as Harry battles Snape, Snape makes a very interesting comment to Harry. Harry attempts to use the Sectumsempra spell against Snape, and Snape responds angrily, "You dare use my own spells against me, Potter? It was I who invented them - I, the Half-Blood Prince! And you'd turn my inventions on me, like your filthy father, would you? I don't think so...no!" p. 604. From Harry’s potion book, we know Snape invented the Levicorpus spell, the Sectumsempra spell and many others. We also know James Potter used the Levicorpus spell to publicly humiliate Snape in front of Sirus, Lupin, Lily and a number of other Hogwart’s students. When Lily attempted to help Snape, he called her a filthy little mudblood. Perhaps this is the event that turned Lily away from Snape permanently. It was some time after this that she started dating James. Snape who was only a half-blood, hated James Potter the pure blood - who ultimately married Lily, had the popularity and respect from the other students, and who took recognition for the spells Snape invented. In spite of it all, Snape continued to love Lily. It is his love that that caused his remorse and agony when he learned of Voldemort’s intent to kill the Potters. Snape retained enough compassion and humanity that he had no stomach for killing and torturing people, especially people who were half-bloods such as himself or muggle-borns like Lily. Dumbledore continually reminds us of the power of love and its ability to overcome adversity and evil. Love for Lily is what kept Snape from surrendering himself to Voldemort.
I find it incredibly interesting in crafting and writing the consecutive chapters, "The Cave" and "The Lightning-Struck Tower," that JKR cleverly structures the earlier chapter to foreshadow the later chapter. Both Harry and Snape act in ways that can be interpreted as following Dumbledore’s orders, and identical verbiage is used to describe both Harry and Snape’s emotions as they are commanded to do the unthinkable. The following describes Harry when he forces Dumbledore to drink the potion: "Hating himself, repulsed by what he was doing, Harry forced the goblet back toward Dumbledore's mouth and tipped it.” p. 571. Snape is described as follows right before he kills Dumbledore: "Snape gazed for a moment at Dumbledore, and there was revulsion and hatred etched in the harsh lines of his face." p. 595. I must admit I believe Snape was acting according to Dumbledore’s instructions and is no longer loyal to Voldemort. Snape hates Harry, he hates James, but he always loved Lily and continues to be loyal to Dumbledore in spite of killing him.
In the final book of the Harry Potter series, the remaining portion of Snape's story will unfold. In book six, Harry learned more from the Half-Blood Prince through his potions book than he learned from any other teacher. In Snape's first DADA lesson, Snape attempts to teach Harry and his fellow students how to execute spells without a wand. Even when Snape and Harry are fleeing Hogwart's, Snape continues taunt Harry telling Harry what he has to learn to succeed against Snape and the Death Eaters. "Blocked again and again and again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter." p. 603.
It will require immense talent and skill to break the magic protecting each of the remaining Horcruxes. Dumbledore, who was the greatest wizard of his time, lost his hand obtaining one Horcrux and was almost killed in his effort to obtain the other. Dumbledore might well have died had Draco and the Death Eaters not drawn him to the Astrology tower. One of the Death Eater even comments on Dumbledore's pale and weak condition. "He's not long for this world anyway, if you ask me!" said the lopsided man..." p. 594. Harry must learn a great deal before he will be powerful enough to crack the magic and destroy the remaining four Horcruxes and defeat Voldemort. Snape is the one person remaining who understands Voldemort’s mind and has the knowledge and expertise to help Harry. Harry will have to learn to trust Snape and become his student again before he will have the skills to defeat Voldemort. Snape will have to set aside his hatred of James to help and teach Harry to vanquish the Dark Lord. In spite of their differences, love drives and motivates them both.