CHARATER ANALYSIS OF THE DURSLEYS’ OF HARRY POTTER
Since the beginning of its release Harry Potter gained millions of fans world-wide and became of the
most loved book franchise in the history of popular literature. The book is notorious for its
references to real life feelings and the way the characters portray it, setting it apart from a mundane
fantasy novel. One thing that sought universal attention to the story was the way the Dursleys’; the
only know family of Harry Potter treated him. Harry’s mother Lily Potter was Petunia Dursley’s sister
and when Voldemort’s magic failed to kill Harry, he was dropped off as a baby by Dumbledore,
McGonagall and Hagrid at the Dursley’s doorstep. The Dursleys’ abandoned Harry, right in their
house; he was never considered a member but as an abomination, a black shadow looing their
house, putrefying their beautiful home.
Vernon Dursley married Petunia Potter who after marriage changed her name to Petunia Dursley.
JK Rowling herself had said that Vernon hated Harry because he reminded him of James Potter.
James Potter was a bully and his references in the movie and book had shown him severely bullying
Severus Snape, hanging him upside down and exposing him in front of other. So Vernon’s hate for
James Potter could have many underlying nuances that barely scratch the surface. But his behavior
towards Harry can never be justified by his hate for the former’s father. Harry was child who
deserved love and nourishment and Vernon failed him, turning despicable with a single look. He
irresponsibly spoiled his child, disrespected his wife’s family and deprived a child of home.
Petunia Dursley was jealous of her sister. It could be sensed from the book that she yearned
somewhere in her heart for a chance in the wizarding world. She pushed her sister away and
constantly refused for even her name to be uttered in her house. Yet it was Petunia who arranged
for the Potters’ funeral after their murder by Voldemort so maybe deep inside she felt guilt for
having pushed her sister away. She too was terrible to Harry, making him do tedious chores and
dressing him with clothes she dyed in her kitchen. They lavishly fed and showered Dudley with
presents while Harry wasn’t allowed to even come on trips and picnics. Petunia never came to terms
with her insecurity of not being a wizard, the mistake she made of pushing her sister away and didn’t
try to rectify her mistakes when a chance in the form of her sister’s only son came to their home as a
vulnerable orphaned child.
Dudley Dursley- the privileged, ungrateful, spoiled son of the Dursleys. A child is always a
reflection of his parent’s essence and Dudley’s never fails to be anything but was taught to him. His
conscious is lacking of righteousness and independence. He sucked his parents’ love and wealth like
weed and gave nothing in return, his parents a lot who never chose to teach humility and respect to
the child. But Dudley is a mixing of many shades of colors and sometimes we just smell an almost
faint but not nonexistent goodness in his soul. JK Rowling said that he was the only member of the
Dursleys’ who tried to reconcile with Harry once the war was fought and won, Voldemort destroyed.
Dudley was once saved by Harry Potter from the Dementors, Harry inability to refrain from putting
himself between life and danger and Dudley’s cowardice and selfishness is like a star to a dark night
of no vibrancy.
All three of the Dursleys represent the greed, envy and short sightedness of humans. Their
inability to move on from the past and squander the opportunities of today has far reaching
philosophical implications.
Since the beginning of its release Harry Potter gained millions of fans world-wide and became of the
most loved book franchise in the history of popular literature. The book is notorious for its
references to real life feelings and the way the characters portray it, setting it apart from a mundane
fantasy novel. One thing that sought universal attention to the story was the way the Dursleys’; the
only know family of Harry Potter treated him. Harry’s mother Lily Potter was Petunia Dursley’s sister
and when Voldemort’s magic failed to kill Harry, he was dropped off as a baby by Dumbledore,
McGonagall and Hagrid at the Dursley’s doorstep. The Dursleys’ abandoned Harry, right in their
house; he was never considered a member but as an abomination, a black shadow looing their
house, putrefying their beautiful home.
Vernon Dursley married Petunia Potter who after marriage changed her name to Petunia Dursley.
JK Rowling herself had said that Vernon hated Harry because he reminded him of James Potter.
James Potter was a bully and his references in the movie and book had shown him severely bullying
Severus Snape, hanging him upside down and exposing him in front of other. So Vernon’s hate for
James Potter could have many underlying nuances that barely scratch the surface. But his behavior
towards Harry can never be justified by his hate for the former’s father. Harry was child who
deserved love and nourishment and Vernon failed him, turning despicable with a single look. He
irresponsibly spoiled his child, disrespected his wife’s family and deprived a child of home.
Petunia Dursley was jealous of her sister. It could be sensed from the book that she yearned
somewhere in her heart for a chance in the wizarding world. She pushed her sister away and
constantly refused for even her name to be uttered in her house. Yet it was Petunia who arranged
for the Potters’ funeral after their murder by Voldemort so maybe deep inside she felt guilt for
having pushed her sister away. She too was terrible to Harry, making him do tedious chores and
dressing him with clothes she dyed in her kitchen. They lavishly fed and showered Dudley with
presents while Harry wasn’t allowed to even come on trips and picnics. Petunia never came to terms
with her insecurity of not being a wizard, the mistake she made of pushing her sister away and didn’t
try to rectify her mistakes when a chance in the form of her sister’s only son came to their home as a
vulnerable orphaned child.
Dudley Dursley- the privileged, ungrateful, spoiled son of the Dursleys. A child is always a
reflection of his parent’s essence and Dudley’s never fails to be anything but was taught to him. His
conscious is lacking of righteousness and independence. He sucked his parents’ love and wealth like
weed and gave nothing in return, his parents a lot who never chose to teach humility and respect to
the child. But Dudley is a mixing of many shades of colors and sometimes we just smell an almost
faint but not nonexistent goodness in his soul. JK Rowling said that he was the only member of the
Dursleys’ who tried to reconcile with Harry once the war was fought and won, Voldemort destroyed.
Dudley was once saved by Harry Potter from the Dementors, Harry inability to refrain from putting
himself between life and danger and Dudley’s cowardice and selfishness is like a star to a dark night
of no vibrancy.
All three of the Dursleys represent the greed, envy and short sightedness of humans. Their
inability to move on from the past and squander the opportunities of today has far reaching
philosophical implications.
