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

[Zarleycat at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 17839

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Amanda Lewanski <editor at t...> wrote:
> 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
> 
I don't think that being "mean" necessarily will lead to "evil."  I'm 
sure we can all think of moments in our lives where we are mean to 
people and we may very well regret our words or actions immediately 
afterwards.  It's easy to be mean to people we care about because we 
know their weaknesses or vulnerabilities and can take advantage of 
them.  It's even easier to be mean to people we don't consider 
friends or equals.  I think that Snape is particularly good at this.  
He takes advantage of Neville's weakness/timidity, he won't hesitate 
to take Hermione down a peg or two if he gets the chance and he will 
goad Harry by making comments about James.  

Is this evil? I guess a point could be made, that yes, it is evil 
because it's not a one-off thing.  It's part of what Snape does.  And 
being mean to people constantly could certainly be interpreted as a 
low grade case of "evil."  However, having said that, I don't think 
that Snape is evil because I attribute a much higher level of hurt 
and hated to someone who is evil.  We don't have evidence that 
Pettigrew was mean (do we or am I forgetting something? My books will 
be returned tomorrow - Praise whatever deity you choose!!)  yet I 
would characterize his actions as evil.

Marianne