The "Bad Writing Clue": Dumbledore and the Dursley's, revisited

[Bart Lidofsky]

No: HPFGUIDX 149852

Bart:
	There is something in literature that does not have a name, but I have 
called the "bad writing clue". This is based on the principle: if you 
see bad writing from an otherwise good writer, it is a good assumption 
that it is on purpose, and is revealing a plot secret.

	Given that, I have reread and rethought Dumbledore's visit to the 
Dursley's. It has been correctly pointed out that Dumbledore's behavior 
is, whether excusable or not, very uncharacteristic, and goes against 
several themes of the books. Looking at this as a "bad writing clue", 
one can make a couple of assumptions, and work backwards:

	1) Dumbledore has the right to burst in on the Dursley's as he did.
	2) Dumbledore has the right to lecture the Dursley's as he did.

	Now, it is made clear in the scene that he has never met the Dursley's 
in person. Also, the form of their prejudice against the magical world, 
while comic, is, frankly, unrealistic. Jealousy, certainly, but the fear 
they have of even mentioning it goes beyond that.

	Working backwards, here is theory #1: Previously, at some point, the 
Dursley's were endangered, greatly, by the magical world. They were 
saved, probably by James and/or Lily. As they were connected, obliquely, 
with the magical world, their memories were not wiped (at least not 
entirely). Their obligation to Harry was based on the debt they owed 
(morally, if not magically), and Dumbledore, as Harry's guardian by 
default, is acting as their agent. The reason why he has not interfered 
more was because, based on their treatment of Dudley and the 
requirements Harry would have, the way he was brought up was preferable 
to the available alternatives.

	Bart