The split is almost even between the two. Nature gives you certain genes/traits/abilities, and the environment turns them on/off. I'd say it's 55-45, favoring Nature.
I don't think Harry could have been evil, even if he was raised like Tom Riddle. He could have turned out more like Snape or Draco, because none of them have what nature gave Tom Riddle: the brain structure of a sociopath. Lots of kids grow up in orphanages without turning into kleptomaniacs or killing small animals and terrorizing other kids. His brain was flawed. Growing up in a home where he was showered with affection 24/7 wouldn't have made any difference at all, unless he was adopted almost IMMEDIATELY and was given a chance to form secure attachments with people who would love him. Harry got that opportunity, so he was pretty much safe from the beginning. He had 15 months of love. Tom didn't, and it left its mark on his brain.
Harry, umm ... well, Harry managed to show almost NO signs of the neglect he suffered. He was resilient and strong and basically bounced back from every punch the Dursleys threw, which was in his NATURE. He could have been destroyed by it and become evil, but that's NOT in his nature. Yeah, he could have made the choice to be like that anyway, but it's not his "default setting". It would take effort.
So, really, Dumbledore is only right up to a certain point. Your choices determine who you are, but some options aren't available. You don't get to make some of the choices, or you may make the choice, but your nature won't allow you to carry it out. With a lot of effort and determination, you can overcome nature. But it's not easy. In fact it requires ... a strong-willed, determined nature!
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I don't think Harry could have been evil, even if he was raised like Tom Riddle. He could have turned out more like Snape or Draco, because none of them have what nature gave Tom Riddle: the brain structure of a sociopath. Lots of kids grow up in orphanages without turning into kleptomaniacs or killing small animals and terrorizing other kids. His brain was flawed. Growing up in a home where he was showered with affection 24/7 wouldn't have made any difference at all, unless he was adopted almost IMMEDIATELY and was given a chance to form secure attachments with people who would love him. Harry got that opportunity, so he was pretty much safe from the beginning. He had 15 months of love. Tom didn't, and it left its mark on his brain.
Harry, umm ... well, Harry managed to show almost NO signs of the neglect he suffered. He was resilient and strong and basically bounced back from every punch the Dursleys threw, which was in his NATURE. He could have been destroyed by it and become evil, but that's NOT in his nature. Yeah, he could have made the choice to be like that anyway, but it's not his "default setting". It would take effort.
So, really, Dumbledore is only right up to a certain point. Your choices determine who you are, but some options aren't available. You don't get to make some of the choices, or you may make the choice, but your nature won't allow you to carry it out. With a lot of effort and determination, you can overcome nature. But it's not easy. In fact it requires ... a strong-willed, determined nature!
Victoria ✫ Gryffindor