JKR, Harry Potter, and the Nature of Evil

[rick824 at webtv.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 19762

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Schlobin at a... wrote:
> --- 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 
  If the Dursleys are evil for the way they treat Harry would not it also be safe to say that the way Snape treats Neville is also evil?  I am sure Snape knows about his parents being in St Mungos but doesnt show him any empathy.
 Rick