Harry abused by Dursleys / Re: Harry at the Dursleys

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 118383



Lupinlore:

I agree with Alla on this.  I really don't see how anyone could 
seriously argue that Harry is not an abused child as that term is 
commonly understood and that the series is not, therefore, about an 
abused child. 
 
Now, it is possible that JKR did not *mean* to write a series about 
an abused child.  No one has ever put the question to her so 
bluntly.  However, if I recall correctly she did say "I do feel 
sorry for Dudley.  Vernon and Petunia have, in a way, abused him as 
badly as they've abused Harry."  I may be wrong, however.
 
Whatever JKR *meant* I think there is plentiful evidence *in the 
text* that Harry is indeed a victim of child abuse.  And I think 
there is plentiful evidence that he is exhibiting symptoms of that 
abuse.  I don't think we are warranted in dismissing that because of 
what JKR's intentions may or may not be -- at least not at this 
juncture.


Alla:

Thank you for your support. :)

Yes, indeed. I also don't know whether JKR meant from the beginning 
to write series about abused child or not. Maybe she fully intended 
to write a fairy tale about hero, who triumphs over all evil forces, 
including his evil relatives.

But here again we have a question about how much authoritarial 
intention should matter in interpretation of the books. Whether she 
meant it or not, she gave us "real" or "kind of real" accidents of 
the abuse ( not the WORST abuse in the world, but still abuse). 
Whether she meant it or not - Harry's pain and hurt from what 
Dursleys do to him IS the attitude of the abused child.

I wanted him to blew out earlier than OOP, but again, I take what I 
can get.

"She never loved me" - I'd say it is abused child speaking.


Now, I do think that Harry is on his road to recovery, because with 
every book he is less and less afraid of Dursleys, but I disagree 
that this means that he was never abused in the first place.

I'd say here is where "fairytale" element kicks in or maybe in OOP 
the fact that adults finally decided to say something.