J.K. Rowling defends decision to have Harry Potter name son after Snape
'Snape deserves both admiration and disapprobation, like most of us,' British author tweets
British author J.K. Rowling took to Twitter this morning to defend her controversial decision to have Harry Potter name his son after the widely reviled character of Severus Snape.
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The series of tweets, which Rowling insists were "not a rant," all started with a question from a fan.
Snape died for Harry out of love for Lily. Harry paid him tribute in forgiveness and gratitude. <a href="https://t.co/MPXBgUApa3">https://t.co/MPXBgUApa3</a>
—@jk_rowlingIn the epilogue of the fantasy series' final book, a grown-up Harry Potter tells his son Albus Severus Potter that he was named after two headmasters at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
While Albus Dumbledore's character is largely beloved and heroic, Severus Snape mostly acts as a foil and antagonist to Potter and his friends throughout the series.
But in the end — spoiler alert — Snape sacrifices himself for the greater good.
Young Potter's name has always been a sticking point among fans, who are divided about whether Snape is a hero or a villain.
I've got to say this: you lot have been arguing about Snape for years. My timeline just exploded with love & fury yet again. Never change x
—@jk_rowlingThe question and the ensuing "love & fury" from Potter fans on Twitter prompted Rowling to pen a series of tweets defending the decision to honour Snape, whom she says is neither good nor evil.
That's not true, I'm afraid. Snape projected his hatred and jealousy of James onto Harry. <a href="https://t.co/5jzNHlfSe0">https://t.co/5jzNHlfSe0</a>
—@jk_rowlingThere's a whole essay in why Harry gave his son Snape's name, but the decision goes to the heart of who Harry was, post-war.
—@jk_rowlingThe discussion, she said, is an important one, given people's tendency to oversimplify things in a complex world.
This morning I've been thinking a lot about the appeal of simple dichotomies in our messy world, then you raise Snape! Highly appropriate.
—@jk_rowlingSnape is all grey. You can't make him a saint: he was vindictive & bullying. You can't make him a devil: he died to save the wizarding world
—@jk_rowlingIn honouring Snape, Harry hoped in his heart that he too would be forgiven. The deaths at the Battle of Hogwarts would haunt Harry forever.
—@jk_rowling