Harry - the name

[plinsenmayer]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C3026
From: plinsenmayer
Subject: Re: Harry - the name
Reply To: [Yahoo! #3023] Harry - the name
Date: 6/28/00 7:28 pm  (ET)

Hi:

<<<Mr Dursley ponders over Harry's name at the start of PS - "it might
have been Harvey. Or Harold." This suggests that he, and possibly JK
Rowling, regard Harry and Harold as different names.>>>>>

Thanks Neil -- that's yet another great reason he likely isn't Harold
Potter. And, I like your other Dursley-ish clues why his name is likely
Harry.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I always thought JKR was slyly poking fun at
the Dursleys early on with that dialogue. Aunt Petunia says her nephew's
name is "Harry -- nasty common name." In the UK, isn't Dudley actually
regarded as a more "common" name (as opposed to upper-crust) than Harry
(no offense to any Dudleys out there --I'm speaking in generalities
here)? In other words, wouldn't most upper-class Brits favor Harry over
Dudley? I have that impression, and so I always felt like it was just
a little jab at the pretensions of the Dursleys.

Penny