[HPforGrownups] Re: Vernon's odd behavior

[elfundeb]

No: HPFGUIDX 160347

   thekrenz <HPforGrownups at thekrenz> wrote:
> Why does Vernon so viciously try to keep Harry from going
> > back to Hogwarts? One would assume Vernon would be quite pleased to
> be
> > rid of Harry, so why does he exert so much effort to keep Harry at
> > Privet Drive?
>
> Magpie replied:
> I think one of the "keys" to the Dursleys is that for all they are
> supposed to hate Harry their behavior is modeled more along the lines
> of pain-in-the-butt parents than actual neglectful parents. [snip]
>
> I think the Dursleys are easier
> for kids to relate to because their job is basically to always keep
> Harry from having fun--as many normal kids probably feel their parents
> do. If it were a realistic story you're right, Vernon would probably
> be glad to be rid of Harry. But really he's more a nightmare version
> of all the bad things about parents--always saying no, always keeping
> Harry from doing what he wants to do etc.
>

Debbie:
Magpie is certainly right from a literary point of view; one of the ways she
mines the Dursleys for humor is to parody overly strict parents by layering
the Dahl-esque parent on top.

But Vernon has very good reasons to want to keep Harry away from Hogwarts.
He is terrified of magic.  He'd be happy to believe that the WW is nothing
more than a bunch of New Age weirdos, but he knows better.  He knows what
Harry can do, and he most definitely doesn't want Harry to go to a school
that would teach him how to use and control his magical abilities.  That
would give Harry power over Vernon, and Vernon can't handle not being able
to bully others into submission.  To the contrary, Harry would have the
tools to humiliate Vernon, and Vernon may fear that sort of humiliation even
more than he would fear death at the hands of a Dark Wizard (though he does
seem to fear the loss of his car or house equally as much).

Debbie
who would rather enjoy seeing the Dursleys hiding out at 12GP for their own
protection

  
>


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