Not entirely sure whether I'm allowed to start a topic here - so apologies if this is not appropriate.
I was just wondering what other people's views were on Snape and social class?
For example, how difficult must it have been for the, not just working-class, but rather poor working-class Snape to make a place for himself in Slytherin House, which has a distinct feel of the upper-class about it? This must have been horrendously difficult for him. Unprepossessing physically anyway; he is also shabbily dressed, socially awkward, possessed of poor personal hygiene and (one can only assume) speaking with a strong northern accent. Presumably he either took pains to 'improve' himself or was 'mentored' to some degree by a Slytherin housemate.
I was also wondering whether class prejudice might have played a role in his bullying by the Marauders. James and Sirius, the ringleaders, are both upper-class. Might there be class animosity at play here, as well as more general dislike? The idea of Northern/Southern, Working Class/Upper class hostility lends a peculiarly British flavour to the nature of their relationship.
Was also generally wondering how the British class divisions come across to an American audience? Is it readily apparent how wide the gulf would have been between Snape and upper-class schoolmates and how difficult it would have been to close that gap?
thoughtful