LV never loved anyone

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 110369

Alla wrote :
> > "I know that you never give up on the most evil characters in
> > "Potterverse", but don't you think especially after that answer 
> > that Voldie is a lost cause."
 
Del replies :
> I never really had *hope* concerning LV. I was just trying to figure
> him out. But I'm afraid this last piece of information only confused
> me further. I agree with what you said later :
> "I think possible mental illness sounds about right or maybe Tom 
> was cursed right after he was born with inability to love?"
> But that would make me defend him even more ! If Tom was either sick
> or cursed, then he did *not* freely choose to become evil. If he is
> *unable* to love, then he can't be blamed for hating. And most of 
> all: if he needed help and didn't get it, then he's not the only 
> one responsible for the existence of LV (could DD be reluctant to 
> kill *Tom* out of *guilt* ?).
> 
> But that would go against everything the HP books have taught us so
> far : that we are all responsible for our choices, and that LV is
> truly evil because he chose to be.
> 
> I really hate to criticise JKR, but I think she's failed to explain
> and describe LV adequately, at least to me.


SSSusan:
I'll second the welcome back, Del.  

I think you're absolutely correct that *if* what you & Alla were 
saying is true, it *would* go against everything JKR has taught us so 
far.  I also think that you're not really being unfairly critical of 
JKR when you say she hasn't explained or described LV 
adequately...because I think she hasn't!  I think she has purpoesly 
saved a lot of the explanation for book 6 and/or 7.  (At least I hope 
she has!)

Anyway, I do understand your reaction to JKR's answer--"HOW could 
someone not have loved anyone, ever??"--and would be equally upset if 
Tom never had ANY love or affection directed his way, because it 
would mean it's not his fault/choice to not know how to love.  
However, *I* took what JKR said as meaning that Tom, once capable/old 
enough/able to choose, never *chose* to love another.  In fact, I'm 
guessing that someone, or several someones--not the least of which 
probably is DD, did show love or affection or concern for Tom Riddle, 
and so Tom *did* have the capacity to love just like the rest of us, 
but that he freely CHOSE to not reciprocate.  

I know this isn't fully fleshed out, so there may be gaping holes in 
my logic.  I can imagine that Tom's upbringing wasn't fun (just as 
Harry's wasn't), but that Harry, when shown affection by others, 
reciprocated, reached out to others.  Tom, I suspect, did not, for 
*some* (as yet unknown) reason.

Does that make any sense?

Siriusly Snapey Susan