JKR, Harry Potter, and the Nature of Evil

[Schlobin at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 19724

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "marshamoon" <marshamoon at g...> wrote:
> ----- Original Message ----- 
>   Susan wrote :
>   I read the Newsweek article and I thought it had some interesting 
>   elements but was mostly gibberish.
> 
>   I have been thinking about evil......I think evil is conscious, a 
>   deliberate choice, planned and calculated. I think that it is 
about
>   an individual getting what they want. That is oftentimes revenge 
or 
>   power and control. They often think they are entitled, that they 
were 
>   treated badly and deserve better, or that they are doing it on 
behalf 
>   of a group that has been treated badly.
> 
>   Many individuals have been treated badly (horrendously abused as 
>   children, to use one example that Newsweek used) and many 
individuals 
>   are part of a group that has been treated badly (such as Native 
>   Americans). Not all individuals who have been treated badly 
become 
>   evil. Some engage in self destructive behavior. Others triumph 
over 
>   their own ill-treatment, and do good.
> 
>   Susan
> 
> 



> Yes, and the most prevalent characteristic of the individuals who 
would be labeled as evil is their total lack of empathy.  I believe 
the Newsweek article pointed this out. It's not that these 
individuals don't know they're hurting someone else, it's that they 
don't care.  They minimize their own deeds, and blame their 
victims.   It appears that when children are abused, they are 
sometimes able to recover if  they are allowed by adults to express 
their fears, their hurt, and understand that it wasn't their fault.  
Individuals who have been the target of emotional or physical sadism, 
and who have no support or understanding, often grow up without the 
empathy skills they have never witnessed.  One of the interesting 
things about the literary persona of Harry Potter (and I think you 
have to credit JKR with a bit of research on this topic) is that 
although he is raised in the Dursley's neglectful home, he had 15 
months of apparently wonderful parental care prior to the death of 
his parents.  Again, there is evidence that children who had a year 
or two of secure loving care in infancy tend to be more resilient and 
able to withstand subsequent hardships.  It does seem that JKR was 
aware of these issues when she constructed Harry's history.  If you 
compare his childhood history to Tom Riddle's, there are obvious 
differences in parental care and societal status that support the 
development of both of their characters; Riddle's as the evil anti-
social psychopath, and Harry's as the reserved, determined, 
observant, and good hero.  
> 
> I'm unlurking because this thread is in my area of expertise. I 
work as a mental health manager/counselor in a forensic psychiatric 
residential rehab center and provide treatment to those who are not 
guilty by reason of insanity.  (Sort of a cross between Azkaban and 
St. Mungo's, although one of my philosophical principles is the 
provision of hope to those I treat.  It's the only way not to become 
a Dementor) 
> 
> 

I'm very happy that you're delurking and are on the list. I am very 
interested in hearing your professional "take" on all of this.

Re: empathy. I wonder if people who are evil do have empathy (which I 
define as being able to feel what the other person feels), but 
delight in the feelings of humiliation, degradation, pain, suffering 
that their victim feels.....

That's different to me than "not caring"....they do care they thrive 
on the victim's suffering...I think...

I struggle with this because this is how I see batterers operating 
(my own professional work is in the area of domestic violence)and it 
makes them seem like "monsters"..but they're not monsters..they are 
among us and are like us...

I guess I differentiate evil from wrongdoing. Everyone does wrong in 
their lives. People make choices every day to ignore wrong doing and 
injustice. 

But that is different than actively embracing evil...clearly Lockhart 
did so (in his planned, calculated campaign to be famous through 
stealing the memories and reputations of his victims)..clearly 
Voldemort and the Lestranges and Lucius Malfoy are evil..their 
wrongdoing is carefully planned out....

Snape, Snape, Snape...he is perhaps the most interesting 
character..where does he fit? what is really going on with him?

Susan