Is it worse for Harry or Dudley at 4 Privet?

squeakinby squeakinby at tds.net
Sun Apr 18 15:10:15 UTC 2004


No: HPFGUIDX 96301

Even though Dudley is the Dursley scion, one might make quite an 
argument that he is being abused as well.  As the pampered pet, Dudley 
has no realistic conception of the RW.  He's being overfed to the point 
of ill-health (even the UK has a rise in childhood obesity), he's had an 
over-reliance on video games hence he is probably experiencing some 
degree of illiteracy even though he attends the prestigious Smeltings.
(A smelting is a fish, is it not?  To smelt is to fuse.  Or smelt is 
simply the past participle of smell.)  Undoubtedly Dudley will grow up 
to owe far too much on credit cards as he's been given no notion of the 
value of money, and, sadly, will one day be forced to declare 
bankruptcy.  As a bully, he has no true friends, just compatriots cowed 
by him.  He must beat up little 10 year old Mark Evans to prove his 
stature in his community.

What does a bully want?  Love and realistic feedback.  Dudley apparently 
receives neither.

Who has a greater sense of self?

Jem







More information about the HPforGrownups archive