Dursley's bribed?, charmed? or afraid?

[probonoprobono <probono@rapidnet.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 50792

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Ali <Ali at z...>" <Ali at z...> 
wrote:
was 

 
> Being a director of a company is not the same as being 
a "manager", 
> and we don't have the term "Vice-President" in many English 
> companies. Being a Director of a company could imply being the 
owner 
> of the company. Small private limited companies have one director 
and 
> only have to have 2 issued shares, issued to, yes, you've got it, 
the 
> director. 
> 
> Vernon could quite easily be the owner. Also, many companies are 
very 
> small, and owning a company whilst it might sound grand, does not 
> imply great wealth. As an indicator, many self employed people set 
> themselves up as limited companies for tax reasons. Likewise, 
Vernon 
> would probably have a company car for tax reasons. Our tax laws 
have 
> changed recently to make this slightly less popular, but ownership 
of 
> the company would definitely not be a reason not to have a company 
> car.

I respectfully disagree. I think if Vernon owned the company, 
Rowling would have been more specific. Personally, I think the 
reason she mentions the title 'Director' at all at this point is to 
show that Vernon has got a promotion. She seems to be showing the 
Dursley's gradually moving up in the world throughout the series. 

I also agree that Dursley lives like somebody in a top management 
position, not a CEO. Mainly because I have always believed that 
Grunnings manufactures industrial drills (as opposed to hand drills 
or dentists drills, for instance).  I think Rowling proves my theory 
when Vernon sets up a big deal with the Masons, who I believe owned 
a construction company in states (don't have the books here, sorry)? 

Companies that manufacture industrial drills aren't small privately 
held operations. They are multi-billion dollar corporations, the 
owners/presidents/CEO's of which don't live in quaint little houses 
in the suburbs but instead own numerous large estates, acres upon 
acres of land, investment properties, vacation homes etc. etc. etc. 

Well anyhoo, that's my reasoning, for what it's worth!
-Tanya