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

[steven1965aaa]

No: HPFGUIDX 159852

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, louis ruggiero <gg682000 at ...> 
wrote:
>
> BEATRICE:
> > > I have always seen both Harry and Dudley as horribly abused.  
In different ways certainly, but while Harry may be more 
sympathetic, I think that Dudley deserves more pity than Harry. 
> 
> Katrina: 
> > I have to agree with you. I actually liked Dumbledore's
> > scene because I didn't feel it came from nowhere. It
> > seemed to me, that apart from the first few books which were
> > obviously far less sophisticated, Dudley was someone Dumbledore 
> > would feel sorry for.  I think Mr. Weasley's reaction to Dudley 
> > (kindly pity) in Book 4 was another indicator of how we should 
feel  for Dudley. Of course, Book 6 also reveals that Dudley has 
become  an abuser like his father, whilst simultaneuosly showing us 
that  Dudley has a terrible fear that causes him to react similarly 
to how Harry does to Dementors...and I don't believe this is 
> > unintentional. I'm not sure what it means yet, but I don't think 
> > it's nothing.
 
> Louis:
> I think there may be more to Dumbledore feeling
> sorrow for Dudley. Remember he heard something when
> the Dementors attacked him and Harry. I'm thinking
> maybe he recieved some of his aunt's ability and it
> was squashed out of him over time? I may be wrong but
> I don't think Muggles re-live their worst memories
> when confronted by Dementors; they just feel horrible.
>                                                       
Steven1965aaa:

Also,  when Dumbledore talked about the abuse of Dudley, Dudley and 
his father looked mystified but Petunia looked oddly flushed.  I'm 
not sure what that means, but I think it probably does mean 
something.