[HPforGrownups] Respecting the Dursleys( was:Re: Hi everyone -- banning the books)

[Janette]

No: HPFGUIDX 159585

>
> Magpie:
>  He seems like somebody who might be quite happy leading an ordinary
> life.  The
> moment after Dumbledore tells them that Dudley's terribly abused is
> probably supposed to underscore how awful they are, but it's just
> kind of funny—they aren't offended, because they are happy with each
> other.  So do Dumbledore's words have any meaning outside of his own
> judgment of the family that they don't care about?


montims:
see, I don't really understand this problem with the Dursleys at all.  Until
Harry is thrown into the mix, they are a family whose members are happy and
secure with each other, and "normal, thank you very much".  If Harry had
never arrived, they woiuld have continued, content in their lifestyle -
Petunia happy at home raising Dudley and entertaining for Vernon's business
- Vernon doing well at work, and pleasing the clients enough to get a
holiday home in Majorca, as well as other perks.  So they're not great
parents?  At least they all love each other.  It was throwing Harry in the
mix that upset things.  And if he had been chubby, and instinctively went
along with their mindset, and if his hair had conformed, and he hadn't shown
any magical ability, they might still have rubbed along fine together.  But
he was the grain of sand in their oyster shell...


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