Another day, another J.K. Rowling gem.
Rowling received a question from a fan asking why Harry Potter chose to name one of his children after Severus Snape. For most of the "Harry Potter" series, Snape had been incredibly mean to The Boy Who Lived, so it does seem counterintuitive to have his son named after the man. For those who still can't wrap their head around this, Rowling has a simple explanation:
Snape died for Harry out of love for Lily. Harry paid him tribute in forgiveness and gratitude. https://t.co/MPXBgUApa3
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
This response from the author further set off a debate among fans of the series, with Rowling chiming in to say even though arguments involving Snape had gone on for years, she doesn't want anyone to change. She also clarified that the essential reason why Harry decided to name his son after Snape is at the heart of who Harry was.
Snape was a bully who loved the goodness he sensed in Lily without being able to emulate her. That was his tragedy. https://t.co/nzWhNrBxdH
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
Rowling also pointed out that Snape is a gray area, a character that can't easily be categorized as being either good or evil. On the one hand, Snape was vindictive and a bully, but on the other he did save the wizarding world through his death. Still, Snape didn't die for ideals, said the author. Instead, he died as he was attempting to address his own guilt. He didn't say a word to Voldemort that targeting Harry was a fatal mistake and that helped ensure Harry's side succeeded.
But though victorious, Harry is still haunted by the deaths at the battle in Hogwarts. Many people lost their loved ones, after all, he included. By honoring Snape, Harry was hoping that he, too, would be forgiven, said Rowling.
If Harry was simply looking for a way to be forgiven as well, why choose to honor Snape? Surely there were other people more fitting, right? To this, Rowling said that Harry's decision was based on a choice to perpetuate the names of those who had nobody in their families to do so.
The "Harry Potter" books and movies have long ended, but the series will be seeing a resurgence in the West End play, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child." According to Rowling, the play is the eighth story in the series.
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