CHAPTER DISCUSSION: PS/SS 3, The Letters from No One

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 187808

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "zgirnius" <zgirnius at ...> wrote:
><SNIP of the summary>

2. Vernon is described as grayish white after he reads the first line of Harry's
letter. Petunia is described as looking like she might faint, clutching her
throat, and making a choking noise. What do you make of these reactions? What do
you think is behind them?

Alla:

I think besides those reactions is simple animalistic fear, fear of everything that is different (I can think of few things in RL which seems scary for people who want normalcy).

After rereading these parts I may feel a tiny tiny bit pity for Dursleys, oh do not get me wrong, I hate them, but they never wanted to stay connected with the world they seem to despise (even though Petunia wanted oh ever so badly to belong to it at first) and nobody asked their opinion. I despise them for mistreating their nephew, but I do wish that wizards (AKA Dumbledore) just let them be and let them live the life that they wanted for themselves. I know, it would have seem a very scary thought for Dumbledore to let people choose how they want to live their lives, sigh. I am not saying it because I like Dursleys, I just know how much I would hate if somebody decided to make such humongous decision for me.

And no, I do not think that Dursleys would have been in much danger from Voldemort in the later books if Harry was not staying with them. I mean obviously if Voldemort would have taken over muggles would have been killed, I know that, but the thing is, while we see casualties and death among muggles in HBP and DH, we do not see many, right?

I think Dursleys would have had a very good chance to stay safe and sound in their pathetic little world but for Dumbledore imposing Harry on them and surviving intact. IMO of course.


3. "I'm not having one in the house, Petunia! Didn't we swear when we took him
in we'd stamp out that dangerous nonsense?" Harry and Dudley overhear Vernon
saying these words to Petunia in their discussion of the letter. What does this
tell us about Vernon and Petunia?

Alla:

The essence of my answer is pretty much the same as to the previous question, fear of the unknown, etc, but this is actually the line that stuck with me for quite some time after I read  PS. I was wondering whom did they swear it to, till I realized that they swore it to themselves, lol.

4. Why do you think Vernon and Petunia decide to move Harry into a bedroom?

Alla:
Same thing, and I think another damning evidence for Dumbledore's inaction as to not checking on Harry for ten years. I know, I know, I am singing same tune, I swear when Dumbledore's presence will not be in the chapter I will not talk about him ;)

But think about it, a letter was enough to move Harry out of that cupboard, just a letter. Imagine what a visit from Dumbledore would have done, sigh.

5. Why does Petunia hand Vernon a fruitcake when he is nailing the mail slot
shut instead of a hammer?

Alla:

Personally I found it hilarious; I thought it was done to show Dursleys' absurdity how idiotic they look in their desire to be normal, if that makes sense. For some reason fruitcake screamed nutcake to me, or something to that effect.

Thank you for great questions Zara.