Understanding Snape's Love for Lily: Facade or Genuine Affection?

Charles describes a complex and intense relationship between Severus Snape and Lily Evans, exploring whether Snape truly cared about Lily, or if his feelings were just a facade to get revenge on James Potter for bullying him. This article delves into the nature of Snape's feelings towards Lily, based on the provided narrative, and whether they were genuine or merely strategic.

Background: Snape and James

According to Charles, Severus Snape and Lily Evans were already acquainted when James Potter entered the picture, suggesting that Snape's feelings for Lily predated his friendship with James. This implies that Snape's affection was not influenced by James's presence, but rather by a preexisting bond with Lily, which further complicates the nature of their relationship.

Was Snape's Feeling for Lily True or False?

Charles argues that Snape genuinely cared about Lily's safety but not always about her feelings or opinions. This suggests that Snape's true feelings were more aligned with a sense of duty or obligation than with genuine affection and mutual respect. Despite the limited time and scope for developing a deep, healthy relationship, Snape's association with Lily was cut short by his strategic manipulations for personal gain.

The Problem with Facades: The Example of APT

Charles critiques the Albus Potter Saves the Day (APT) chapter, which was meant to redeem Snape and highlight his genuine feelings for Lily. Instead, the chapter underscores Snape's manipulative and self-centered behavior. Despite the moments where Snape could have shown genuine care for Lily, he chose to prioritize his own desires and interests, disregarding any opportunity to nurture a meaningful relationship with her.

Snape's Idealization of Lily

Charles posits that Snape thought he genuinely loved Lily, but his affection was based on an idealized version of her. This suggests that Snape's perception of Lily was not based on her true self, but rather on the image he projected onto her. His behavior, particularly in his interactions with Lily, demonstrates a lack of understanding and respect for her individuality and feelings, further emphasizing the strategic nature of his affections.

Debate on Ideals vs. Reality

Charles provides a detailed example from APT, where an argument between Snape and Lily highlights the gap between their ideologies. During the argument, Lily brought up her concerns about her sister and James, to which Snape defended his friends as "a laugh." When challenged about his stance on dark magic, Snape changed the subject. This behavior reveals that Snape was more interested in his own agenda than in truly listening to or understanding Lily's perspectives.

Snape's Priorities: Self-Interest Over Friendship

Rather than focusing on mutual respect and understanding, Charles argues that Snape prioritized his own wants more often than not. For instance, on their first train ride, Snape's priority was ensuring that Lily was placed in the house of his choice, not out of concern for Lily's well-being, but for his own personal gain. This further Undermines the idea that their relationship was based on genuine feelings.

Conclusion: A Complex and SAD Relationship

The relationship between Snape and Lily was likely a facade, a strategic alliance formed by mutual interest in revenge and self-preservation. While Snape cared for Lily in a strategic, self-serving manner, he did not truly appreciate or respect her genuine feelings. The evidence from APT chapter supports this conclusion, highlighting a pattern of self-centered behavior that far outweighs any genuine affection.