JKR, Harry Potter, and the Nature of Evil

[Schlobin at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 19727

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Amanda Lewanski <editor at t...> wrote:
> What happened to your third strand? I was hoping it would be evil by
> self-absorption, which would cover Lockhart and the Dursleys--those 
who
> are not evil by nature, necessarily (by that I mean, not consciously
> evil), but who do evil things.
> 


But I would continue to argue that Lockhart -- and the Dursleys --
ARE evil.

The Dursleys do not want anyone to know that Harry is a wizard.
They are embarrassed and ashamed. Okay.

But they consciously abuse and neglect Harry. They ignore him 
whenever possible. They shower Dudley with gifts, and give Harry a 
tissue. They ignore his birthday. They lock him in his cupboard.
They imprison him in his room. They do not give him enough food to 
eat. They constantly attack and belittle him. They hit him. They 
threaten him with physical violence. They allow Dudley and his 
friends to beat him up. Etc. Etc. Etc. This is planned and calculated 
evil.

Susan