Money and the prison of Privet Drive

[plinsenmayer]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C5311
From: plinsenmayer
Subject: Re: Money and the prison of Privet Drive
Reply To: [Yahoo! #5283] Re: Money and the prison of Privet Drive
Date: 7/29/00 11:40 am  (ET)

Hi:

<<<I find it amazing how easily Harry is confined to No. 4 Privet Drive
on a day to day basis. Apart from the 'location' scenes at the start of
Book 1, it seems he hardly leaves the house when he is with the Dursleys,
unless it's to make a dramatic escape or go to Hogwarts. In Book 2,
he goes into the garden, I think.

The point I'm making is, how many 11-14 year old boys do you know who
would spend all their time in the house? Even with no money to spend,
surely Harry would go out for a walk? Is he under a 'confining' spell
on top of the other magic? Is this JKR's way of reinforcing the idea of
the Dursleys' house being his prison?>>>

THIS INVOLVES A MINOR GOF SPOILER SO I'M ADDING IN SOME SPOILER SPACE.

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Actually, I think it says in one of the books (CoS??) that he spent most
of his time outside, staying out from under the Dursleys' noses. I sort of
picture him spending alot of time roaming the neighborhood during the day,
although that does raise interesting issues re: Dumbledore's protections
of him while he's "with the Dursleys." Do the protections extend to all
of Little Whinging? Privet Drive & its immediate environs? What about
his muggle school? Or, has he been at risk if he wanders over to the
next block? Was he at risk at his school all those years?

Curious --

Penny