[HPforGrownups] Re: Food and body image in the series

[Scott Santangelo]

No: HPFGUIDX 68089



jenny_ravenclaw <meboriqua at aol.com> wrote:
"Beth Currie" <lists at d...> wrote:
The portrayal of Dudley and his weight problem also bugs me.  We hear how overweight he is, yet when he is forced to diet, all we hear about is Harry sneaking upstairs after eating his grapefruit to have a "proper breakfast" of cake . . . I think it is generally agreed upon here that Dudley is a victim of abuse as much as Harry is.  JKR's portrayal of the Dursleys as parents shows them as enablers, who are happy to keep their son fat and stupid 
so he will always be dependent on them . . .

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I don't buy it. Dudley a victim of abuse like Harry is?! I'm ok with the "fat" and "stupid" parts, but Dudley is more manipulative of his parents than they will ever be of him. Dudley consciously chooses to tack on the pounds and to bully children, where his parents simply give in to (fine, enable) his behaviors. At least Petunia finally acknowledges the weight problem and tries to do something about it. While that may be helpful to Dudley it's like putting Harry on a starvation diet. Petunia dosen't seem to care about that! I'd be squirreling away rations, too, and I wouldn't be too particular about balanced meals at that point. As to education, Dudley's given every chance to attend quality schools, and clearly both parents are proud of his achievements. Harry is labeled as a juvenile delinquent and cut-off from the most basic resources (as if Dudley would ever want to watch the evening news!).



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