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

[Morag Traynor]

No: HPFGUIDX 17865

Amanda wrote:
<snip>
>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.

Hmmm...interesting, as you say.  I think "mean" is basically projecting a 
poor self-image onto others in petty ways, while "evil" is regarding other 
people as nothing.  You can pity someone who is mean, and they can only 
really hurt you if you let them, that is, if what they project onto you 
chimes with your own self-image.  Evil is dangerous and must be resisted.

So, for instance, Snape's "I see no difference" comment hurts Hermione 
because she is sensitive about her appearance generally, as well as at that 
particular moment.  The fact that Harry doesn't generally rise to Snape's 
baiting is another indication of Harry's admirably good self-image, 
considering the circumstances in which he grew up.

When he encounters Voldemort, Harry's overwhelming wish is simply to resist 
him, even when he has no hope of surviving.  Of course, Voldy is mean, too - 
he enjoys terrorising his supporters - but "kill the spare" is not mean, it 
is evil.  It's not a more extreme version of what Snape does, it's something 
completely different.

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