DD's dilemma + owl post

[vmonte]

No: HPFGUIDX 126408


Jen Reese wrote:

I can't say for sure, but if you removed the Dursleys from the story
and had Harry raised with Wizards, or made the Dursleys different
characters or even changed the scope of the DD character to more of
an interventionist type, I think some of the magic would be lost.

In the first scenario we wouldn't get to see Harry enter the magical
world for one thing, as he'd already be there. That was the hook for
me, the magic of the story--Harry got a one-of-a-kind oppoortunity
to leave behind this totally disastrous life to be a *wizard*. Who
can't relate to having someone appear and say, 'this isn't who you
really are, let me show you the magical world you really belong to."

In the second scenario, making the Dursleys different characters,
well there's a bit of room there but nothing which is compelling for
me personally.

Say the Dursleys are exactly as they are and raise Harry as
a 'pampered prince' like Dudley. OK. Maybe JKR could get away with
making Harry the same character he his now, but that would be a
stretch. Some people say it's unbelievable that Harry is just a
regular guy after being raised by the Dursleys, but that's not
unbelievable to me. As a social worker in RL I meet phenomenal
people like that all the time. It would be more of a stretch to have
Harry be the character he is after being raised like Dudley, IMO.

vmonte responds:
Fantastic post Jen! I agree with you. 

I love the HP books because they tell children that they have power 
over their own lives. That no matter how lousy their family life may 
be they ultimately are the ones that can choose the path they will 
take. You can either decide to close your heart to love, or you can 
put the past behind you and choose love.    

There are quite a few characters in the HP books that have let their 
past "hurts" negatively influence their present behavior.  These 
characters are forever stuck in a vindictive and or martyr-like loop. 
Their behavior is also infantile and sometimes cruel. It's kind of 
pathetic when you really think about it. 

Harry on the other hand is who he is DESPITE the abuse and neglect he 
received from the Dursleys. That's pretty amazing in my book! 

I think JKR is telling kids to take responsibility for their own 
lives.  

Vivian