Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Question

From Chapter 8 The Potions Master
“You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making,” he began. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but they caught every word—like Professor McGonagall, Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort. “As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don’t expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses…I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death—if you aren’t as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.
More silence followed his little speech. Harry and Ron exchanged looks with raised eyebrows. Hermione Granger was on the edge of her seat and looked desperate to start proving that she wasn’t a dunderhead.
“Potter!” said Snape suddenly. “What would I get if I added powered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?”
Powdered root of what to an infusion of what? Harry glanced at Ron, who looked as stumped as he was; Hermione’s hand had shot into the air.
“I don’t know, sir,” said Harry.
Snape’s lips curled into a sneer.
“Tut, tut—fame clearly isn’t everything.”
He ignored Hermione’s hand.
“Let’s try again. Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?”
Hermione stretched her hand as high into the air as it would go without her leaving her seat, but Harry didn’t have the faintest idea what a bezoar was. He tried not to look at Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, who were shaking with laughter.
“I don’t know, sir.”
“Thought you wouldn’t open a book before coming, eh, Potter?”
Harry forced himself to keep looking straight into those cold eyes. He had looked through his books at the Dursleys’, but did Snape expect him to remember everything in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi?
Snape was still ignoring Hermione’s quivering hand.
“What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?”
At this, Hermione stood up, her hand stretching toward the dungeon ceiling.
“I don’t know,” said Harry quietly. “I think Hermione does, though, why don’t you try her?”
A few people laughed; Harry caught Seamus’s eye, and Seamus winked. Snape, however, was not pleased.

Compare and contrast the protagonist's and antagonist's perspective.

Answer 1

In this excerpt from "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone," we see a clear contrast between the perspectives of the protagonist, Harry Potter, and the antagonist, Severus Snape.

Protagonist's Perspective (Harry Potter)

1. Innocence and Confusion: From Harry's point of view, the potions class is intimidating and bewildering. He is new to the world of magic and has limited knowledge about complex potion ingredients. His confusion regarding terms like "powdered root of asphodel" or "bezoar" reflects his position as an inexperienced student trying to navigate a challenging environment.

2. Desire to Prove Himself: Harry feels the pressure to succeed, especially given Snape's sharp demeanor and expectations. There is a sense of urgency and vulnerability as he realizes that he is perceived as a “dunderhead.” He is not just trying to learn; he is trying to establish himself in a new world where he is famous but also under scrutiny.

3. Allies and Support: Harry’s perspective includes a sense of camaraderie with Ron and a supportive acknowledgment of Hermione's eagerness to help. He recognizes her knowledge and feels solidarity with his friends, which contrasts with the isolation he feels in front of Snape. When he suggests that Snape ask Hermione, it shows that Harry values collaboration and is looking for ways to mitigate the discomfort of being targeted by Snape.

Antagonist's Perspective (Severus Snape)

1. Authority and Intimidation: Snape's character is rooted in authority and control. He approaches the lesson with a sense of superiority, expecting students to be in awe of his knowledge. He doesn’t hesitate to belittle students like Harry who are struggling, emphasizing his role as the intimidating figure in the classroom.

2. Disdain for Students: Snape’s demeanor suggests he holds contempt for those who do not perform up to his expectations. His sarcastic remarks about Harry’s knowledge and intelligence (“fame clearly isn’t everything”) indicate that he enjoys maintaining a hierarchical power structure in the classroom where he is firmly positioned at the top.

3. Selective Attention: Snape deliberately ignores Hermione's raised hand, which shows his bias and possibly his desire to reinforce Harry's sense of inadequacy and failure. This selective attention illustrates a clear exercise of power—he chooses to highlight Harry's ignorance while dismissing an eager and capable student like Hermione. This selective engagement underscores his antagonistic role in Harry's academic life.

Conclusion

In summary, while Harry's perspective is one of confusion, desire for acceptance, and an impetus to learn, Snape's perspective is that of dominance, disdain, and an inclination to intimidate. Their contrasting views create a dynamic tension that is characteristic of the mentor-mentee relationship where the mentor (Snape) embodies the antagonistic force against the protagonist's (Harry's) growth and development. This opposition is central to Harry's journey as he navigates not only the challenges of learning magic but also the complexities of authority and personal identity within it.