the view from Harry's glasses

[friendofkittens]

No: HPFGUIDX 72258

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "elady25" <imamommy at s...> wrote:
> I think it interesting they haven't kept him 
> more cared-for-looking, given how important the neighbors' opinions 
> are to the Dursleys.
> 
> imamommy

I think the Dursleys are distancing themselves from Harry, and by 
forcing him to wear Dudley's cast-off clothes, and telling people he 
goes to St Brutus', they are cultivating an image for him as a 
scruffy no-good lout.  As soon as he is of age and they can be rid of 
him, they won't be seen (by the nieghbours) as kicking out a 
relative, rather getting themselves rid of a delinquent child.  THe 
irony, of course, is that Dudley is the delinquent.  Appearances 
aren't everything!

(My first post!)