[HPforGrownups] A writer's power of imagination (was: Abusive behavior)

[Jinx]

No: HPFGUIDX 1743


> I have to agree with Peg.  I've read nothing to suggest that JKR had
> anything other than a happy childhood.  That's not to say that she
*wasn't*
> abused, but every indication is that she was not.  She's a powerful
writer,
> and I don't think it's necessarily true that she would have needed to
> experience child abuse first-hand in order to write about it effectively.
> There are a number of explanations that run the gamut from (a) she *was*
an
> abused child herself (most extreme); (b) she had friends or close
relatives
> who lived through this experience; (c) she worked with abused children in
> some capacity at some time in her life; (d) she read extensively on the
> subject as Peg suggests is possible, conducted interviews, etc.; or (e)
she
> has no more than general knowledge of this problem but was able to
translate
> it effectively into her books nonetheless (the other extreme).  There are
> probably a number of other options between my (a) & (e).
>
> While I think there *are* possibly some experiences that are best conveyed
> by an author if they have some personal experience with the matter, I
don't
> think this is one of them.

You know, this is probably going to get me called all sorts of things but
nevertheless...

I do not think that the Dursley's treatment of Harry was derived from actual
research into child abuse.  Yes, it almost certainly qualifies as such.  BUT
Harry spends 99% of his time during the books at Hogwarts.  And once he has
some magic up his sleeve, he manages to use all sorts of devious tricks to
get the Dursleys behaving nicely to him.  Their behaviour is not a central
part of the books, the fight against Voldy is.  And I think that the
Dursleys were lifted, not from abuse accounts, but from Roald Dahl (in
particular, Matilda).  They and their actions are just too comical to be
taken seriously.  I've heard real accounts of child abuse and the two don't
tally that closely.  It's a good plot device, and a classic theme, to have
an ill-treated child discover their true identity and come into their power
as a result.  It doesn't necessarily follow that JKR had to study abuse
accounts to do it.  I don't think she intended it to be a gritty depiction
of child abuse, more a good plot device and way of establishing sympathy for
Harry from the outset.

As for how it went unnoticed at school...

My favourite theory is that Vernon is a Freemason and is using his contacts
to keep Social Services off his back.  : )  Let's face it, he's the type to
have joined them.

(Sorry to offend any real life masons on the list, but you've got to admit -
that sort of thing does occur from time to time.)

Jinx