On Meanness, Evil, and Bowling (was [HPFGU-OTChatter] Thanks, Wanda; something odd)

[Amanda Lewanski]

No: HPFGUIDX 17795

I brought this over from Chatter, since it raised an interesting
relevant point.

Rachel Bray wrote:
about overhearing two kids in the bowling lane next to theirs, arguing
about who was meaner, Snape or Voldemort <details of Rachel's bowling
skills snipped to protect the innocent>

> Anyway, one of their lines from the argument was this:
>
> "Snape is the meanest one because he has a choice to be nice to Harry
> like he's nice to Draco.  Voldemort doesn't have a choice because he's
> evil through and through."
>
> Interesting.....

Indeed. How does the list think "mean" interacts with "evil"? Because
I'll grant this argument, that Snape is meaner. But Voldemort is clearly
more evil. So does being mean have a lot to do with evil at all? Or is
the quality of being mean rather like the quality of being
ambitious--not evil in and of itself, but more likely than other traits
to lead you in that direction? Or does evil have to do with a perception
of real harm? Because Snape, for all his meanness, does not think he's
doing real harm, I don't think. And Voldemort quite clearly does, and
intends to.

Interesting observation from the kids.

--Amanda


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]