"Delicate" Harry

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 43034

I'm a bit stuck on something, and before I get into it I'll admit I get stuck on the stupidest things.  :)  Anyway, what exactly is meant by "delicate" in reference to Harry?  Let me elaborate first, starting with PoA:

After the dementor incident on the train, Harry is shuffled off to McGonagall's office where Madam Pomfrey comes bustling in, clucking her disapproval over the matter and so on.  

Madam Pomfrey: "Yes, he's all clammy.  Terrible things, they are, and the effect they have on people who are already delicate--"  

Harry: "I'm not delicate!"

Which I thought was confirmed later on when Lupin explains to Harry exactly what is happening to him when the dementors come around.

But in an interview (same BBC one referenced in earlier posts) JKR agrees with the interviewer when he/she says "Harry is delicate, isn't he?"

So my point being, what is meant by delicate?  It could be a simple case of the use of the word in British English versus American English.  So that's why I'm posting this rather odd question.  I've always taken "delicate" to mean sickly.  Well, Harry's not sickly.  He's only in the hospital for injuries, it's not like he's always got the flu or a virus or something.

I suppose it could be taken to mean "emotionally delicate" which I would agree to.  How do the rest of you view this wording?

Thanks for helping me clear the cobwebs here! :)

Richelle

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Richelle R. Votaw
1st grade teacher
Kentwood Elementary
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