Iser
argues that “expectations are scarcely ever fulfilled in truly literary texts.”
This concept applies very closely to the Harry Potter series. In both books 1
& 2, Rowling creates an ambiguous identity for Snape. Harry suspects Snape to be the main culprit
involved in the heist of the Sorcerer’s Stone, and he also suspects that he may
know something about the attacks involving the Chamber of Secrets.
As each
book goes on, much of the evidence found by Harry proves itself wrong. For example,
when Harry finds Snape limping and cursing in The Sorcerer’s Stone, he
quickly assumes that Snape is a main suspect. Snape’s perceived hatred of
Harry, his bland personality, and his temperament all build him up to appear as
a villain. However, at the end of the book, Harry realizes that all of Snape’s “suspicious”
actions were simply a misunderstanding.
Even
though Snape appears evil and has a dark personality, he still attempts to help
Harry when he is in trouble. For example, when Harry was cursed in his Quidditch
match, Snape attempts to counter the curses created by Quirell. To ensure Harry
is safe in his next Quidditch match, Snape volunteers to referee Harry’s next
match.
By
constantly building up and destroying expectations about Snape, Rowling creates
an ambiguous identity for Snape and establishes him as a complex character. In
doing so, Rowling implies that Snape will become a crucial character in the
whole series. The readers want to have their expectations of Snape fulfilled,
but Rowling keeps the readers wanting to know more.
- This is so hard to write without giving out spoilers!!!!
It definitely is difficult to discuss Snape without giving any spoilers, but I think you've done a great job. I agree that Snape possesses a sense of complicated moral ambiguity in this series which is apparent even in the first two books. In my opinion, Snape is one of the most complex characters in this series because he is so hard to pinpoint on a polar spectrum. Whereas it is safe to assume that Dumbledore is good and Voldemort is evil, Snape occupies that interesting space between the two extremes. He is clearly capable of good (like in your examples about the quidditch matches) but he is still unpleasant and spiteful.
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