More on Dursleys

[a_rude_mechanical]

No: HPFGUIDX 56271

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "darrin_burnett" 
<bard7696 at a...> wrote:
> 
> First, Katie, thank you for giving me the courtesy of a response 
and 
> not condescendingly blathering about how we shouldn't take this 
> seriously. 
> 
> There are 55,000 posts here. That horse has already escaped the 
barn.
> 
> 
> Darrin
> -- I come here because I want one thing I don't have to take 
> seriously, damn it.

Okay.  I can only assume you are referring to me.  I want to clarify 
something--a couple things.  

First of all, I'm a member here too--I lurve the HP series and 
fantasy in general.  I was NOT raising issue with close examination 
of the books--you're talking about a woman who could spend hours 
discussing the properties of the Marauder's Map!  I love HP because 
it is something I don't have to take seriously.  (yeesh)

On to the topic at hand.  Harry's life at the Dursleys.  From the 
first book on, the Dursleys are written as caricatures of our boring-
est neighbors, rather than real people.  From their physical 
descriptions (ie Dudley being the size of a small whale) to their 
actions (ie locking Harry in a cupboard) they are clearly larger-than-
life characters.  When I said they are not meant to be taken 
seriously, all I meant was that--although we do feel sorry for Harry--
his predicament is written to be over-exaggerated and humorous.  I 
wouldn't enjoy the books so much otherwise, I don't think, because 
the question would indeed come up:  why, Dumbldore?  Why allow him to 
go back?

Am I totally alone on this one?

Elisabeth, (who apologizes for blathering condescendingly...)