Is Lucius Malfoy Abusive?

[mrs_sonofgib]

No: HPFGUIDX 112260

<mgrantwich at y...> wrote:
> I think Lucius can be physically abusive to "lesser" beings and
> certainly has no problems with the torturing requirements of being 
> a DE.  But I don't think he hits Narcissa or Draco.
> Draco's whinging in Mr. Borgin's shop while Harry watches reminds 
> me more of a spoiled brat than an abused one.  He's not physically 
> afraid of his father but is concerned to have his father's good 
> opinion.  And Lucius strikes me as a dad who's heard all the 
> complaining before and knows just how to shoot Draco down in
> mid-whine.


Yes, I think you've got it right.  As I was reading this thread I 
was reminded of a Jason Isaacs interview that I had read at TLC 
(found in the Archives section) and wondered if it hadn't 
contaminated the Canon (ical?) waters.  Here's a quotation from 
Jason Isaacs:
 "I watched the first film for some inspiration, what is this world 
I'm entering. I looked at this horrible little git who was my son. 
When I arrived and we played the first scene, we went straight into 
the first scene, and I just grabbed him by the ear, and then I 
rapped him on the knuckles, and he looked up at me really hurt. I 
didn't know if it was Tom or Draco that was looking so hurt, because 
**I just thought** it was right that Lucius I a really horrible Dad, 
really abusive Dad. And I could see generations of Malfoys 
stretching back into time where the fathers have been cold and 
brutal and hideous to their kids and that's what turns the kids into 
that. And for me it makes it far more understandable why Draco's 
like that at school. He gets no love at home, it's a horrible 
loveless place, and suddenly he' at school and he's not going to let 
anyone else enjoy themselves, he's resentful of real friendships for 
instance, and so I think I get him the compassionate vote, which you 
wouldn't have thought Draco would ever get from anybody."

Emphasis mine.  
~tina