- he joined the Death Eaters. We have no clear idea what he thought at the time he was getting into, or why he joined. We have no indication that between then and Lily's targeting that he did or did not feel uncomfortable with what he was being asked to do (whatever that was - we're not told what he did other than spy and possibly make potions). As an adult, we have some indication that he tried to save everyone he could. - he once, in a moment of rage and humiliation after being tortured, uses the word mudblood in reference to her. It is clearly directed against James, as a slight regarding his choice for the object of his attention and thus his manhood. It also seems to be an attempt to deny the weakness he probably felt at having to be rescued by a Gryffindor girl in front of half the school, presumably including some of his fellow Slytherins. Teenage males can be quite defensive about their manhood, and House politics may have added quite a bit of tension to the situation (did he fear rejection or worse by his Housemates? Unclear.) It's possible that he meant it literally, and it's equally possible that it was a (very badly) calculated move to lash out at James and recoup some of his status in the eyes of his fellow guys and Slytherins. We do know that he was deeply apologetic afterwards, and to some extent recognized that he ought not to have said it. We don't know if he recognized that he ought not to think it as well, or if he did or did not indeed actually think that way at all beforehand. - Decades later he once reprimands Phineas' portrait for using the word. - We never see him take other action against anyone, student or otherwise, to discourage Muggleborn prejudice. - We never see him take any other action against anyone, student or otherwise, indicative of prejudice against them for being Muggle/born or tolerance of such prejudice.
Part II cont.
- he joined the Death Eaters. We have no clear idea what he thought at the time he was getting into, or why he joined. We have no indication that between then and Lily's targeting that he did or did not feel uncomfortable with what he was being asked to do (whatever that was - we're not told what he did other than spy and possibly make potions). As an adult, we have some indication that he tried to save everyone he could.
- he once, in a moment of rage and humiliation after being tortured, uses the word mudblood in reference to her. It is clearly directed against James, as a slight regarding his choice for the object of his attention and thus his manhood. It also seems to be an attempt to deny the weakness he probably felt at having to be rescued by a Gryffindor girl in front of half the school, presumably including some of his fellow Slytherins. Teenage males can be quite defensive about their manhood, and House politics may have added quite a bit of tension to the situation (did he fear rejection or worse by his Housemates? Unclear.) It's possible that he meant it literally, and it's equally possible that it was a (very badly) calculated move to lash out at James and recoup some of his status in the eyes of his fellow guys and Slytherins. We do know that he was deeply apologetic afterwards, and to some extent recognized that he ought not to have said it. We don't know if he recognized that he ought not to think it as well, or if he did or did not indeed actually think that way at all beforehand.
- Decades later he once reprimands Phineas' portrait for using the word.
- We never see him take other action against anyone, student or otherwise, to discourage Muggleborn prejudice.
- We never see him take any other action against anyone, student or otherwise, indicative of prejudice against them for being Muggle/born or tolerance of such prejudice.