PLEASEEE FASTT THIS IS TIMED
A villain, by definition, is a character in a play, novel, or other type of story, who constitutes an evil force in the plot. In more familiar terms, there are protagonists and antagonists, and the villain is usually the antagonist. The villain bullies or terrorizes the person or people who seek to do good works; he mocks their efforts and places obstacles in the way of those who strive for peace. By all accounts, Professor Severus Snape, a vindictive character in the Harry Potter series by J.K.
Rowling, is an antagonist; however, does this also make him a villain?
Severus Snape is the teacher of young children, including Harry Potter, at a boarding school called Hogwarts. The teacher of eleven-year-old children who attend school far from home should engage students in a warm, nurturing way. Snape, however, treats many of them disrespectfully, antagonizing Harry and his friends while favoring students who bully others.
Snape continues his heartless treatment of children throughout the series; he thwarts the efforts of Harry and his friends when they try to accomplish positive feats, and ultimately Snape takes the life of a beloved leader at the school. Yet, there is more to Snape's character than villainous traits; strangely, Snape occasionally is found protecting the students, including Harry and his friends.
Toward the end of the series, the author reveals insight into Snape's background. The reader learns that Harry's father, James, bullied Snape when they were young adults. Both Snape and James were in love with the same woman, Lily. James may have sensed that Snape liked Lily, and therefore, James was cruel to Snape. Snape eventually drifted toward evil and tried to impress Lily by dabbling in danger. Ultimately, Lily chose James over Snape, and they married and became the parents of Harry. As a consequence, Snape was jealous of James and Lily's happiness.
At the end of the Harry Potter series, Snape gives his life to protect Harry Potter. This heroic gesture serves to make him a forgivable character. Harry, at the end of the final book, can see and acknowledge the good in Snape, even if it was not evident throughout his life.
If a villain is someone who constitutes evil in a novel, Snape is not a villain. He often acts in an evil way and continually makes poor choices, but he also helps instead of hurts. Throughout the series, he unjustifiably hates Harry, but because of his past, his actions are explained. And because of his final act of kindness, he is not a villain.
Identify the author’s purpose. Then choose two paragraphs and explain how the details in each paragraph are used to support that purpose.

The author's purpose is to explore and challenge the notion of Severus Snape being classified as a villain in the Harry Potter series by presenting a nuanced analysis of his character.

**Paragraphs Chosen:**

1. The paragraph beginning with "Toward the end of the series, the author reveals insight into Snape's background."

2. The paragraph beginning with "At the end of the Harry Potter series, Snape gives his life to protect Harry Potter."

**Explanation:**

1. **Toward the end of the series, the author reveals insight into Snape's background.**

- **Details and Support:**

- This paragraph delves into Snape's past, providing critical context for his actions. The details about James Potter bullying Snape and their mutual love for Lily offer an explanation for Snape's antagonistic behavior toward Harry. The author uses these details to argue that Snape's actions stem from personal pain and unresolved issues, rather than pure malice. By showing the reader that Snape's hostility has roots in his past experiences and emotions, the author supports the claim that Snape is more complex than a typical villain and thus cannot be categorized simply as an evil character.

2. **At the end of the Harry Potter series, Snape gives his life to protect Harry Potter.**

- **Details and Support:**

- This paragraph highlights Snape's ultimate act of sacrifice, portraying him as a character capable of profound goodness and heroism. By emphasizing Snape's final gesture of protecting Harry, the author illustrates that Snape's actions, although often antagonistic, are ultimately redemptive. This crucial detail serves to challenge the reader's perception of Snape as a villain, suggesting that his capacity for selflessness and bravery outweighs his earlier misdeeds. This supports the author's purpose by reinforcing the idea that Snape's character is multifaceted, and his final act of kindness complicates his categorization as a villain.

Together, these paragraphs demonstrate that Snape's character cannot be neatly defined as a villain. They underscore the author's argument that Snape's motivations and actions are complex, shaped by his past and culminating in a heroic sacrifice, which ultimately redeems him and negates the label of villain.