Vernon's character

[jenny_ravenclaw <meboriqua@aol.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 52698

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "maria_kirilenko 
<maria_kirilenko at y...>" <maria_kirilenko at y...> wrote:
 
> I don't really think there's enough canon to prove that he's smart, 
or to disprove it. But he's got a trait that truly smart and 
intelligent people don't normally have. He is extremely narrow- 
minded. 

I'd hesitate to call Vernon Dursley smart. The portrayal of whole 
family is so grotesque that it doesn't really allow for anything 
positive.>

Hi Maria -

I agree with you about Vernon Dursley.  He may be an extremely hard 
worker but that sure doesn't make him an intelligent one.  Even though 
we don't see him doing much at his job other than yelling at his 
co-workers, I'm sure he didn't get his position of authority by 
chance.  Anyone can be tenacious and ambitious; I went to a private 
high school where the students studied more to get into Ivy League 
schools than for the love of learning.  Vernon strikes me as someone 
who worked hard to make his way up the career ladder, not because he 
loves his job or wants to be good at what he does.

Vernon is also extremely competitive, aware of what his neighbors have 
and wanting to one-up them all the time.  Now, that may have nothing 
to do with intelligence either, but it sure is a stupid way to spend 
time.  Who cares what the neighbors have?  What a waste!

Vernon's reactions are also often on the moronic side.  His temper 
gets the best of him almost every time he interacts with Harry, he 
overreacts to the word 'magic', he goes nearly mad when Harry first 
receives his Hogwarts letters, and in GoF he throws things at Mr. 
Weasley, even though he knew who Arthur was and why he was there.

His "swotty little nancy boy for a son" (hope that quote was right) 
comment in SS was also pretty nasty and narrow minded, IMO.  
'Grotesque' is definitely a fitting word to describe Vernon, as well 
as Petunia and Dudley.  'Exaggerated' fits, too.   

--jenny from ravenclaw ******************