Sadism or not WAS: Re: Lack of re-examination

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 186609

> > > Pippin:
> <SNIP>
> > >  I think Snape both likes and needs to cause pain, emotional if not physical, and it's become a habit.
> > 
> > a_svirn:
> > If it's become a habit, then he chooses to use it. You can't become accustomed to something you don't practice. 
> <BIG SNIP>
> 
> Alla:
> 
> Are you saying that Snape does not **practice** inflicting emotional pain and that is why he cannot be called a sadist or are you saying something different? 

a_svirn:
I am saying that if someone, let say Snape, needs and finds an outlet for his inner needs, so much so that it's become a habit even, then the whole in heart/in practice thing is totally redundant and only obfuscates the matter at hand. If he's cruel that's because he chooses to *act* cruelly. Is heart as cruel as his actions? More cruel? Less cruel? Does it matter? Would it matter if he had a heart of gold if he still bullied Neville mercilessly?