JKR, Harry Potter, and the Nature of Evil

[rick824 at webtv.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 19781

--- 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 
  
 Ok, if the Dursleys are evil for treating Harry that way would that not make Snape evil for the way he treats Neville?  The guy never gives the kid a break!  I am sure he knows what happened to Neville's parents and should fell some empathy for the kid.
 Btw,  has anyone come up with some ideas on what position Snape held as a Death Eater?  ie. Lucius Malfoy as lead in Muggle torture or Macnair being some sort of executioner?
 Rick