[caltheous]

Raised in a Muggle Neighbourhood
By Nadia M
Junior Essay

Abstract:
A compare and contrast of growing up with the Snapes and growing up with the Dursleys. Harry and Snape go through many of the same feelings and hardships during their childhood. Their families differ in their relationship with each other, degree of abuse, and the attitude Harry and Snape have towards them.

Biography:
Nadia M is a high school student from the United States with a love for reading, writing, and of course, Harry Potter. She has been a Harry Potter fan since 2000 and a Harry Potter fanatic since 2006. She prides herself on knowing all of the Harry Potter character's birthdays by heart and finding the typos on her first read of Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows.

You can read the essay here.
Nadia has one previously published essay, called "Malfoy's Misgivings", which you can read here.

This post has been edited by caltheous: 28 March 2009 - 06:53 PM

[syren]

It should be noted that severe neglect, such as Harry experiences in cycles, is also considered a form of child abuse. It is well documented that neglect in early childhood can cause physical and emotional failure to thrive and even infant death. Of course, Severus seems to also be a victim of neglect, evidenced not only by the lack of proper clothing and hygiene oversight but also by the fact that he apparently is in the habit of wandering around town by himself at a fairly young age.

[Loader Lady]

I used to wonder why Harry was such a loving person growing up the way he did, then I thought Lily's sacrifice must have left her love inside Harry. Even though he was horribly neglected, Lily's love was still there protecting him just as it protected the house against Voldemort.

[kamion]

what I never understood, was how a mere Muggle-husband managed to dominate his witch-wife in the obstructive way suggested; Tobias Snape is neither goodlooking nor well to do to keep a woman in thrall or adoration like Riddle Sr. did to Merope Gaunt. There was a witch who had grown up in a situation that male violence against women was standard, nevertheless this rather weak woman relied on witchcraft to keep her husband under controll for a long time.
The background of Eileen Prince is not given, so we must assume it was a normal domestic situation she came from. Sure is herself isn't a looker, not pretty enough to catch a good wizard, but not being beautiful does not make one weak. She does seem to have skills, and one may expect enough magical skills to defend herself.
Yet she is only portrayed as defenseless. DH made clear that Tobias knows his wife is a witch and that he disapproves witchcraft.
No big wonder of course, should his wife wisk her wand once he could end up as a Bobbit. Why does she not do it, why did Severus not do anything if the situation was so desperate as suggested.
What is Tonias' force? I don't get it.

[expectopatronum7]

kamion, on 19 April 2009 - 11:18 AM, said:

what I never understood, was how a mere Muggle-husband managed to dominate his witch-wife in the obstructive way suggested; Tobias Snape is neither goodlooking nor well to do to keep a woman in thrall or adoration like Riddle Sr. did to Merope Gaunt. There was a witch who had grown up in a situation that male violence against women was standard, nevertheless this rather weak woman relied on witchcraft to keep her husband under controll for a long time.
The background of Eileen Prince is not given, so we must assume it was a normal domestic situation she came from. Sure is herself isn't a looker, not pretty enough to catch a good wizard, but not being beautiful does not make one weak. She does seem to have skills, and one may expect enough magical skills to defend herself.
Yet she is only portrayed as defenseless. DH made clear that Tobias knows his wife is a witch and that he disapproves witchcraft.
No big wonder of course, should his wife wisk her wand once he could end up as a Bobbit. Why does she not do it, why did Severus not do anything if the situation was so desperate as suggested.
What is Tonias' force? I don't get it.

Some people are very strong, and dont succumb to abuse (Harry for instance), whilst it can affect others very badly. It maybe that Eileen simply was too suppressed to do anything. She may, for whatever reason, have lost her magical powers after leaving Hogwarts. Or perhaps Tobias took her wand, and she was too scared of him to take it back or buy a new one. Maybe she loved Tobias too much to defend herself against him (love can be unpredictable and there sometimes can be no logical explanation to it). Or maybe her own Father had treated her the same way and she thought it was the norm?