Loooooong Interpretations

Ok, so, having no life, and coming off of the snape discussion, I decided to go back and re-google/read/interpret all of Snape's recent subject titles chronologically. I know I'm putting way too much significance in all of this, but it was interesting and I miss interpreting literature. Keep in mind I’m at work, so it’s disjointed, and I didn’t reread every single post/discussion. It's quite long, so...

First post, Egypt. Slouching toward Nyarlathotep. First part is part of the last line “Slouching towards Bethlehem to be born” in Yeats’ “Second Coming,” and last bit is from Lovecraft’s “Nyarlathotep.” Now, “Second Coming” is interesting because it’s a completely apocalyptic poem—the world is ending, things are falling apart, nothing is as it should be, and anarchy has complete control. That’s pretty easy to figure out—the second coming of Voldemort, things are flying out of control, people are terrified, anarchy pretty much is a given. It’s quite appropriate, especially after the attack at the end of the school year. “Nyarlathotep” though, is REALLY interesting. I don’t know how many of you read/caught it, as it was later in the nraged discussion of the post. Here’s the link in case; read it, except replace Nyarlathotep with Voldemort, and just pretend Snape’s speaking. It reads *perfectly*. Snape, young and fearless, fascinated by Voldemort, by his power, his evil, getting sucked into and trapped in that horrific, fantastic evil. But now, putting the two together, we have Snape actually going back to it, knowing full well of the evil and the anarchy and the horror of Voldemort (Nyarlathotep), knowing of the hell being loosed by the second coming, and heading into it, “slouching” into the heart of it. My thoughts: Snape’s a spook.

Second post, Vatican. They are assembled, astonished and disturbed. Rainer Maria Rilke after seeing da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” Clear reference to being in the Vatican, but I don’t think that’s the point. Read the poem again. It’s not as hopeless as the previous one, but it’s still quite dark. It’s lonely, and it defies all religiousness of the theme—indeed, as Snape’s subsequent conversation with Remus denies all possibility of religion. Snape is human, he is alone, and he is on his way to being a sacrifice for the cause (putting himself in danger for others)—just as the speaker of the poem, Jesus, was a sacrifice for “the cause,” for his companions. Interesting. Also interesting is the fact that this is the second partly-religious-themed poem, with “The Second Coming” being the first.

Third post, Ethiopia. I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions. Sylvia Plath, “The Mirror.” An intruiging poem that is not NEARLY as introspective as the first two—at least from the surface (there is of course the introspection inherent in the lack of introspection, but let’s not go there. We're being shallow here). Snape is a mirror, he is reflecting, leaving himself behind as he reflects whatever he sees, the good along with the bad. Mirrors do not show themselves, they are themselves tools with no persona, rarely seen as an entity or as anything, barely even noticed. A person sees in a mirror himself—for good or bad—and a mirror both never lies in reflecting but is never honest in itself. Very, very interesting. My thought is to throw this more in with the spy thing—has he actually started doing something? Is he observed? Does he feel he’s being used? The poem, of course, is clearly still dark, in the simple lack of everything but reflection. There’s no overt depression, but covertly….A final interesting point is the topic of his actual post. The Ark of the Covenant? Talk about continuing the religious theme, despite the lack of religion in the poem.

Fourth post, Russia. I too have spent a life the sages' way. This is a cool one, as this has two references that are possible. The first is obviously the original, Browning’s “Paracelus.” This itself is FASCINATING. Go and actually read the page mentioned before, with the essay on “Paracelus,” the long version. I couldn’t find an online copy of the complete poem itself, but reading this is quite effective. Paracelus is searching for sacred knowledge, venturing into the Occult, but one of the first questions he is forced to answer is whether he is doing it for his own glory or for others. The knowledge is no good without altruism, the disciple “must begin to live not for himself, but for the world.” In addition, the poem alludes—right in the section around our quote—that the seeds of altruism cannot be planted and come to fruitation in one lifetime. Hence, “I perished in an arrogant self-reliance / Ages ago; and in that act a prayer / For one more chance went up so earnest.” (Damn I’m getting way too much into this, I’m quoting. ::sigh::) So, turn that to Snape. He is not doing his quest, his search for knowledge (through spying?) for himself, but for others (the whole of wizardkind). In addition, he could not have gained that ability, understanding, and desire through this life, but through another—his life with Voldemort before he defected. That experience caused the Snape that was to die and be reborn with another chance, which gave him the ability and the strength of personality to spy, to subject himself to possible pain, sacrifice, and danger, for others.
The second reference is, of course, the X Files reference, “The Field Where I Died” (strangely, one of the few episodes I never saw). I think this just is a cool way of supporting Browning’s bit, emphasizing the particular part of the 4000 line poem that relates to Snape’s rebirth for good—and his goal, that of knowledge and defeat. The whole thing goes straight into line with the other quotes. However, I don’t think it has anything to do with XF in general though. That’d be kind of like saying that since he mentioned a Plath line he’s hinting at wanting to stick his head in an oven, which I doubt.
Interesting that this is the first non-religious post….in a way. Intellectual Occultism could possibly be considered religion.
One last point: has anyone thought it might be dangerous for Cho to be with Snape if he’s doing spy business? Does this totally wreck my interpretations?

Fifth Post, Yemen. Jesus, and I still have aways to go. Oy. Three may keep a secret, if two of them be dead. Ben Franklin, from his Third Almanac. Um, well, to be honest, I have no idea, really, about this one. Has Snape suffered a misfortune? Has Cho slipped up in her drugged chattiness? I’m inclined to think yes to the first, possibly even the second. Hm. Anyone have any ideas? Could Franklin’s Titan Leeds hoax be involved (from his almanacs)? Could Snape be talking about current Islamic events (current to 1997 of course)? Or is Snape just enjoying some secondary high humor? It should be noted that this is significantly lighter in tone than the rest….and that Snape is in a rather religiously influenced country.

Sixth Post, Tahiti. Great Post. For this, for everything, we are out of tune. Wordsworth, “The World is Too Much for Us.” Now this is getting interesting. This is the second poem that is not intensely dark and lonely and self-sacrificing. It’s not great, but it’s more of a lament of the world, of modern society that has taken itself from the spiritual, natural (magical?) world. Could Snape be becoming successful, despite his shadow? Perhaps even Snape is lamenting the death eaters and voldemort, for their choice of evil over good—or at least to be out of tune with nature and humanity. Of course, you can’t discredit the Cho theory—after all, he’s not alone anymore, and he’s in Tahiti, at Heiva Festival, a very important nature, life, and WAR PREPARATION festival, and he’s speaking to Lupin about the horrors in the Austral religious past. Perhaps, deep down, he’s merely lamenting the path humanity has taken.
Religion themes can be found in the islands' history and in the Heiva festival's connection with nature.

Seventh Post, Hungary. And like an instrument that flings its music on another's strings Again, Wordsworth—our first repeat. “Occultation of Orion.” Now at first, this seems weird and interesting—it’s joyful! There’s success involved! How is this possible, especially from Snape. But upon closer look, it gets cooler. This poem actually details a war—“some great tragedy”—between our villain “great giant Algebar, / Orion, hunter of the beast” and the arrayed constellations—including rising Sirius—and their rising champion, the pure, innocent, and unharmable Moon. Pretty interesting—do I really need to spell out who’s who? The poem does end in joy, however, with the end—the joyful, joyful end of violence. Since when is Snape optimistic, and why?
Oh, and the monks are back.

Two last interesting post. Snape's posts are progressively lightening in tone, but they're also getting closer to war. Tell me what you think.

One last thing. All of the lines put together in poem form….

Slouching toward Nyarlathotep
They are assembled, astonished and disturbed
I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions.
I too have spent a life the sages' way.
Three may keep a secret, if two of them be dead.
For this, for everything, we are out of tune.
And like an instrument that flings its music on another's strings

Hm.

I have a question, in addition to all this. Doesn’t Death Eater Lucius read Snape’s posts? I mean, I adore the NA Looshie, but still….

***EDIT I did some light grammatical editing for clarity, what I could find, and while I tried to resist restructuring of sentences, there were one or two towards the end I couldn't help. Also, I added in a link to the Tahitian Heiva Festival, which you should REALLY glance at. One interesting note: one of the traditional meanings behind the festival is preparation for war. Sorry if this still isn't clean; my contact is about to jump out of my eye and do the hula on my keyboard.

hobaggins @ July 25 2003, 16:29:44 UTC

I love you.

I will comment tonight when I have time tonight to handle the extent and detail of your post

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jenicomprispas @ July 25 2003, 19:42:24 UTC

I don't know you, but that was amazing. So much to think about. Thank you.

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qwyneth @ July 26 2003, 14:46:58 UTC

No problem, I had fun doing it, strangely enough. :) I'm a newbie, have only said a few things....slowly getting more and more addicted to this....;)

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tabiji @ July 25 2003, 21:07:23 UTC

Very impressive breakdown! 100 points!

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Anonymous @ July 26 2003, 00:07:54 UTC

For this, for everything, we are out of tune, like an instrument that flings its music on another's strings.

That's not an exact quote, but it's how I read it the first time. It makes it sound like a job that's not suited to the person doing it, or perhaps it gets back to the idea of hiding? That to fling his music (goals) on the death eater's strings (plans), he must go out of tune? Or possibly I'm just reading too much into this :P.

-HedgeMouse

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aurorasinger @ July 28 2003, 07:13:18 UTC

Well. Color me impressed.

This is brilliant. I heart you. NRaged is almost as wonderful as N_A.

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