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Hi, everyone! It's been a long time, I know, but I've just come across something I wanted to respond to, and this seemed like an appropriate place. Here it is.
The other day, while looking for sporking, I glanced at some reviews of DH on amazon. In a comment to a negative review, someone said, quite innocently, "Why is Severus brave? I know Harry says he's the bravest man he ever knew, but why? He doesn't do anything brave."
As I say, this was a completely sincere and innocent remark. I did not respond, because a person who cannot actually see Severus's bravery in canon certainly won't be persuaded of it in an amazon conversation.
To me, there is no question that Severus is not only a hero, but one of only two or three real heroes in the books. This is because he has courage enough to change direction, no matter how haltingly. He has courage enough to apologize when he's wrong. The only other people I can remember showing this sort of heroism - personal and moral growth - are Neville Longbottom and, interestingly enough, Ron.
That he has great physical courage is also obvious. For years, he faces down Voldemort and lies to him, knowing that he will be killed if he makes even a slight mistake.
Finally, as Terri_Testing points out, this young man, who seems to long for validation and love, has courage enough to make himself an outcast repeatedly, in order to protect Harry and his mission.
So that's what I think, very briefly. What do you think? I'd guess most of us do see Severus as a hero. If you do, why? And if not, why not? Finally, do you think there is any chance of persuading someone who doesn't see it of this character's essential bravery? (Because I'd think even those - like his creator - who don't see him as a hero, can still see that he's very brave. Being brave and being heroic are two different things, after all.)
The other day, while looking for sporking, I glanced at some reviews of DH on amazon. In a comment to a negative review, someone said, quite innocently, "Why is Severus brave? I know Harry says he's the bravest man he ever knew, but why? He doesn't do anything brave."
As I say, this was a completely sincere and innocent remark. I did not respond, because a person who cannot actually see Severus's bravery in canon certainly won't be persuaded of it in an amazon conversation.
To me, there is no question that Severus is not only a hero, but one of only two or three real heroes in the books. This is because he has courage enough to change direction, no matter how haltingly. He has courage enough to apologize when he's wrong. The only other people I can remember showing this sort of heroism - personal and moral growth - are Neville Longbottom and, interestingly enough, Ron.
That he has great physical courage is also obvious. For years, he faces down Voldemort and lies to him, knowing that he will be killed if he makes even a slight mistake.
Finally, as Terri_Testing points out, this young man, who seems to long for validation and love, has courage enough to make himself an outcast repeatedly, in order to protect Harry and his mission.
So that's what I think, very briefly. What do you think? I'd guess most of us do see Severus as a hero. If you do, why? And if not, why not? Finally, do you think there is any chance of persuading someone who doesn't see it of this character's essential bravery? (Because I'd think even those - like his creator - who don't see him as a hero, can still see that he's very brave. Being brave and being heroic are two different things, after all.)
surprised