Snape: A Definitive Reading

by Lorrie Kim

“Foolish wand-waving” is the first indication in the series that Snape’s magical signature is self-sufficiency, magic not dependent on wands or incantations or anything outside the power of the solitary mind.

But even the barbs hint at one of Rowling’s more buried themes: the loneliness of the gifted.

This entire volume is about the danger of dormant resentments that can be awakened in an atmosphere of suspicion.

empathy is the basis of powerful magic.

Azkaban is guarded by dementors, creatures who fill people’s minds with their worst memories and suppress the good memories. The Ministry suspects that Sirius is headed to Hogwarts and sends dementors there to track him. As long as the dementors are on the grounds, everyone at Hogwarts is at greater risk of being overwhelmed by their worst memories.

Prisoners of Azkaban live in two temporal realities: one in real time and another trapped in their minds. This is like what happens to survivors of trauma when they are in flashback: they lose awareness of the present moment because the terrible memory they’re reliving feels more real.

She soon learns, in her third year, that a doubled school day is not sustainable. Harry notices that she looks “almost as tired as Lupin.” (HP/PoA, 251) This serves as a comment on privilege. Those with disabilities, such as Lupin, or oppressed minorities, such as Hermione, must work much harder than their peers to stand any chance of holding their own.

his good intentions are obscured by his personal ill will,

At the end, Snape is literally knocked out for the part of the story that disproves his worst suspicions and sees only that once again, a Potter’s involvement has helped Sirius get away with attempted murder. As far as Snape knows, nothing has changed.