Harry's upbringing

[Joanne0012 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 30561

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., nancyaw2001 at y... wrote:
> I am new to this list, so forgive me if this topic has come up 
> before...
> It's amazing to me that Harry is able, despite his childhood with the 
> Dursley's, to love and to trust. I would argue that his treatment by 
> the Dursleys borders on child abuse--psychological, emotional, and 
> physical (when Dursley grabs Harry and is yelling at him). Certainly 
> Harry is reticent when it comes to showing emotion (seems like I read 
> somewhere that that is a hallmark of abused childen) but has JKR ever 
> commented on the fact of Harry's abuse?

Yes, she has.  She sid "I feel sorry for Dudley. I might joke about him, but I feel 
truly sorry for him because I see him as just as abused as Harry. Though, in 
possibly a less obvious way,"  in an interview about a year ago.

http://www.cinescape.com/0/Editorial.asp?aff_id=0&this_cat=Books&action=
page&obj_id=25917

There's no doubt in my mind that Harry has been abused -- put in the cupboard 
despite there being plenty of room, and being locked in there and deprived of 
food in exchange for misbehavior.  Being literally treated as a nonperson when 
the Dursleys have dinner guests, etc.

Harry does act like an emotionally abused kid, hiding his emotional reactions 
and constantly doubting his own value.  His coping does, however, seem to be 
like kids who are described as "resilient," they are true Stoics, with an inner 
life and confidence that they manage to hide, but which enables them to 
blossom once they're released.  We have seen how Harry eventually learns to 
stand up to the Dursleys; in the beginning of PoA, when he negotiates with 
Vernon about getting his Hogsmeade permission form signed in exchanged for 
behaving around Aunt Marge.