(Loved Trope) Aptronyms

[u/dream_monkey]

Aptronyms are characters whose name is heavily symbolic or represent them as a character. Sometimes it is a subtle play on words, sometimes it’s just a clunky transliteration. Either way, it can help characterize a character and provide more allegorical depth. Authors must be careful not to delve into the realm of cliche, though.

1. Draco Malfoy (Harry Potter series) His name means Evil Dragon, and he tries really hard to live up to his name.

[Many commenters have pointed out that Darth Vader is not a true aptronym. I stand corrected .]

1. Darth Vader (Star Wars series) His name means Dark Father, which cleverly conceals one of the biggest reveals in cinema history.

2. Cthulhu (Lovecraft mythos) Cthulhu may just sound like a nonsense syllable, unpronounceable by a human mouth. The name is derived from the word “cthonic” which means a being that lives under the earth or in the underworld, so an ancient and terrible god that lies dreaming in death at the bottom of the ocean would definitely fit the description.

[u/icantbeatyourbike]

I doubt Rowling was referring to the US civil war.

[u/jjtnd1 → u/icantbeatyourbike]

Lol yeah I think it was more like - wolves have grey backs right, grey back bam

[u/Aluxanatomy → u/jjtnd1]

Japan has magic school, right? Mahoutokoro. Bam!

[u/Insidion25 → u/icantbeatyourbike]

Yeah, I think Greyback was about wolves having literal grey backs. Tho the confederate symbolism does match as well, even if Fenrir wasn't an official Death Eater.

[u/Cela84 → u/icantbeatyourbike]

Yes, because why would Rowling include something in the 6th book for the largest market for her books that accounted for a third of her sales.

[u/icantbeatyourbike → u/Cela84]

Ok buddy, America is the centre of the universe… an hugely obscure reference in a book for children, I am sure you are right.

[u/Late_Alternative9230 → u/icantbeatyourbike]

Knowing her stance on house-elves that’s probably a good thing