New details pertaining directly to the Harry Potter books emerged tonight, as MTV has now posted some of the questions and the fascinating answers from J.K. Rowling at the Open Book Tour today in Los Angeles. In the Q & A Jo was asked about Professor Dumbledore (“he’s quite a Machiavellian figure, really”), Hedwig, and the always controversial Severus Snape. Jo said:
“Snape is vindictive, he’s cruel. He’s not a big man,” she insisted. “But he loves. I like him, but I’d also like to slap him hard.”
To read the rest of the article, with some very interesting further and SPOILER ific details, click here. Please note for those wishing to avoid spoilers to Deathly Hallows, a caution is given.
Whoa, Dumbledore is dark. :O I never really though of him as Machiavellian…
And yes, I would quite like to slap Snape too, but I would also like to give him a hug. :S
I confess I am never suprised by JKR, and her interviews. She is the most delightful person I have ever “read”. How I wish I could be one of those students, lucky enough, to be with her. She is one great person! Those are the first of many, many lucky kids!
I’m glad Jo said that about Dumbledore. He used Harry throughout the entire series, and that slowly became clear in HBP when he used Harry to get Slughorn to return to Hogwarts. He wasn’t the perfect person we thought he was. He’s still a good man though.
And people said Harry Potter would die out after book seven. I still have to a lot of Potter energy to waste, if only I could met Jo. The slightest news from her makes my world go crazy.
MAY THE POTTER BE WITH YOU
Posted by harryjamespotterlover on October 16, 2007, 03:06 AM
report to moderator
Cool news! I can definitely see Dumbledore as very Machiavellian character, not exactly a bad guy, but far from a good one in a lot of ways. He’s a tad amoral. But I love him, I mean, Dumbledore’s (wo)man, through and through, yeah? I can’t lie and say that I wasn’t really distraught by the big Dumbledore reveal in the end…he was a risky, manipulative guy. A great one, nonetheless.
Snape, oh Snape…you are quite an admired and beloved character, for some reasons I will not and may never comprehend. He did love, and the loyalty he had to this love is certainly admirable.
Aww, the little girl with the Hedwig plush. That is too cute for words. I was saddened by that death…Merlin’s bird, she was his pet! :(
I can wait a thousand years for that encyclopedia. Honestly, I am just eagerly awaiting another Rowling masterpiece.
Well, I find that line about Dumbledore being “Machiavellian” to be typical JKR misdirection. She said in reference to Snape’s character arc. And in the scene being referred to, Dumbledore keeps his eyes shut tight while talking to Snape. I’m pretty sure that it’s Snape who’s having his strings pulled.
I have to say that describing Dumbledore “machiavellian” is perfect and I honestly can say that’s a hard pill to swallow. But at the same time, I’m so glad b/c he wasn’t like another famous wizard whom he gets compared to a lot; Gandalf.
OH Snape, I’ve never actually liked Snape in the way where people love him b/c he’s “smexy” or w/e. I just never could relate to him. But until the last book, the Prince’s Tale, I finally liked him. He is a complicated character and I’ve finally appreciate that about him.
Aw, plush Hedwig doll! I want one. mutters I wish someone had a pic of the little girl holding the doll. It’d be too cute!
Those lucky, lucky kids. Gah my first year as not being a technical school child (through high school right haha!) anymore and so much awesomeness happens for them. The plush Hedwig is oh so cute and it seems like Hegwig indeed lives. ;)
I never would have thought to pair the words Dumbledore and Machiavellian in a entence but it does make quite a bit of sense. Machiavellian does have a negative connotation to it but it does not necessarily mean evil like most people think that it does. I still think Dumbledore had the right mindset for everything and he’s just amazing. :-)
As for Snape…ah Snape. I think Jo will be getting questions about Snape from now until the cows come home. But then again he’s enough of a complex character to get all of those questions.
I can wait as long as it takes Jo to write her encyclopedia because that just means there’s more time to question and speculate. Hooray!
Oh and also why is this reported through MTV of all “news” sources? I mean I’m glad that there is coverage over it but really MTV? shrugs Who knows maybe MTV is coming into the light with a Wizard Rock segment and now this.
I have to admit, that after reading the enlighting chapter the Prince’s Tale (The Deathly Hallows), that I too saw Dombledore as a Machiavellian figure. He oviously had Harry’s whole jerney with Volodemort plained out long before Harry ever went to Hogwarts. But I do not believe that he did not care for Harry. I believe that Dombledore understood that this was a battle (so to speak) that Harry and Harry alone could fight and there for all he could do is help set the steaks in Harry favor. To quot Dombledore himself “For the greater good”. As for as Snape, after reading the Prince’s Tale I found myself feeling a little sorry for him even if he is a vindictive jerk. Even Snape is capable of love.
She wants to slap Snape? Well, I would comfort him instead, a heartbroken character like him.
He was not nice, I never thought this, but I have mercy for him because he was described as someone who has hitten rock bottom.
"Sirius -- it's me... it's Peter... your friend... you wouldn't..."[br]Black kicked out and Pettigrew recoiled.[br]"There's enough filth on my robes without you touching them," said Black.
Yes, I think a lot of people wanted to slap Sir Snape.