why Dumblelore does what he does

[dicentra_spectabilis_alba]

No: HPFGUIDX 33097

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "pippin_999" <foxmoth at q...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at y..., Katze <jdumas at k...> wrote:
>  I like to believe that Dumbledore was not fully aware
> > of the Dursely's treatment of Harry before he arrived at 
> Hogwarts, but
> > surely he knew that he stayed in the cupboard because of the 
> way the
> > letter was addressed. Harry does at least have his own room 
> now.
> 
>   Dumbledore might have had a  reason for tolerating the closet. 

Remember, though, that we're talking about a work of fiction. JKR has
no intention of making the Dursleys in any way real. Their actions are
exaggerated for the sake of comedy--poking fun at unimaginative people
in general and making an enjoyable story. It's not unlike Charlie's
miserable but fictional poverty in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The very idea of keeping a kid in the cupboard under the stairs is
ludicrous--and hilarious.  So is the way in which they spoil Dudley,
and their reaction to all things magic (the letters, etc.).  JKR wrote
Harry as a kid who survives it all and keeps his humanity intact,
which would not happen if the fictional HP world were meant to
function the same as the real world.

Dicentra, who thinks the Dursleys are a scream.