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

[Rebecca Hoskins]

No: HPFGUIDX 138373

Eleanor
> Actually, what I see is that Voldemort had problems feeling empathy,
> probably slightly autistic in nature. 

I think you are thinking of psychopaths/ sociapaths. Such people, 
whilst aware of feelings in others do not consider these things to 
matter. They understand social rules  and so can comply with them 
when they need to be seen to be following them, but don't feel that 
these rules actually apply to them (think of how Tom was able to be 
seen  as a model student - no autistic child could do that). But at a 
very basic level they are unencumbered by guilt or feelings of 
empathy.

Autism is very different. Most autistic children are very 
affectionate and caring, only their awareness of the complexity of 
other people's emotions is limited. Once alerted to the fact that 
their actions were hurting others they would be likely to be 
mortified. What they lack is the automatic ability to see the point 
of view of others. Voldemort doesn't give a monkeys about the point 
of view of others, but he doe shave the understanding, which is how 
come he can manipulate people so easily.

I hope you can see the distinction. Please feel free to send me a 
private message of you wish to query any of the above.

Rebecca
(mother of Kaia, a very wonderful little autistic girl)