Why Snape Fans Focus More Criticism on Lily Evans

Introduction

Why is it that recently, Snape fans seem to direct more of their criticism towards Lily Evans rather than James Potter? Traditionally, Snape devotees have often praised Lily for standing up to James and being Snape's first true friend. However, this article delves into the underlying reasons behind this shift and suggests that the criticism towards Lily is not without foundation.

Why Are Snape Fans Criticizing Lily Evans?

It has become increasingly apparent among Snape fans that Lily Evans' actions towards Severus Snape were more forgiving and easier to overlook than their similar behavior towards James Potter. A common argument is that while Lily is expected to always support Snape, even when he is wrong, James is expected to take a stand against Lily's prejudices, despite his own.

The Misogynistic Aspect of Criticizing Lily

According to Snape fans, it is misogynistic to allow Harry's father, James Potter, to fight back against Snape for his wrongful behavior, but simultaneously punish Lily for not expressing concern for Snape's prejudiced friends. This polarizing behavior highlights the dichotomy in portrayals of male and female characters in the Harry Potter series. Further, the idea that Lily, a co-recipient of the friendship, should not have expressed concern for Snape's toxic and bigoted behavior while Snape felt entitled to hold a grudge against her because of her past relationship with James.

Lily's Responsibility and the Complexity of Her Character

Supporters of Snape often argue that Lily had no obligation to maintain her friendship with Severus, considering his racist views and actions. It is understandable for Lily to sever ties with Severus after he insults her with the derogatory term "mudblood." Severus himself might defend her for this action as well, acknowledging that he put a significant distance between them due to the danger her company posed.

Despite Severus' racist views, the article emphasizes that Lily and Severus would likely not have made a good couple due to their poor temperaments. Both were known to be quick to anger and could not compromise on arguments. Additionally, it is pointed out that protecting Severus was not Lily's responsibility; it falls to more appropriate figures such as Albus Dumbledore, Slughorn, McGonagall, and Severus' own family.

Behavior of Lily Evans

However, the complexity of Lily's character cannot be ignored. Some fans express disappointment in Lily's behavior and her capacity for judgment. The article highlights instances where Lily is shown to be judgmental of others while neglecting to scrutinize her own actions. One example is when Lily meddles in her sister Petunia's privacy over a sensitive issue, then deflects blame onto Severus when Petunia becomes angry. Another instance is how Lily ridicules Severus and Petunia, even during his physical and emotional distress, which demonstrates a lack of empathy and kindness.

Conclusion

The arguments presented here suggest that while Severus Snape faced criticism, Lily Evans, his former friend, was often overlooked in terms of her shortcomings and misbehavior. This article does not claim to write the definitive truth about the Harry Potter universe but provides a thoughtful analysis of how characters are portrayed and how differing perspectives shape our understanding of them.

Keywords

The keywords for this article include: Snape fans, Lily Evans, James Potter, criticism, fan theory.