Polite Dumbledore/ Harry's feelings about Dursleys/Moral cruelty and Snape

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 142708

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "dumbledore11214" 
> Alla:
> 
> Oh, IMO,  the similarities are not THAT striking. While both 
> Dumbledore and Voldemort have upper hand so to speak, I have  not 
> noticed Dumbledore trying to kill Dursleys.


a_svirn:
Er? Was Voldemort's "punctilious" observance of the duelling code a 
method to kill Harry? I rather thought he had the Killing Course for 
that. Nope, the purpose of that particular exercise was to humiliate 
Harry. And behind Dumbledor's little display of manners was exactly 
the same motivation. So, I'd say, the similarities are quite 
salient. The only difference is that Voldemort's audience was far 
more appreciative. 

> Alla:
> 
> I think your interpretation and mine are equally valid because 
> nowhere in that scene we hear Harry saying that he is 
uncomfortable 
> watching what Dumbledore does to Dursleys. I mean, you could be 
> right of course that Harry wants to leave because he is 
> uncomfortable, but I think that I can also be right - that Harry 
> wants to leave simply because he always wants to leave  the 
Dursleys.
> 
> Moreover, if you ARE right and Harry is not a big fan of poetic 
> justice, it does not really matter to me ( I mean not that your 
> views do not matter, but Harry's views on the subject for the 
> purpose of this argument do not matter to me :-)) 
> 

a_svirn:
I though we were arguing whether or not Harry felt uneasy about the 
situation. In which case it *does* indeed matter for the purpose of 
*this* discussion. And although you are right and he simply wanted 
to leave the place in the beginning of the chapter, closer to the 
end he was unmistakably embarrassed about the whole thing. Why else 
he "didn't dare to look at the Dursleys" who were cowering on the 
sofa? In my experience averted eyes usually mean that you are 
embarrassed or ashamed or both. 

> Alla:
> I know I AM a big fan of poetic justice and from some episodes in 
> the books I interpret that JKR also is the one. I could be wrong 
of 
> course.

a_svirn:
Why yes, I think you are right and she is. 


> Alla:
> 
> Oh, thanks. You see I have not even thought of Hagrid, because to 
me 
> it was another early example of poetic justice in making. <snip>

a_svirn:
What do you mean "in the making"?!! He actually bestowed a pigtail 
on Dudley that had to be removed surgically. I'd say it's poetic 
justice in full bloom.