Pity for Voldemort

[delwynmarch]

No: HPFGUIDX 104921

 
Demetra wrote :
> Your post made me think again about how closely Tom Riddle's 
> childhood was to Harry's.  Both orphans, raised in an environment of 
> abuse/indifference.  We know Harry's deepest desire was a *family*, 
> Tom's may have been also.  

Del replies :
Technically, there's still a big difference between Harry and Tom.
Harry was loved by his parents during 15 precious months. He could
bond with them, and he even had a love-charm put on him by his mother
who died for him. Tom had none of that as far as we know. 15 months
might not seem like a big deal, but they are.

Demetra wrote :
> Yet, look where their life paths have taken them and how differently 
> they have turned out.  Tom stayed focused on only himself, his needs 
> and his desire for revenge.  Harry, on the other hand, cares about 
> others, sometimes putting others needs before his own safety.

Del replies :
There are quite a few things that have to be taken into account.
Harry was lucky to find 2 true friends right away. Without the
stabilising and soothing influence of Ron and Hermione, who knows
where he would be now ?
We don't know that Tom didn't have friends, but we do know that he was
a half-blood in a House that despises them. He was an orphan in a
House of old families. He had nothing, in a House of rich kids. He had
a Muggle name, in a House of pureblood aristocrats. He was nobody, in
a House of Big Names.
Harry, on the other hand, had a good name, a good history, and a good
reputation when he arrived at Hogwarts. He kept being told that he
rightfully belonged in the WW even though he didn't know why. He had
an identity.
Tom was nobody, until he discovered he was the Heir of Slytherin. How
could he resist that offer for an *identity*, and a famous one, a
noble one, too ?

So yes there are similarities between Harry and Tom's lives, but there
are also glaring differences : Harry was always Someone (he might not
like it, but at least he always had an identity) while Tom was Nobody.
It might explain A LOT of things in their respective choices.

Del