Harry v. Tom (was: LV never loved anyone)

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 110559

 > SSSusan:
> One more on this, before I pack it in.  This may well be the crux 
of  it, Julie.  Since JKR called him a psychopath, then the 
question is whether JKR's use of "psychopath" coincides with 
the clinical  view...and if it does, then why did she also say he 
made the "wrong  choices"??
> 

There may be a distinction  between Quirrell, who let himself be 
persuaded that  there is no good and evil, only power, and 
Voldemort, who tells the DE's that Quirrell was "young, foolish, 
gullible." Voldemort may well be incapable of internalizing good 
and evil,  but I think he knows perfectly well what his society 
considers good and evil. He has chosen evil because he 
believes it is *stronger* --

"Let's match the powers of Lord Voldemort, Heir of Salazar 
Slytherin, against famous Harry Potter and the best weapons 
Dumbledore can give him...." CoS ch 17

and that  will turn out to be the wrong choice because, in JKR's 
world, at least, it's not stronger. 

Pippin