Ahhh, the great Snape debate rages on!!
It’s been eight years since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out and people are STILL obsessing over the fact that Harry named his second son — Albus Severus — after Dumbledore and the ever so polarizing Snape.
It all started when author J.K. Rowling decided to do one of her popular Twitter Q&A’s on Friday…
A social media follower asked:
“Why did you pick Snape to name Harry’s kid after? I’m genuinely curious as he was nothing but abusive towards everyone.”
The author promptly responded, trying to formulate understanding in a series of messages:
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
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
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
That’s not true, I’m afraid. Snape projected his hatred and jealousy of James onto Harry. https://t.co/5jzNHlfSe0
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
There’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.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
This morning I’ve been thinking a lot about the appeal of simple dichotomies in our messy world, then you raise Snape! Highly appropriate.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
Snape 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
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
In honouring Snape, Harry hoped in his heart that he too would be forgiven. The deaths at the Battle of Hogwarts would haunt Harry forever.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
See what you started, @FrazzyJazzy7? I need to get back to work. Have a good day, Snape-lovers, haters and in-betweeners all xxxx
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
Despite Dumbledore’s extremely complicated death, Snape did sacrifice his life for Harry at the Battle of Hogwarts. Makes you think, doesn’t it?!
After taking a break, J.K. signed back on to realize the heated conversation was still very much ongoing:
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
(Just come back to Twitter to find the great Snape debate still raging)
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
Snape didn’t die for ‘ideals’. He died in an attempt to expiate his own guilt. He could have broken cover at any time to save himself 1/2
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
but he chose not to tell Voldemort that the latter was making a fatal error in targeting Harry. Snape’s silence ensured Harry’s victory. 2/2
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
Harry chose to perpetuate the names of the two who had nobody in their families to do so. https://t.co/uwQVA9Tz9O
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
Then, the social chatter took a scary turn:
Please could we all keep our discussion about this fictional character civil? There’s enough rage on Twitter without Snape-related hate.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
I love Twitter questions! But I don’t like a character I love being used as a pretext to abuse other readers. https://t.co/jOn0L6N6HY
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
He stood to gain nothing personally but the triumph of the cause Lily had believed in. He was trying to do right. https://t.co/h00btgHwSI
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
Well, thanks to everyone who participated in today’s unplanned debate: “Snape: Good, Evil or What?” People to dinner – got to go! xxx
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
We are EXHAUSTED!!
So is Rowling, considering she bailed to eat dinner!
We have a feeling Potter Heads will be chatting about this for years to come — despite a very solid explanation from the creator. OY VEY!
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