What Rowling Says
Rowling herself has said a little about Snape's character in her multitudes of interviews. With courtesy of the QuickQuotes website, I bring you what she says...
Original transcripts in Green my notes in Silver
new 2004 JK Rowling live web chat for World Book Day (selected questions)
Ernie: I wonder if you can let us know what form will Professor Snape's Boggart and Patronus take? I am very curious.
JK Rowling replies -> Well, I'm not going to tell you Ernie, but that's because it would give so much away. I wonder whether Ernie is your real name? (It was my grandfather's).
Kyla: What made Sirius decide to send Snape to the Willow?
JK Rowling replies -> Because Sirius loathed Snape (and the feeling was entirely mutual). You'll find out more about this in due course.
Ali: Why specifically does Dumbledore trust Snape?
JK Rowling replies -> Another excellent and non-answerable question. I shall merely say that Snape has given Dumbledore his story and Dumbledore believes it.
Megan: Is there a link between Snape and vampires?
JK Rowling replies -> Erm... I don't think so.
The boggart\patronus question is something bugging me, but since she won't even answer it here, it MUST be important to understanding Snape. I am excited that we are going to learn more about the Sirius\Snape animosity, because Sirius'justification for sending Snape to the Willow always seemed a little weak.
A hint, then, as to the trust issue. My question is...what's the story?
And the Snape-is-a-vampire theory is DEAD! Thank you!!! I for one am happy that the rumor has been dispelled.
The Connection 12 October 1999 J.K. Rowling Interview Transcript(Transcript Courtesy Sugarquill.net's Transcription Project )
The Connection: What about Snape?
JKR: Snape is a very sadistic teacher, loosely based on a teacher I myself had, I have to say. I think children are very aware and we are kidding ourselves if we don't think that they are, that teachers do sometimes abuse their power and this particular teacher does abuse his power. He's not a particularly pleasant person at all. However, everyone should keep their eye on Snape, I'll just say that because there is more to him than meets the eye and you will find out part of what I am talking about if you read Book 4. No, I'm not trying to drum up more sales, go to the library and get it out. I'd rather people read it.
TC: One of our internet correspondents wondered if Snape is going to fall in love.
JKR: (JKR laughs) Who on earth would want Snape in love with them? That's a very horrible idea.
TC: There's an important kind of redemptive pattern to Snape
JKR: He, um, there's so much I wish I could say to you, and I can't because it would ruin. I promise you, whoever asked that question, can I just say to you that I'm slightly stunned that you've said that and you'll find out why I'm so stunned if you read Book 7. That's all I'm going to say.
This confirms much of what I had deduced about Snape's character -- that he does abuse his power. What I find of note is that JKR is both astonished that someone would want Snape in love with them and perhaps the biggest clue - that she is stunned. This provides plenty of meat for speculation.
Family Education Summer 1999 Harry Potter Author Works Her Magic Katy Abel
Q: Who's your favorite character besides Harry Potter?
A: It's very hard to choose. It's fun to write about Snape because he's a deeply horrible person. Hagrid is someone I'd love to meet.
"Deeply horrible". Considering this is coming from the author, it says a lot. Sometimes I feel that Snapeists tend to not maintain a completely objective view of his actions. [I confess I am speaking of myself also]. Such words remind us to remember much of him is horrible.
Amazon UK ca. 1999 Magic, Mystery, and Mayhem: An Interview with J.K.
Amazon.co.uk: Are your characters based on people you know?
Rowling: Some of them are, but I have to be extremely careful what I say about this. Mostly, real people inspire a character, but once they are inside your head they start turning into something quite different. Professor Snape and Gilderoy Lockhart both started as exaggerated versions of people I've met, but became rather different once I got them on the page.
The thing that perhaps strikes me is that Snape started out exaggerated, but then turned into the Snape we all know (and some of us love). Tells me that people like Snape and Lockhart do exist.
Barnes and Noble Chat 20 October 2000
Q: Why does Professor Dumbledore allow Professor Snape to be so nasty to the students (especially to Harry, Hermione, and Neville)?
A: Dumbledore believes there are all sorts of lessons in life; horrible teachers like Snape are one of them!
This confirms my thought that Snape and the other teachers are not there just to teach their subjects -- they are lessons in life -- as I so detail in my Lessons In Life: Harry Potter as the Modern Myth.
Press Club 20 October 1999 J.K. Rowling Interview Transcript Transcript Courtesy Sugarquill.net's Transcription Project
SB: Why in the first book does Harry's lightening scar flash, or when he gets his lightening scar flash, when Snape looks at him?
JKR: Snape.
SB: Snape.
JKR: Okay, this is a… [laughter]
SB: I have a problem as well!
JKR: He's sleep deprived, he's got five-month old twins. Um… *exasperated noise* If anyone hasn't finished reading book one, would they please put their fingers really tightly in their ears now, if they don't want the ending ruined? Really tightly now, cause this is a question about the ending. Um…Quirrell had the back of his head to Harry at the point when Harry looked at Snape, so someone else was looking at Harry through a certain turban. See what I mean? If you've read it, you understand, and if you haven't read it, you're going what? But that's okay.
Well, think about it! The very first time he makes eye contact with Snape, the scar caused by the person who wants him dead hurts! No wonder he thinks (in the 1st book) that Snape is the evil factor. This just confirms what is only inferred in the first book.
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