James the Berk?/ James vs. Vernon

[lifeavantgarde]

No: HPFGUIDX 105444

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "delwynmarch" 
<delwynmarch at y...> wrote:
> 
> Stefanie:
> > I love James because he had a family, and loved his family; I 
find 
> > that *very* important.
> 
> Del replies :
> Uh... Vernon has a family and loves his family. We see him 
repeatedly
> putting himself between them and whatever danger seems to be 
menacing
> them. But nobody loves Vernon, right ?
> 

Stefanie responds:
Again, I find this hard because James's situation is such that we 
can't see him futher along in his family life for obvious reasons. I 
do recognize your point, (and I do admit, I got flustered opening up 
your post xo) ) and fairly, since what we do know of Vernon is from 
the third-person voice which identifies with Harry, we could even go 
to the far extreme of saying that the horrible things he does may be 
colored in this light.

However...if we are to trust JKR's characterizations, what we see of 
James and what we see of Vernon are very different forms of 
selflessness. Yes, they both settle down with a wife and a son, but 
(and this is where James's lack of his own future becomes a problem) 
how is Vernon displaying the love we're supposed to see?

--In the snake scene in PS there is no mention of him running to 
Dudley's aid. In fact, he's not mentioned until he's locking Harry 
into his cupboard.

--Is Vernon's relocating of his family for their protection (is he 
putting his life on the line here in the same was James was) more 
out of concern for their safety or out of determination to keep 
Harry's being a wizard under wraps. From his speech and attitude 
during Hagrid's explanation, it seems the latter. Vernon says 
nothing except interjections to either scoff the story or try to 
prevent it's telling.

--In CoS, Vernon parades his son and wife as a barganing tactics for 
his business endeavor, and as a result of the happenings of that 
night willingly throws Harry into a highly abusive situation -- 
there were no threats to his family's safety here...in fact, as he 
had just found out that Harry was no threat, his actions are 
completely unjustified as "protecting his family."

--In PoA we have "'HOW DARE YOU GIVE THIS NUMBER TO PEOPLE LIKE -- 
PEOPLE LIKE YOU!' Uncle Vernon had roared, spraying Harry with 
spit." It doesn't seem that he's concerned about his family's 
safety...just more of the wizard-hatred we've seen in the past books.

--Also in PoA, regarding Aunt Marge -- Vernon does go after Harry 
and yells at him to "PUT HER RIGHT"...but...is this a mark of 
sacrificial love?

--In GoF, before the Weasley's show up, Vernon has nothing to say 
regarding wizards (or regarding their safety) save his disapproval 
at what they would be wearing or their punctuality. Petunia and 
Dudley are around the house apparently waiting to be there when they 
show up. If Vernon had anticipated a dangerous event (such as that 
which had happened with the exploding of the fireplace and the Ton-
Tongue Toffees) he certainly seemed more intent on intimidating the 
wizards rather than making sure his family was safely tucked away.

--In OotP, when he first sees Harry with his "dangerous" wand out, 
his first reaction is to make sure its put away before anyone else 
sees. Now, I can see your point, in this book. He even says "you're 
not endangering my wife and son, you're not bringing trouble down on 
us"

I bring this to the table:
"I like torturing them," said Rowling. "You should keep an eye on 
Dudley. It's probably too late for Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon."

Is it valid to put a member of the old Order of the Phoenix 
(something that says just a bit about one's willingness to extend 
sacrificial love) on a level with someone who in the majority of 
encounters with "The Threat" has been more concerned about decorum 
than the safety of his family? (I have left out how Vernon parents 
because any proof of James's parenting skills would of course be 
mere speculation)

Stefanie