LV never loved anyone

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 110483

SSSusan asked :
> > "Do we know what he did or didn't learn about morality in the
> > orphanage?  

Del replies :
> We don't know, I agree, but we can guess a few things.
> 
> First, we know that Tom never loved. That seems to indicate that he
> was never loved either as a little boy. Little kids are hungry for
> affection ; smiling at them is sometimes enough to earn their
> unfailing devotion.
<monstrously big snip>
> Before he even reached school, Harry had already experienced an
> exchange of affection with Ron.

SSSusan:
Yes, on the train there.  And it happened because Harry WANTED to 
make friends; he was OPEN to exchanging affection.  He did not see 
affection as a weakness.  I think you believe Tom was *incapable* of 
such openness, but I don't agree.  

Ack!  I shouldn't have gotten myself into this thread, because I 
can't keep up with your postings, Del! :-|  I'm at work and I just 
can't justify any more "break time"!  

And I don't think you & I will ever agree on this.  Whether JKR 
meant "never" as in Tom's whole life, from birth 'til now, OR since 
he became a cognizant individual, is one big difference we're working 
from.  Also, no matter what I say, I don't think you're going to 
believe that a child who was SHOWN no love will be able to in turn 
SHOW love. I, on the other hand, believe that it is possible *and* 
that JKR clearly expects him to have done so--or at LEAST to have 
chosen the difficult, "good" choices over the ones he did choose.  
In other words, was Tom "immoral" because he couldn't help himself, 
or was he "immoral" because he CHOSE not to buy into the prevailing 
system of morality.  *I* think JKR's leaning towards that 
interpretation, along w/ his CHOOSING not to give in to 
the "weakness" that he considered love to be.

His background, as I've said before, makes these choices more 
understandable, but I hold to the idea of a greater ability to choose 
in Tom than you do.  And I think we'll never agree on the details 
because we don't agree on that base.

Ah, well. :-|

Siriusly Snapey Susan, who's fully aware that this sounds like a cop-
out post, but who can't help it.  If others want to join in, please 
do!!!!!