People are often divided by what they view as good or evil. This duality is often subjectivized in society and often leaves us with doubting what is or isn't good or evil. In the Harry Potter series, the question of good, evil, purity and impurity are of major focus, specifically the good which Harry possesses and which Voldemort on the other hand, lacks. Despite the fact that Harry is inherently good, he was almost put in Slytherin house, which is notorious for producing dark wizards. Both Tom Riddle (Voldemort) and Harry Potter share many traits and similarities, yet there is much that differentiates them from one another.
Terrible things have happened to Harry in his childhood. His parents were murdered by the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, so he was brought up (rather begrudgingly) by his Aunt and Uncle. He was disregarded throughout much of his childhood and treated as if he were something smelly found at the bottom of one’s shoe.
Upon his 11th birthday, Harry received the surprise of a lifetime and was informed that he was in fact, a wizard and would be attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Despite his troubled childhood, he lands himself in Gryffindor house. He vanquishes darkness and strives to make wholesome decisions throughout his wizardry.
Tom Riddle, on the other hand, is bad from the get-go. He had a hard childhood, having been raised in an orphanage and finds refuge once he is admitted to Hogwarts. He is sorted into Slytherin house and airs on the side of darkness throughout his time at school.
Tom Riddle, who later morphs into the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, also had a troubled past, and began life at an early age as an orphan. He grows up in a children's orphanage, and much like Harry, he discovers his wizard powers at age 11, and he gets excited to get to Hogwarts. He doesn't know much about his past, and has determined that he would be able to learn about his parentage and history, through the teachings and lectures he would receive at school.
Voldemort was a dedicated, driven student, whom many of the teachers liked. He was respected by his peers, though he didn't really have any friends. Unlike Harry, Tom Riddle was cunning and ruthless, and did whatever it took to move ahead and be the best. He prided himself on his ability to control and manipulate others, and later used this to his advantage to convert Hogwarts students into Death Eaters.
Similar Beginnings, Different Outcomes
As Harry learns about his past, his parent’s deaths, and the dark wizard who caused so much heartbreak, he also discovers that there are many similarities that exist between him and Lord Voldemort. In the second book, Harry is trying to figure out who the heir of Slytherin is, and through his meetings with Dumbledore, he finds out about Voldemort’s past, and discovers much of importance through his memories. Tom riddle tells Harry that “There are strange likenesses between us. Even you must have noticed. Both half-bloods, orphans, raised by Muggles. Probably the only two Parselmouths to come to Hogwarts since the great Slytherin himself. We even look something alike.”
Throughout the movies, Dumbledore and other professors notice the similarities between the two wizards and many wonder if Harry is going to turn out like Voldemort or not. Harry specifically tells the sorting hat in the first novel that he would do anything not to be placed in Slytherin. Tom Riddle on the other hand, was glad to be placed in that house. Harry questions whether the hat made the right decision in placing him in Gryffindor over Slytherin, especially after all the riddles that are uncovered in the Chamber of Secrets. He confronts Dumbledore with his concerns about whether he truly fits in as a brave, bold Gryffindor, or would have been better off if he were placed in Slytherin, like Tom Riddle. Dumbledore reassures him and replies, “Listen to me, Harry. You happen to have many qualities Salazar Slytherin prized in his hand-picked students. His own very rare gift, Parseltongue, resourcefulness, determination, a certain disregard for the rules. Yet it is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
While Harry chooses to use his powers for good, and Tom Riddle chooses to use his for bad, the fact of the matter is that the similarities that exist between the two are byproducts of things that were beyond their control. Neither wizard had a say in whether they were half-bloods, orphaned, raised by muggles or grew up being able to speak to snakes. As Dumbledore states, it is our choices that dictate who we are destined to be. Voldemort uses his power for evil, yet Harry uses his for good.
Harry and Voldemort. "The Chosen One" and "He Who Must Not Be Named." These two wizards are similar on the surface, but different in more ways than one beneath the surface.
