Physical Features Analysis

No doubt many of us Snapists have tried to emulate his movements. We walk, speak, dress, even sneer the same way. Though we have all memorized his physical characteristics, have you really tried to discern why they occur? Well, I had some disturbing revelations...

Bookmarks to:
BOOK hair * facial expressions * clothing * robes
MOVIE clothes * hair

His hair: I recently got my hair cut like his (in the book- NOT MOVIE! and I am not ashamed). Instead of pulling it up, or at least tucking it behind my ears, I tried to let it hang, loose, as I proceeded throughout the day. It is actually really hard to let the hair create a curtain and resist the urge to move it as one perform activities (read, eat, do lab experiments). Actually, it was easiest to see when I was moving, because the force of my movement would move the hair just enough to see clearly. And perhaps the most startling realization is that when the hair hangs down, it creates a border, narrowing the view. It is like an unnecessary burden, because with a simple movement, such as cutting the hair, everything is clearer.

Also, try eating. It is very difficult without pulling the hair up, because it gets in your mouth, in your food, everywhere. And its not very attractive either. I tried this just today, and people would give me weird looks as my hair hung in my face, mustard getting on my hair, me eating both the fish sandwich and the the ends of my hair. I was very self-conscious.

Perhaps this is why people always latch on and remember Snape's hair. It is a contradiction in itself- the most expressive part of the body is being hidden, and there is a deliberate blocking of the senses.

And no matter what you think- I think Snape is very self-conscious. See his exits and entrances. And I always get a little miffed when I read a fan-fic when they describe Snape as not caring what people are thinking of him. He, like other melancholics, ALWAYS care (and know) that someone, somewhere, is insulting them.

His facial expressions:: Do you realize how hard it is to maintain such an unfriendly face? At least for me, holding an expression such as Snape's is an effort. I can actually feel my muscles tense when I go to sneer in the mirror. But, really, to maintain the tension, one either has let the emotions rule, and we do it subconsciously, or we work at it, or we get used to the tension as we keep on the mask. Take your pick. All three could be argued.

His clothing: Really, wearing all black isn't that difficult, right? I mean, wearing it once in a while, like many Snapists do, might make us think we get the idea, but it isn't enough. Making black an integral part of your wardrobe, wearing solid black for a week will do it. I did, and I must say, I felt I stuck out like a sore thumb. When others wore blues and greens, I in all black felt separated. It's like I chose to be separated from the group, from humanity. Or when I was depressed (its not just the black, I get depressed a lot, its part of the wonderful teenager experience), the black seemed to accentuate my depression. Also, looking in the mirror, I noticed how the black actually drew attention to my hands and my face. I noticed (with some delight) that with the attention drawn to my hands, I was more inclined to make graceful, almost artistic movements. Are these the same things Snape thinks? We could deduce, but unless JKR does something weird and change to Snape's first person (or have Snape tell Harry, hahaha) we will not know for sure.

Someone mentioned in an email that Snape would not wear regular pants; it seems that men as well as women wear robes [" 'I like a healthy breeze 'round my privates, thanks' (GoF, pg 84).]

His robes (specifically): His characteristic "billowing" robes might indicate something, but probably not. The adjective 'billowing' though implies a quick moment, which for Snape, means he's always on the move, quick, and very sure of his movement. Why else would his robes billow?

(Also, do you realize how fast one has to go to actually have their clothes billow? I'll just say this from personal experience: I had on a long jacket on one day, one that hung 6 or so inches below my waist. It hung loose and cool. I got mad at a friend during class. When I stood up and walked over to the other side of the room, I actually felt the jacket "billow." Now, I know the billowing wasn't to the extent of Snape's, but what matters was the emotion behind it. I was in a hurry (the argument was due to an incompetent classmate), so to perhaps show that I was serious about the work, I retrieved the book with a little more speed than really needed. Maybe Snape is being driven by a strong emotion. Maybe he merely has things to do and people to see, and doesn't have time to lollygag around. Whatever the reason, the billowing robes say more than his words ever could.)

His clothes: Just wonderful. I notice the collar first- high, almost to the chin. It indicates almost a forced unpleasantness, and perhaps that he's hiding a particularly vulnerable organ- the throat. (and yes, it could also be because he's hiding the vampire thing- but remember, we have no direct evidence). I can relate because I have a black jacket with a really high collar (like a guy's work shirt) which I love and wear everyday. I get the same idea that I am protecting something of mine, that I'm putting up defenses (but I can attest that I am not a vampire.)

The costume people continue this with having buttons down his shirt. Buttons themselves indicate a defense, in comparison to a regular shirt. Its the act of doing up the buttons which is sending a mental message that I am involved in my defenses- perhaps even that I'm doing something to prepare myself. I can only relate because that's what I think when I wear my shirts- which upon reflection are almost all button-up.

The buttons continue though. When we see the shots of his legs (in the first film) I notice that they're covered not by slacks- but of the type that button-up. They also go all the way down and cover half the shoe! I mean, isn't that excessive? I just noticed that the buttons continue unnecessarily. Or isn't that the point?

Also notice how far his sleeves go- to damn-near covering his palm. What does this say? Covering up to be sure, but we also notice his fingers more- the exacting nature of movement.

But the costume isn't completely black- there is the hint of white from the sleeves and the collar. Its like the white is trying to get out. Sign of his goodness trying to get out? Perhaps.

His hair: Fine in the movie, exactly as I saw it from the book, but there was an annoying part flipped out away from the rest of the hair. It annoyed me, disturbed the image of immaculate, trained hair that I thought Snape had. I suppose that the incongruence can say something about his character, but I doubt it. It was probably the wig. It annoyed me, I don't know about anyone else. (It made me think of more of a girl's haircut! Ha! LOL!)

A further note: The only reason I think the costume designers had the majority of male characters wear pants was because they figured the viewing public would have trouble visualizing males wearing "dresses." I guess that to the movie people, it would serve as an unnecessary distraction to the plot. All I know is, that a person living in the 21st century, I have trouble visualizing males in robes (and not laughing).