The Dullest Redemption Subplot Ever (WAS: Evil Is...)

[dicentra63 <dicentra@xmission.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51667

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "ssk7882 <skelkins at a...>"
<skelkins at a...> wrote:

> So when Dicentra writes, for example:
> 
> > To this I would add that evil has to do what you want, not just 
> > what you do. If you continually *want* to do evil deeds over good 
> > ones, you're evil, even if you don't actually do them.
> 
> I would have to disagree.  I think that if you override your desire 
> to do evil deeds, then you are doing well, no matter how badly you 
> may want to be doing them.  
> 
Let me clarify my statement.  If you *want* to do evil deeds but don't
do them, you're evil only if moral compunction isn't stopping you.  In
other words, if you *want* to do real evil but *can't* because you
lack the ability (or guts), that's evil.  Draco doesn't refrain from
joining in with the DEs because he doesn't want to sully himself; he
refrains because he has to.  Because he doesn't have the magical
ability yet.  Of course, there is the question of what he would do if
he *could* participate.  Would he jump in with both feet?  Maybe.  He
also might run off and hide, like a coward.  But refrain because he
suspects deep down that torturing Muggles is wrong?  No, I don't think so.

Harry often wants to do evil, but refrains because he doesn't *really*
want to do evil.  Not when push comes to shove.  That's why he didn't
kill Sirius when he had him cornered--he didn't *really* want to be a
killer, even though he had these terrible feelings of rage and a
desire for vengeance.  

If you're sitting in Azkaban plotting revenge against all your
enemies--but are *unable* to carry it out--that's evil.  If you're
sitting in Snape's classroom wishing you knew Cruciatus, but you don't
go learn it--or an equivalent curse--or take any action against Snape,
that's not evil.  

Actions definitely count in the final analysis, but desires are what
define the actions.  If you run over someone by accident, that's not
evil--it's unfortunate.  If you run over someone because you *want* to
hurt that person, that's evil.  Same action + different desires = 
different actions.

--Dicentra, who also thinks a Draco Redemption subplot at this point
would be Ever So Lame