The concept of
time is manipulated and used in unconventional ways throughout the Harry Potter
series. This is reflected in the use of
the Time-Turner in The Prisoner of Azkaban, which allowed for time to loop
itself and remain impressionable, the Pensieve, which could play back
inflexible memories, the blips in the Occlumency lessons, which impede upon
private memories, and plainly represented in the ghosts, which seem to defy the
existence of time. J.K. Rowling employs a structure of narrative that allows for
the reader to gain insight to the previous lives of the already developed adult
characters through such avenues.
Snape is portrayed
as a beacon of intimidation during the early years of Hogwarts. From the demeaning sneer to the billowing
black cloak, J.K. Rowling designates Snape as the most tangible
antagonist. He appears steadily involved
in Harry’s life, yet his disgust for “the Chosen One” remains resolute. We are given an idea in the earlier novels
that Snape is indebted to James, but otherwise we had no other reason to
believe his hatred towards Harry is warranted or that his story has much weight
in the plot. The reader accepts Snape as
a static character -- one that represents an obstacle for Harry, but nothing
beyond that. When we are finally exposed
to a scene from Professor Snape’s childhood during the Occlumency lessons, we
are introduced to a student named Severus.
Severus is not intimidating, but rejected. He is portrayed as a loner. Severus is bullied and is vulnerable. This scene melodically shifts from the pity
the viewer feels towards young Severus to familiar loathing towards Snivellus
as he insults Lily. This short memory
perfectly epitomized the character development of Snape. We will always have trouble discovering where
his loyalties lie because, due to his past experiences with abuse and bloodline
pressures, he is forced to be loyal only to himself.
Kelly Duff
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