Dursley's Treatment of Harry

[bboy_mn]

No: HPFGUIDX 41371

I know there is already a thread going about this, but it's gotten
kind of long and complex. 

I just want to make a simple point about the Dursley's treatment of
Harry. First, we let ourselves get carried away trying to analyse this
from a real world perspective. But it's not the real world; it's a
story. A standard vehicle or technique in books and movies, is to
create a sympathetic character. From the very beginning, we need a
reason to be on Harry's side. We need our deepest inner instincts to
tell us that this is someone we care about. It's a classic story line,
the wicked step-(insert here) and the poor down trodden Hero. Anybody
remember Cinderella. 

Also, we need contrast; if Harry leads a fun normal comfortable
suburban life, then the transition to Hogwarts in not that great. By
contrast, the transition from poor helpless abused waif to the
adventurous hero of a nation (wizard's nation/world) is pretty
significant.

Also, notice that as Harry grows, the Dursleys have no choice but to
lighten up; each year the are less strict with him. It's easy to push
around and control a 6 year old boy, but ask any parent, they'll tell
you it's almost impossible to control a 16 year old. Plus, going from
helpless waif to hero is bound to increase Harry's self-esteem.

I personally think events will occur the will alter the Dursley's
attitude toward Harry; maybe a heroic act of saving them or something.
Or it may just be that as Harry gets older the Dursleys realize that
what they so desperately feared (Harry as a wizard) is not so
fightening after all. 

bboy_mn