Sympathy to the characters WAS: Respecting the Dursleys

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 159639

> >>Pippin:
> > Exactly.  When have our sympathies ever been a reliable guide to
> > the nature of a Potterverse character?
> > <snip>
> > Arguably, Dudley needs help far more than Harry does, but how
> > many of us have ever felt moved to hope that he gets it?

Betsy Hp:
I think part of the issue is that JKR takes an odd direction when 
she tries to build either sympathy or revulsion.  So odd, IMO, that 
it leaves me not entirely sure of how she's wanting things to come 
across.

Because by the time OotP came around I was actually kind of proud of 
Dudley for hitting back at Harry.  And I'm not sure I was supposed 
to feel that way.  (Of course, I can feel however I please, but I 
kind of like to have an idea of where the author is trying to take 
me.)

JKR did a good job at the very beginning of the series, I thought, 
of sending Dudley up as your stereotypical bully; someone it's fun 
to sneer at.  But then she started pulling out bits and pieces of 
her own foundation.  

Dudley is genuinely frightened when Vernon takes his family on that 
mad flight from the Hogwart's invites.  He's about as innocent a 
victim as you can find when he gets hit by Hagrid.  

And he *knows* that Harry is stronger than him.  By CoS, Dudley has 
taken Harry's old route of *verbally* taking on Harry ("don't you 
have any friends?"), because he knows he can't physically best Harry.

So, JKR has *told* us that Dudley made Harry's life in elementary 
school a hell.  But what we *see* is Dudley's life made hell by 
Harry and his much more powerful pals.  (One wonders if Dudley 
doesn't roam his neighborhood for the same reason Harry did pre-
Hogwarts.  Trying to avoid the dangerous family member back home.)

JKR does the same thing with Slytherin, and, IMO, the same thing 
with Draco.  We're told Slytherin House is the big bad, and Draco 
swaggers like he's the cock of the walk.  But we only ever see 
Slytherin lose.  And Harry's a much bigger man on campus than Draco 
ever was, without putting in half the effort.

> >>Jen R.: 
> <snip>
> When have our sympathies been a reliable guide? 

Betsy Hp:
After HBP, I think I was right to feel some sympathy for Draco. 
But...

> >>Jen R.:
> Well, I'm willing to bet my sympathy for Harry is right on the    
> money. That my feeling of compassion for the beleagured Order     
> members, despite their flaws, will not turn out to be a 'gotcha'   
> by JKR. That believing in the Weasley family will not steer me    
> wrong. That agonizing with and cheering for the Trio will not end 
> up in a surprising twist. I've already confirmed to my own        
> satisfaction that Dumbledore was meant to be essentially good      
> after HBP.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
I do for the most part agree.  Harry is and will remain, the hero 
we're supposed to be cheering for.  The Order is on the right side 
(traitor in the ranks or no).  Dumbledore had the right idea, even 
if some of his methodologies were a bit off.

But Hermione worries me.  Since HBP she worries me a lot.  But am I 
supposed to be worried?  And I think there's something rotten within 
the Weasley clan.  But am I supposed to think that?

It's those issues that throw me for a loop.  And I'm honestly not 
sure if it's because JKR and I differ on some things, or if she's 
actually putting in stuff to trigger these sort of reactions.

Betsy Hp