In Defense of DD (was Re: DD's dilemma)

[Someone]

No: HPFGUIDX 126703


Lupinlore:
> Well, Nora (nrenka) has recently answered this one, so I will 
> quote her:
> 
> I'd say the most important thing in the plot of the series is 
> that Harry has a very real and tangible reluctance to go to 
> adults for help, and this is a result of adults always having
> been unreliable in his life. <snip>
> 
> There's no denying Harry's bitterness when he states about 
> Petunia that "She never loved me!". He's reluctant to engage 
> with the Weasleys, who are happy to try to be surrogate parents. 
> Harry is reluctant to let anyone know about his scar pains in
> GoF, but does open up about that to Sirius, indicating the rare 
> position of trust that Sirius holds for him. <snip>

John:
I would say that Harry's reluctance to engage with the adults in 
his life is less about their "unreliability" in his eyes, than 
Harry's own personality, his feeling the need to constantly prove 
himself. Harry's reluctance to confide in (virtually) anyone other 
then his peers, and perhaps BiggerBrother!Sirius, is born out of 
the fear of tarnishing other people's view of him. 

I think you'll find that this is a characteristic very common in 
adolescent boys, healthy home-life or otherwise.

> Lupinlore now:
> I will just add that I agree totally.  Harry bears many deep 
> scars from his time at the Dursleys, and Dumbledore should 
> acknowledge them and admit to his own culpability in their 
> creation.

John:
You make it sound as if Harry is in need of some serious therapy! 
(Then again, perhaps he is, but only because of the trauma he has 
experienced since entering the WW.)

Just enlighten me with a few more of these "MANY deep scars" (my 
emphasis) inflicted upon Harry. IMO he arrives at Hogwarts, as DD 
says, as normal a boy as could be expected under the circumstances; 
and, in fact, a good deal healthier than many kids. Sure he has 
his flaws; just don't confuse those inherent in his person with 
the "scarring" inflicted by the Dursleys. 

My opinion, for what it's worth.

John.