Re: The redemption of Severus
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Well, I think there's a difference between what JKR intended and what was actually done well enough to come across successfully.
Before DH came out, I felt strongly that Snape's death had to come *after* Harry forgave him, because otherwise Harry would just be forgiving a dead person which is easier than forgiving the living person in front of you. In other words, Harry's forgiveness would be too easy if it came after Snape's death.
But JKR did not clearly show Harry's forgiveness. You are quite right that Harry was never shown doing the "work" of coming to terms with who Snape really was. Nevertheless, JKR did want redemption and did intend Harry's naming his son Albus Severus as well as the "bravest man" line to show that redemption.
The "bravest man" line is extremely important. Why? Because 1. it's a proclamation by the protagonist at the very end of the book and therefore carries a Huge amount of weight. And because 2. bravery is JKR's self proclaimed greatest virtue.
So at the end of the book, she has the protagonist, through whom the reader is to view all the events and characters of the series, proclaim Snape the highest standard of what she considers (and the books convey) to be the greatest virtue. You can hardly get any more redeemed than that.
Before DH came out, I felt strongly that Snape's death had to come *after* Harry forgave him, because otherwise Harry would just be forgiving a dead person which is easier than forgiving the living person in front of you. In other words, Harry's forgiveness would be too easy if it came after Snape's death.
But JKR did not clearly show Harry's forgiveness. You are quite right that Harry was never shown doing the "work" of coming to terms with who Snape really was. Nevertheless, JKR did want redemption and did intend Harry's naming his son Albus Severus as well as the "bravest man" line to show that redemption.
The "bravest man" line is extremely important. Why? Because 1. it's a proclamation by the protagonist at the very end of the book and therefore carries a Huge amount of weight. And because 2. bravery is JKR's self proclaimed greatest virtue.
So at the end of the book, she has the protagonist, through whom the reader is to view all the events and characters of the series, proclaim Snape the highest standard of what she considers (and the books convey) to be the greatest virtue. You can hardly get any more redeemed than that.