LV never loved anyone

[delwynmarch]

No: HPFGUIDX 110341

Stella wrote:
"In the similarities between the two histories(TR and HP) JKR provides
us with a very clear picture of two boys who were orphaned and raised
without love. They both get their chance at Hogwarts.   One makes the
CHOICE to be bitter and hateful about the whole thing, while the other
chooses to try and find love and good in the world instead."

Del replies :
I don't think we have been shown that *either* boy made a *choice*.

We don't know about Tom, but I am of the opinion that a *kid* cannot
truly choose to be unredeemably bitter and hateful. He can *want* to
be like that, he can force the good feelings he gets sometimes out of
him, but he can *not* choose *never* to love. And yet JKR said that
Tom never loved nor cared for anyone. I don't think that was of Tom's
doing, I don't think he *chose* that.

On the other hand, I don't think Harry chose to love either. When he
met Ron and saw how bad Ron felt about being overshadowed by his 3
(no, 5) big brothers, his heart just went out to him. Same with the
sandwiches : Harry noticed the sandwiches, Ron's disappointment and
unease about them, and he felt compassion on him. This was not a
choice of his, those feelings just came to him. And the more time he
spends with his friends, the more he cares about them, through no
conscious choice of his own.

Tom had friends too. And yet he never cared about them. I don't think
this was a *choice* of his.

Stella signed :
"Stella, who doesn't want anyone going soft on Voldy!"

Del replies :
On Voldy, no. But on Tom, yes. My own biological father left on
discovering my mom was pregnant, and that abandonment has scarred me
forever in ways I'm only beginning to understand (I'm 30). But at
least I had my mom and her family, and my mom is a Lily, not a
Petunia. But poor Tom had nobody, he received no love, and he never
*felt* any love. 

What's worse than death ? Tom Riddle's life, IMO. A life devoid of
love, given or received.

Del