Snape's Sanctum Sanctorum

Theories

Random theories about Snape's character, using literary analysis

BOOKMARKS TO:

Why he's at Hogwarts
Why he insults Hermione
Why Snape could die (and it would make sense)
Why he wears black
Why he could become the next Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher
new! Why Snape enforces his dominance during the Occlumency lessons

1. Why he's at Hogwarts.
Protection from Voldemort, of course. But we know that there is a more practical reason, as he so adamantly states:
" 'YOU CAN'T APPARATE OR DISAPPERATE INSIDE THIS CASTLE!' "(bk 3, pg 419).
Not being able to Apparate or Disapperate in the castle gives him a logical reason to not go when he is called- there is a logical reasoning behind his not apperating (that is, the spells on Hogwarts prevent it).
Sure, this could result in hostility from the DE's and Voldemort, but Snape doesn't care.
Also, there could be a spell or something that apparates someone else from a location, much like the Accio spell, except for people. Him being at Hogwarts could prevent such a spell being used.
Of course, there is his emotional attachment to Dumbledore, but that's obvious.

2. Why he insults Hermione.
THEORY A. Snape is so much like Hermione, its not funny. He sees that she wants to gain knowedge purely for accceptance, perhaps as compensation for her disadvantages. Snape sees her as such, and hates the fact that she does. She is probably the most proficent in Potions (probably, because we have never seen specific scores in that class, as compared to Charms), and has much potential. And since Snape, the embodiment of Logic and Power as connected to Knowedge, sees the Logic and Knowedge in Granger, but no Power, he's mad that such recourses are not being used. So, being the engimatic character he is, he attacks using a different means- her looks.
OR:
THEORY B. He feels power by his superior knowedge, and that his mastery of the knowedge is being used as a rod of power over the ones who truely see it as an enemy- students. But Miss Granger, who is very close to mastering the Knowedge, is that thorn in the side- the one that won't conform. It embodies the enigma that is Snape when the one of the few who appreciates Snape is the one that is hurt and targeted the most. So- he can't hurt Miss Granger by knowedge so he'll resort to blatent physical insults.

I know that in the 5th book he does not insult Granger, merely passes her by, but I still wonder about the incident in the fourth book. He might have sompley been a little ornery than usual that day.

3. Why Snape could die in the end.(and it would make sense)

Rowling has furthered the theme of sacrifice in many fashions, from Harry's mother sacficing herself, to Dumbledore sacrificing "the lives that might be lost if the plan failed." (bk 5, pg 838). Indeed, Rowling has built up the animosity of Snape\Harry to a climax, to the point that Harry now hates Snape irrationally. Actually, if one looks at the dynamics of the Snape\Harry relationship, one can see Harry, who might be a little appreciative with Snape saving his life in the 1st book, is now concentrating and basing his like\dislike of Snape on Snape's outward behavior. Of course Snape is not the best person to get along with--he invites animosty.This is the basis of their relationship. In the 5th book, of course, Snape takes on a more dominate position in Harry's life, by teaching him Occlumency. Within these lessons, Harry learns about himself--and Snape. Rowling has elevated Snape's position to one of teacher, not just in the literal sense but in the metaphorical sense as well. In short, Harry learns that Snape is human, and even though "his scar always hurt worse after lessons with him," they helped.

Why do I mention all this? Because there is a point in a student's life when he has learned no more from the teacher-- he must go out and explore and make his own sense of the world. And believe it or not, I feel that Snape is one of those fundamental teachers; he's been here since the beginning, and his behavior has taught Harry (jumping to conclusions and the power of logic come to mind here). And so, the last lesson a teacher can teach is the final one--of death.

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4. Why he wears black.

Besides the interesting connotations black has on a person's phyche, as developed in my Physical Features Analysis, one should also think of when people wear black in real life. I had a revelation today in English, when we read this series of lines from Hamlet:

"Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,
Nor customary suits of solemn black,
Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,
No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,
Nor the dejected havior of the visage,
Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief,
That can denote me truely." (Act 1, Scene2, Lines 80-86).

He's in mourning! Why didn't I see it before? Why else does the persistant black, the 'inky cloak', pervay onto his mood? He could be in mourning. Now, I have not seen any evidence in the book for that, but I do remember in an interview with JKR when someone asked her if Snape ever likes Lily, she said something to the effect that we [as readers] would be sorry we ever made that connection.

5. Whether he will ever become the Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher.

I have several reasons to believe that he will become the next DADA teacher:

It is said in OotP that Harry did better in his OWL Potions test, but he did not do well enough to get an Outstanding on his test -I mean to say that what he produced was probably not up to Snape's standing. [My supposition. I mean, he did make mistakes.] This supports my point only if you believe that Snape is an essential teacher in Harry's life [ie, he must be in a teaching position to Harry thorughout the series]. So, because Harry probably did not attain an 'O', but did attain a high score on his DADA test (I wouldn't expect anything less that 'O' -- look at all his practice), and the idea that the Harry\Snape relationship must continue in class, it is possible that he will take the position, only to continue his purpose.
Dumbledore is in quite a position with the DADA teachers. If he can no longer trust the Ministry of Magic, and if he cannot no longer gain applicants for the position, then he might have to swallow his fears about putting Snape in a position which might 'bring out the worst in him' merely to fill this position with someone he can trust.
If one notices the distance of the DADA teachers, they start from very distant from the school to personal. Quirrel was just an applicant. Lockhart was hired because he was famous. Lupin was an alumni of the school who owed Dumbledore big time. Moody is one of Dumbledore's confidances within the Ministry who worked with Dumbledore on the Order. And Umbridge was someone the Minsitry forced upon him. It seems to me that if the pattern continues, then the next DADA teacher will be someone Dumbledore trusts. (Like Snape).

6. Why Snape enforces his dominance during the Occlumency lessons.

THEORY A. Consider the following plot point: Harry was lured out of school to the Department of Mysteries because he thought Sirius was in mortal danger. Later we find out this was just a ruse that Voldemort used to get Harry out and to get the prophecy. It was successful because through he knew Sirius was on the Order, he did not know that the one thing he cared most about was Harry. Thus, Voldemort manipulated Harry's feelings by showing him images of Sirius in danger so he would threaten himself and help Sirius, thus helping Voldemort.

Also notice how this idea is reinforced by Dumbledore's justification for staying away from Harry.
"I realized that if he realized that our relationship was -- or had ever been -- closer than that of headmaster and pupil, he would seize his chance to use you as a means to spy on me (828)." We know there is some connection between him and Voldemort -- it had been proven countless times.

My question is, why can't this apply to Harry's relationship with Snape?

It has been established in one way or another that Snape does care about Harry's welfare. And it would be dangerous for everyone if Voldemort found out that Snape had anything but a professional relationship with Harry.

[Get your minds out of the gutters, please. You know what I mean.]

If Voldemort found out that one of his Death Eaters was actually involved in protecting the boy he has sworn to kill, then it is over for the cause, Dumbledore loses a valuable spy, and you can imagine Snape's life would not be worth a cent. This is the chance Snape takes when he gives his Occlumency lessons to Potter.

So this reasoning could explain the emphasis on the distance of the professional relationship in the first Occlumency lesson [starting with the line " 'This may not be an ordinary class, Potter,' said Snape, his eyes narrowed malevolently, 'but I am still your teacher and you will therefore call me 'sir' or Professor' at all times (530)'" and the instance for him to finish his thought " 'Do not interrupt me Potter,' said Snape in a dangerous voice (532)" ].

THEORY B. It could also be for the simple fact that Snape does not want Potter treating this like a game, that these lessons should be taken as seriously as his Potions lessons. (And then the question becomes whether Potter takes his Potions work seriously, which I would not be surprised if Snape answers in an emphatic 'no'.).

Got any theories of your own? email me.Especially if you think I'm off my rocker and reading way too deeply into this book.

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