Levels and contradictions in JKR's writing ( was Re: It's over, Snape is evil )

[Rachel Ellington]

No: HPFGUIDX 138336

Elanor Pam said: 
Actually, what I see is that Voldemort had problems feeling empathy,
probably slightly autistic in nature.

Lupinlore said: 
We have had an emphasis on the
importance of choice and JKR's statements about how no one is born
evil. 




I actually think that JKR has provided us with the story of 2 children brought up in unloving environments, both orphans, and the divergent character development that insues.  This to me is a contradiction in the choice matter as they have similar beginnings and extreme differences in character.

Harry, unloved and mistreated for the first 11 years of his life, is a good person with a strong understanding of right and wrong. He values friendships, relationships, and has empathy for others.  For those 11 years, he has no idea what his parents were like or how much they have sacrificed because they love him.   On the other side, we have Tom Riddle, brought up in an orphanage.  Even as a student, Riddle is already trying to manipulate others to amass power for himself. He is a loner with no friends and enjoys frightening other children.  He shows at Hogwarts that he is not above blaming innocent people for things to go his way.   

One has to wonder why Harry turned out to be such a decent person, while Tom turned out to be truly evil, if their personalities are not grounded in nature.  LV also seems to me, so far, to be a shallow fairly uncomplicated character, whereas Harry has some depth to his character and struggles with his emotions.  

Rachel

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