Against all odds, Harry isn't a mass murderer

[siriuskase]

No: HPFGUIDX 56389

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, h vick <hmvick78 at y...> wrote:

> I completely agree with Fandulin  – her astute observation that the
brilliance of JKR is the fact that we, even as adults, have been
"magically" transported to a place so real, we're discussing it with
each other.  But, I disagree with what the majority of what's been
said about the Dursleys.  I do not believe that they are really
abusive or truly evil.  Rather, I think they're just, well, dim when
it comes to parenting or loving anyone – as evidenced by their
remarkable backward parenting of Dudley.
>

Great Analysis here of Harry's situation with the Dursleys

> Finally, I guess I kind of buy the notion that perhaps the Dursleys
were paid or threatened, but even if they were, it does not
necessarily point to their abusive evil-ness.  They ARE muggles, after
all, and don't understand the world Harry lives in 9 months out of the
year.  It's a form of xenophobia, isn't it?  They're just afraid of
the "other" and, while that would categorize them as evil in some
people's minds, I've always thought of them as a pathetic lot who
deserves more pity than hatred.  They're mean spirited because they're
in an uncomfortable situation of an adolescent boy, who's not like
anything they know, is coming of age under their roof, not because of
a sick psychotic need to emotionally traumatize a kid.  
> 
> All in my humble opinion, of course.  
>
> hmvick

It is nice to see an opinion that ocmes so close to mine.  I'll try
not to repeat what you wrote, but I'll try to add a few knuts of my own.  

IMO, the Dursleys are trying very much to protect Harry from the force
that killed his parents and probably Petunia's parents.  They don't
distinguish between good magic and bad magic.  To them, Harry is mixed
up with magic and that is bad.  They don't try to get rid of Harry,
they don't physically hurt him, but they cause much psychologyical
harm by denying such a fundamental part of his personality.  And since
they don't know anything about either magic or child rearing, they are
doing a terrible job of bringing up boys.

sirius kase