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Wow, excellent essay! I know I've said this before, but I was horrified by Dumbledore's response to Snape's plea to save Lily. The focus of his love may be narrow and self-centered at this point, but it's a step in the right direction, especially for someone like Snape. (I don't think it's very realistic to expect a troubled, neglected boy who fell in with wrong crowd to suddenly turn into a saint.) Like you, I would have expected Dumbledore to recognize this and nurture that impulse, and guide him in the right direction. Wouldn't it have been better if Snape had served the Order wholeheartedly, rather than being blackmailed into it? Ah, but then Dumbledore would not have retained absolute control over Snape.
And the same people who castigate Snape for only caring about Lily should remember that Mr. Lovegood did essentially the same thing--he protected Luna at the trio's expense. Most readers don't condone his actions, but they do seem to have some sympathy for him, and I've never heard anyone say, "Xenophilius is such a selfish bastard for only caring about Luna!"
And I do agree that Snape's reply to Dumbledore's question of "Have you grown to care for the boy, after all?" cannot be taken solely at face value. Why on earth would he want to expose more vulnerabilities to the man who has just betrayed him?
The one thing I still wonder about is why Snape remained "Dumbledore's man" even after this betrayal. Because he is more honorable than Dumbledore, and stands by his sworn word even though the one he made the promise to may not be deserving of his loyalty? Or because he's gained a broader sense of morality, beyond protecting Lily's memory, and reluctantly agrees that Voldemort must be stopped at any cost?
And the same people who castigate Snape for only caring about Lily should remember that Mr. Lovegood did essentially the same thing--he protected Luna at the trio's expense. Most readers don't condone his actions, but they do seem to have some sympathy for him, and I've never heard anyone say, "Xenophilius is such a selfish bastard for only caring about Luna!"
And I do agree that Snape's reply to Dumbledore's question of "Have you grown to care for the boy, after all?" cannot be taken solely at face value. Why on earth would he want to expose more vulnerabilities to the man who has just betrayed him?
The one thing I still wonder about is why Snape remained "Dumbledore's man" even after this betrayal. Because he is more honorable than Dumbledore, and stands by his sworn word even though the one he made the promise to may not be deserving of his loyalty? Or because he's gained a broader sense of morality, beyond protecting Lily's memory, and reluctantly agrees that Voldemort must be stopped at any cost?