Good points, but reading carefully, it seems Riddle’s hero persona wasn’t a pure “lonely hero.” Rather:
There was a man who was hailed as a savior. The destined scion, such a one as anyone would recognize from tales, wielding justice and vengeance like twin wands against his dreadful nemesis.
Also:
Several times he led forces against the Death Eaters, fighting with skillful tactics and extraordinary power. People began to speak of him as the next Dumbledore, it was thought that he might become Minister of Magic after the Dark Lord fell.
However:
It was as if they tried to do everything they could to make his life unpleasant… I was shocked how they seemed content to step back, and leave to that man all burdens of responsibility. They sneered at his performance, remarking among themselves how they would do better in his place, though they did not condescend to step forward.
In particular, Quirrell’s Yule speech reminded Bones of one or more speeches hero-Riddle apparently gave, which she describes as “castigating the previous generation for their disunity against the Death Eaters.”
So taken together, it seems hero-Riddle was widely liked, and could have been the next Minister of Magic had he so chose. However, Riddle was upset about the fact that other people did not unite behind him strongly enough, did not take enough responsibility, and said mean things about him. (Note Riddle’s decision making process based on what he enjoys doing most.)
He may have also worked himself into the awkward situation where, though he intended “Voldemort” to lose the war, it wasn’t quite clear how that was going to happen because Voldemort’s followers were more united.
Good points, but reading carefully, it seems Riddle’s hero persona wasn’t a pure “lonely hero.” Rather:
Also:
However:
In particular, Quirrell’s Yule speech reminded Bones of one or more speeches hero-Riddle apparently gave, which she describes as “castigating the previous generation for their disunity against the Death Eaters.”
So taken together, it seems hero-Riddle was widely liked, and could have been the next Minister of Magic had he so chose. However, Riddle was upset about the fact that other people did not unite behind him strongly enough, did not take enough responsibility, and said mean things about him. (Note Riddle’s decision making process based on what he enjoys doing most.)
He may have also worked himself into the awkward situation where, though he intended “Voldemort” to lose the war, it wasn’t quite clear how that was going to happen because Voldemort’s followers were more united.