Dumbledore on the Dursleys... - DD's Speech; A to B

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 151389

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "justcarol67" <clthoma at ...> wrote:
>
> Carol adds:
> 
> ...edited...
> 
> ...
> 
> Harry was about to leave for the summer. DD had to say everything he
> could at one time, and he could not be sidetracked by what Harry,
> given his mood, might take as false sympathy for the loss of his
> godfather. He had to get on with the business at hand, chiefly the
> Prophecy and its consequences.
> 

bboyminn:

To this I say 'BRAVO'. I think that very concisely summarises
Dumbledore position and explains his action. The opportunity and the
need were there, and Dumbledore seized them both.


> Carol concludes:
>
> ...edited..
> 
> Carol, who disliked DD's criticism of the Dursleys in HBP 
> (though they deserved it) and felt that JKR was bowing to reader
> criticism of OoP rather than standing her ground and keeping the 
> characterization of DD consistent
>

bboyminn:

Just a side comment on this one point, don't you think that
Dumbledore's speech to the Dursleys at the beginning of HBP was an
extention of his realization and admission of his mistakes at the end
of OotP? 

Further, was Dumbledore's critical comments to the Dursleys, since it
was completely lost on them, for their benefit, or was it really for
Harry's benefit? Was this actually Dumbledore trying in some small way
to admit his mistake and make up for the Dursley's treatment of Harry?
Of course, it could never physically make up for it, but it might have
the power to give Harry some satisfaction to see the Dursleys
confronted for their 'crimes' even if there was no punishment? 

To some extent, the Dursleys had the attitude that they could treat
Harry any way they wanted because no one could ever see or know what
they did. Of course, I think a large degree of that was subconscious;
or perhaps a conscious avoidance of the issue. Now they are openly and
publicly (in a sense) being call to task for their actions. Finally,
someone of great power and importance is acknowledging that what the
Dursleys did is wrong, unnecessary, and uncalled for. Further in
calling them to task, Dumbledore is acknowleding his own fault in the
matter. Again, it doesn't change anything, but I think Harry got some
satisfaction out of it.

That particular scene also serves another purpose, in a subtle and
indirect way, the location of 12 Grimmauld Place has been revealed to
the Dursleys by the 'Secret Keeper'. That may or may not be
significant, but it has been done, and is a plot point ready to play
out if JKR decides she needs it. There are some who presume that after
Harry's next birthday, the Dursleys will be attacked and Harry will
have to offer them sancutary at Grimmauld Place. Though I admit, given
all the story that remains to be told, Dursley at Grimmauld Place
seems like a distraction.


Which now brings me to a quick summary of the entire HBP book. In a
sense, this book is a prelude to book seven, and in that sense, it is
a very limiting book for the author. The purpose of the books is to
take the overall story from point A to point B, and those points are
predetermined. The story has to go from where it is at to where it
NEEDS to be when book seven starts. I think those two predetermined
points restricts what can happen in between, especially when so many
significant plot points and information transfers must occur to get
the story to where it needs to be. 

I think JKR had her greatest freedom to write in GoF. In that book,
she could take the plot just about anywhere. She can explore her world
at will, and it shows. In HBP, that freedom is greatly reduced, and a
long list of specific things have to occur between the beginning and
the end. 

Personally, I thought a fight between Draco and Harry over the Black
Estate and a continuation of the DA Club would have been a more
interesting story, but JKR is not in a position to diverge. She can't
let the story wander into the many interesting subplot because she has
a very specific destination in mind, and she must drive the story to
that destination. So, the Black Estate subplot is resolved in a few
paragraphs. Snape's inconsistencies and questions are resolved in a
short chapter; though more were created than answered in his case. The
Dursleys are taken to task and we move on because there will be no
place else in the story where that can occur. Draco needs to do what
Draco needs to do. Snape must do what Snape must do. Dumbledore has to
educate Harry about the Horcruxes because they are obviously critical
to the final book. Dumbledore needs to die.

Things HAD to be done, and the best JKR could do is weave the best
possible story around those very necessary elements. HBP is not at the
top of my list of favorite HP books. But, just as with CoS, I grow
more fond of it with each reading, especially now that the hype and
intense expectations have softened.

Now in the final book, there is no need for more mysteries, in this
book the secrets are revealed and the mysteries are solved, and we
know, finally, what it all means. I sounds like the book is
progressing nicely, and however long or short it is, however good or
bad it is, it's been a fun ride, one that I will be sad see come to an
end. 

For what it's worth.

STeve/bboyminn