The Dursleys and Harry: Neglect or abuse?

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 115180


Carol:
> They also keep him in a cupboard under the stairs, complete with 
> spiders, at least till he receives his Hogwarts letters.
> <snip> 
> Still, he isn't beaten or subjected to punishments of the sort 
> that, say, Victorian children had to endure. Setting aside the 
> snide remarks that the Dursleys occasionally make about his 
> parents, which again take us into the grey area of emotional abuse, 
> maybe he's neglected by the Dursleys rather than abused?<<
 
 
Stefanie (making a reappearance!):
> "Harry paid dearly for his moment of fun. As neither Dudley nor the 
> hedge was in any way hurt, Aunt Petunia knew he hadn't really done 
> magic, but he still had to duck as she aimed a heavy blow at his 
> head with the soapy frying pan." (CoS 1 [pg 16 - Bloomsbury 
> Paperback])
> 
> In the whole beginning sequence of CoS, we see the Dursley's and 
> Harry at *breakfast* conversing about the Masons' visit, pause for 
> the obligitory back story, resume at breakfast, Harry v. Dudley 
> action, gets in trouble and is "[given] work to do, with the 
> promise he wouldn't eat again until finished," (CoS 1) and then 
> we're told that he finishes working at 7:30.
> 
> If this isn't abuse, I can't see what is.


SSSusan:
There is also, in PoA, the time when Aunt Marge is about to arrive, 
and Harry wants to cut a deal--he'll "remember" he goes to St. 
Brutus' if Uncle Vernon will sign his Hogsmeade form.  When he 
suggests this, UV threatens to "knock the stuffing" out of Harry.  
Also in the same chapter, we learn that Dudley's favorite form of 
entertainment is watching UV "bully" Harry.

So, while we don't SEE the physical abuse--I suspect JKR wanted to 
spare us the details?--it's fairly apparent, to me at least, that 
it's happening.  How could it be Dudders' favorite form of 
entertainment if it doesn't happen?

Siriusly Snapey Susan