by Mistress Siana » Tuesday 1 March 2005 4:20:48am
Yes, the part with Neville's mum was one of the most touching parts in the books, I think. But revenge won't heal her, and revenge won't make Neville feel better. One crime cannot be made undone with another. If Neville became a murderer because of Bellatrix, it would make the whole story even sadder, because in that case, she wouldn't only have destroyed Frank and Alice Longbottom, but also the kindness and innocence in the heart of their child. It would be a full victory of Bellatrix, a triumph of hate over love, and the insanity would go on and on. Revenge is never righteous, it is a dark carricature of righteous feelings.
Salazar Slytherin's fear of Muggles was righteous, and so was Tom Riddle's hate for his father. Their revenge never brought justice, only destruction and pain. Severus Snape starves for revenge, and he's not a happy man. Not at all.
Revenge will consume you. Who knows, maybe even Bellatrix's first reason was just that?