Poll: Would Severus Snape Ever Reconcile With his Father?
Severus Snape had a traumatic childhood. Do you think that post-mortem, Severus Snape would ever reconcile with Tobias Snape? (It must be noted that, although Snape called himself the 'Half-Blood Prince', he still took his father's surname for the remainder of his life.)
Select your response, and feel free to add an explanation below.
I don't think Snape would ever seek a reconciliation with Tobias Snape. The conduct of Tobias was unforgivable and Snape was never a forgiving person.
I think he kept Snape surname because he could not get 'Prince' surname due to his mother's likely disownment or some other reason preventing him from changing it, not due to a token of affection for his father.
Although I have read fics where they have reconciled, I don't think the possibility of it ever happening in canon.
While I do believe Severus was capable of forgiveness with people he cared about, I don't think Tobias fits into that category. Not that there's much about him in canon, but it's not difficult to read between the lines. He was abusive, "didn't like anything much" (Severus included, obviously), and Severus couldn't wait to get away from him. Yeah, he was also excited to go learn magic, but escaping his home life was a big part of it.
Also, I don't think the last name has any relevance. It's uncommon for a man to switch to his mother's maiden name even today, and we're talking about the 70s/80s/90s. Also, "Snape" was an established part of his identity by the time he was old enough to change it. Maybe he would've considered it if he'd started his life over somewhere else, but yeah… I don't see that happening in the insular, clearly old-fashioned British Wizarding community.
While we're talking about alternative last names… imagine if he'd married Lily, broken tradition, and chose to take her last name? Severus Evans… has a really nice flow to it. ❤
Quote from Heatherlly on February 12, 2023, 6:22 amWhile I do believe Severus was capable of forgiveness with people he cared about, I don't think Tobias fits into that category. Not that there's much about him in canon, but it's not difficult to read between the lines. He was abusive, "didn't like anything much" (Severus included, obviously), and Severus couldn't wait to get away from him. Yeah, he was also excited to go learn magic, but escaping his home life was a big part of it.
Also, I don't think the last name has any relevance. It's uncommon for a man to switch to his mother's maiden name even today, and we're talking about the 70s/80s/90s. Also, "Snape" was an established part of his identity by the time he was old enough to change it. Maybe he would've considered it if he'd started his life over somewhere else, but yeah… I don't see that happening in the insular, clearly old-fashioned British Wizarding community.
While we're talking about alternative last names… imagine if he'd married Lily, broken tradition, and chose to take her last name? Severus Evans… has a really nice flow to it. ❤
I agree with you here. Also agree with your reason about the last name. Though I prefer 'Severus Prince' which has a nice ring to it.
Phonetically, they both sound nice. Severus Evans has that double "ev", and Severus Prince hits that "s" sound in all the right places. That said, I also love Severus Snape as a name, even if his father sucked. Alliteration is awesome. ❤
Agreed, Severus Snape sounds the best.
Let's say that hypothetically Tobias felt true remorse for his actions. If he didn't, Snape would obviously never forgive him -- why would he?
Now, if a repentant Tobias did everything in his power to make up for what he had done. Get therapy. Try to work through his issues. Maybe even try to do what he can to help other kids in difficult situations as a way to make up for what he himself did.
Nobody is irredeemable in my opinion. But I don't think Snape would ever forgive him, there's too much bad blood. At best I could see Snape respect Tobias' new actions and acknowledge that he's trying to atone. But Snape forgiving him? No, I don't think so.
Quote from FIQ on February 12, 2023, 7:26 amNobody is irredeemable in my opinion.
I love this sentiment, and I think it's why so many of us are drawn to Severus. His story is a beautiful redemption arc, though he's still flawed enough to make it deeply human/relatable. As for his father…
I don't know if Tobias would be as capable of remorse/willing to change as Severus was. So much of that depends on the reasons for his shitty behavior, and the problem is, we just don't know. We can theorize, however, and my personal theory has always been that he was an alcoholic. That would've been extremely common among the working-class in that area, especially at that time. Spending too much money on booze/unable to hold down a steady job could also explain why the Snapes were so impoverished.
If it was alcoholism, recovery would've obviously been possible. Treatment also became more mainstream in the 70s and 80s, so who knows? Maybe he would've sought help at some point, help that might have not even been available when Severus was younger. Alcoholism often brings out the worst in people, so if he did get clean… yeah, I can see him becoming a better (or at least less unpleasant) person.
I don't know if Tobias would be as capable of remorse/willing to change as Severus was.
Yeah, I don't really think Tobias would feel remorse for his actions, at least the characterization of Tobias I have in my mind (a drunk alcoholic that resolve any frustration he has with violence). But we don't really know enough about him to say either way, hence why my scenario was more hypothetical rather than "I think this will happen".
The conduct of Tobias was unforgivable and even if Tobias changed, I don't think Snape would ever forgive him. Quoting Dumbledore, "that some wounds run too deep for the healing."
