PS/SS Chapters 2 and 3

[Catherine Coleman]

No: HPFGUIDX 27063

Is Dudley's weight a sign of prejudice against big people, or is it just
description?

I don't think so.  I  think it's there for two reasons.  Firstly, to
show how Petunia and Vernon treat Dudley - Dudley's obesity is a sign of
his overindulgence, and I agree with all those who have said in the past
that this is really a form of abuse.  Secondly, it's a way of
contrasting the Dursley's treatment of their son with their treatment of
Harry.  It gives the impression of Harry being half-starved.



Where do the Dursleys get the money for Dudley's presents?

Well, Vernon Dudley obviously holds quite a senior position, and they
don't seem to spend money on expensive holidays etc. So it is no
surprise that they can afford such extravagance where Dudley is
concerned.



Why is the scar lightening shaped?  Will that be significant?

Dramatic effect?



What's up with Mrs. Figg?

My own personal theory is that Mrs Figg is aged up to be an old woman,
and is really a very glamorous contemporary of James etc.  She is grumpy
because she is annoyed that she has to keep the disguise up, and also
she is fed up that she can't talk to Harry about magic.  Therefore, she
feels constrained in his presence, and doesn't talk to him about
anything other than cats for fear of letting something slip.  I did
wonder why in that case she didn't simply turn the TV on, but don't
electronic things generally work strangely around magic?  Hmm, perhaps
not in the Potterverse - have to give that one some thought.

I don't think that she broke her leg - I think it was an excuse to give
Harry a chance to go to the zoo.

Is the cabbage smell in her house an indicator of magic?
Could be.  JKR isn't the only one who seems to associate cabbage with
magic.




Why didn't Petunia recognize Harry's incidents as signs of magic?

I'm sure that she does.  She just chooses to ignore that it is the
source of Harry's misdemeanours.



Why do the Dursleys hate Harry so much?

Obvious.  They don't want him there.  Petunia shows remarkable jealousy
and hatred for Lily, so wouldn't want his son there.  They think that
Harry is a freak and probably worry that he will either harm Dudley, or
corrupt him in some way.  Also - their mantra is very much Keeping up
with the Jones's, and keeping up appearances, and Harry, unfortunately,
jeopardises this.



How did Harry survive their neglect and abuse?

I don't know.  Enormous strength of character.  I'm linking this with
why he isn't more curious about his past, because I think that Harry was
mentally and emotionally shut down during the early years of his life
with the Dursleys.    I think the whole thing has left him numb, as a
defence mechanism.



Didn't Harry think it was odd that he could hear the snake?

Again, lack of curiosity on Harry's part.  Did he think that he imagined
it?






The Letters from No one.

How are the letters delivered?

Magic!  They are self replicating until proper delivery (i.e.. Read by
Harry) has been accomplished.



Wouldn't Petunia know that the letter was coming?

She must have done.  She was probably in denial about all the strange
things Harry has done and was hoping against hope that he wouldn't be a
wizard.




Why did Hogwarts wait to send Hagrid to get Harry?

I don't know.  Perhaps Dumbledore mischievously sent Hagrid because he
knew how intimidating his size would be to the Dursleys.  Perhaps he
thought that Hagrid would be able to cow the Dursleys without resorting
to magic, which any other wizard would not be able to do.  Also, he was
killing two birds with one (philosopher's) stone, because this needed
fetching from Diagon Alley.




Who did you think was knocking on your first read-through?

I loved this part!  So exciting!  The build up was excellent - it was so
obvious that someone was going to come crashing through the door at that
point.  I didn't know it was going to be Hagrid, but I did assume that
it would be someone such as Dumbledore who would be whisking Harry away
to a world of magic and away from the Dursleys.

Catherine