DD at the Dursleys: Why do people dislike the scene?

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 158004

> >>Magpie:
> > <SNIP> 
> > Also, I rarely forget reading these books that I'm a Muggle, so 
> > I'm always going to identify with the Muggles to a point in any 
> > scene.  I don't like this kind of thing, so I don't like the    
> > scene.
> > <SNIP>

> >>Alla:
> Now, **that** I find to be a fascinating statement. What I hear    
> you saying is that you indentify with Dursleys only **because**   
> they are Muggles? Is that right?
> I am ashamed to be a Muggle when I read about Muggles like them :) 
> I am amazed that the mere fact of Dursleys being Muggles can make 
> you sympathise with them. It is a genuine amazement, nothing more.

Betsy Hp:
This *does* raise an interesting question.  Who does the reader 
identify with?  Generally in books of this sort, I identify with the 
hero and his or her ilk.  It's been a while, but I think I started 
out that way with Harry when I first read SS.  But at some point 
(and I'm not really sure where) I started identifing with Muggles 
more.

So yeah, wizard using magic to pick on Muggle (not defending, mind 
you, but being aggressive towards) I side with the Muggle.  Even if 
the Muggle is an absolute drip.  As the Dursleys are.

Now, Arthur shaming the Dursleys in GoF totally works for me.  
Because in that scene it's decent guy vs. rude people.  But when 
Dumbledore uses his magic to pick on the Dursleys, I'm not really 
cheering him on.  (Honestly, that's one of the things that has me 
convinced he was dying from the moment he appeared.  He's indulging 
himself in some petty revenge because he's not got the time for 
anything more.  It's fine -- he looses his temper, and he's got 
cause.  But I don't call it praiseworthy, myself.)  Because by 
involving magic it's wizard vs. Muggle now.  And I have to support 
my team.  Even if the people under attack aren't my favorite 
representatives.

So it's not like I was outraged on the Dursleys' behalf.  But I was 
more like, "See?  Even the best of them can't stop themselves from 
misusing their power.  Darn, arrogant, wizards."  Because I'm a 
Muggle.  And I'd be just as helpless to defend myself as the 
Dursleys' were.  I'd have had to drink the stupid mead, even though 
I'm not a drinker and would probably hate the stuff.  I'd have to 
fake it in order to not anger the all-mighty wizard.  And that ain't 
right.

But yeah, in the Potterverse I really do identify with the hardly 
ever seen Muggles.  Not wanting to be a witch.  Not wanting to go to 
Hogwarts.  A bit odd, I guess.  Anyone else feel the same way?  I 
wonder how JKR sees it?

Betsy Hp (thought about changing the subject line but I think I 
managed to stay on subject, though I thought I was going to stray -- 
also I'm a bit rambly today...)