Petunia Evans Dursley : Character Analysis

[wickedwickedboy]

1. Do you think Petunia ever came to care for Harry? Do you think she regrets her earlier treatment of him?

It is hard to imagine that a sane person would treat Harry the way Petunia did while he was growing up. Imo, she was mentally off balance as was her husband. I think that might have been the reason for her actions and as such I don't think she was capable of caring for Harry properly.

2. What do you think of Petunia's hatred of magic after the revelations of DH?

I think this was a function of her interaction with Snape while young and her enduring hatred of it arose from her mental disfunction. Her mental problem may have been a result of losing her sister who she loved but had been estranged from at the time of her death.

3. Do you think Petunia regrets Lily's death? Do Harry's eyes remind her of Lily?

Yes. I think it was terribly traumatic and affected her mentally.

4. How do you think Petunia reacted to Dudley's declaration that Harry wasn't a waste of space?

I don't think she was able to grasp exactly what was taking place all of the time. If she was "tuned in" at that moment, then I think it would leave her feeling confused and disoriented.

[PureBloodGirl]

1. Do you think Petunia ever came to care for Harry? Do you think she regrets her earlier treatment of him?
No, I don't.
I think she might a little, but I think she might just forget about him except for moments when something reminds her of him.

2. What do you think of Petunia's hatred of magic after the revelations of DH?
I think she was just jealous of her sister. That's why she hated magic.

3. Do you think Petunia regrets Lily's death? Do Harry's eyes remind her of Lily?
At times yes.
Yes, if they did for Snape and for everyone else then they did for Petunia as well.

4. How do you think Petunia reacted to Dudley's declaration that Harry wasn't a waste of space?
I don't think she reacted at all. I think she just left what Dudley said at that.

[sllagnire]

1. Do you think Petunia ever came to care for Harry? Do you think she regrets her earlier treatment of him?

I think that she did. I mean, I would think/hope that after all that Harry went through that she would have a bit more respect for him. I also don't think that she didn't care for Harry, I think that she always did, but she just couldn't overcome her jealousy of magic.

2. What do you think of Petunia's hatred of magic after the revelations of DH?

I can understand it, really. I mean, she was crazily jealous of her sister, so you can see how rather than embracing it she would totally shove it away. While I don't think it justifies her hatred of her sister or her treatment of Harry, I can totally understand where it comes from.

3. Do you think Petunia regrets Lily's death? Do Harry's eyes remind her of Lily?

I think that Harry must have reminded her of Lily, and I'm sure that that has a great deal to do with why Harry was treated so badly. As far as whether she regrets Lily's death, I'm not so sure. I would hope so, though.

4. How do you think Petunia reacted to Dudley's declaration that Harry wasn't a waste of space?

I don't think that she would say anything. I think that she would keep her feelings inside. I think that she would agree, but that she wouldn't let it show.

[Pearl_Took]

Interesting post by Wick in the Lily Potter Evans thread, answered here:

Originally Posted by wickedwickedboy

I agree. This is the same argument used to support Snape's treatment of Harry. That his dad was so abusive, Snape was somehow justified in going on to abuse his son. First, as you point out, in both cases, Snape was no guiltless victim either in terms of Lily or James.

But more importantly, Petunia's decision to treat Harry in an abusive way, stands on its own, imo. You have to think of it in terms of actions in my judgment. For instance, say instead, Petunia decided to box up a bunch of Lily's useless old books and throw them in the trash in response to her feelings about her sister. Well the "why" is the same as it was in the case where she responded by treating Harry in an abusive manner. Yet the focus is not on the books and papers thrown out in the first example, because books and papers are not believed to feel harm and injury and they are useless - so the "why" is more material and the useless books and papers are relatively immaterial. But in the case of what Petunia did to Harry, the focus changes because her acts in and of themselves were harmful to him and the "why" becomes immaterial, imo.

There are many responses one can make to real or perceived wrongs. Revenge is the most rudimentary of choices, imo. There are a multitude of other choices one could make ranging from forgiveness, avoidance and settlement in a state sponsored forum (like counseling) to all out revenge which is generally disproportional and savage in nature in comparasion to other forms.

I agree.

Let's say that Petunia never lost her dislike or suspicion of Magic ... as clearly she didn't.

Clearly, also, she never forgave Lily for 'betraying' her (as Petunia saw it) -- and for rejecting her. In turn, she rejected Lily, despite Lily's overtures of friendship.

None of this possibly justifies Petunia's attitude towards Harry ... the son of her own sister.

[wickedwickedboy]

Originally Posted by Pearl_Took

Interesting post by Wick in the Lily Potter Evans thread, answered here:



I agree.

Let's say that Petunia never lost her dislike or suspicion of Magic ... as clearly she didn't.

Clearly, also, she never forgave Lily for 'betraying' her (as Petunia saw it) -- and for rejecting her. In turn, she rejected Lily, despite Lily's overtures of friendship.

None of this possibly justifies Petunia's attitude towards Harry ... the son of her own sister.

Well JKR did incorporate a revenge theme with Petunia - I mean she didn't write an Othello or Shylock or anything . But she did draw on the theme of revenge, showing it to be generally disproportionate and savage in comparison to the harm done - and there were usually other ways that the situations could have been handled. Her extreme vengeance seekers like Petunia, all got a bad rap in the book and hard knocks in ways, lending further support to the idea that revenge is a strong negative.

[Pearl_Took]

Originally Posted by wickedwickedboy

Well JKR did incorporate a revenge theme with Petunia - I mean she didn't write an Othello or Shylock or anything . But she did draw on the theme of revenge, showing it to be generally disproportionate and savage in comparison to the harm done - and there were usually other ways that the situations could have been handled. Her extreme vengeance seekers like Petunia, all got a bad rap in the book and hard knocks in ways, lending further support to the idea that revenge is a strong negative.

It's a rather obvious moral point.

I always find the awful treatment of Harry by his relatives terribly extreme.

It adds to the drama, of course, undergirds his isolation as the hero of the series (who must overcome many obstacles). When it comes to bad childhoods, the HP books are very Dickensian.

[halfbloodsnape]

1. Do you think Petunia ever came to care for Harry? Do you think she regrets her earlier treatment of him?

I think that deep down she does care even if she puts Dudley before him. She knows that taking him in might have saved Harry's life for a long time, she might have had a slight idea what it ment to have Harry as a second son, and she still took him. Vernon is a different thing, but I think Petunia does care about him even if she doesn't show it.

2. What do you think of Petunia's hatred of magic after the revelations of DH?

I never thought Petunia hated magic. She was gelous on Lily and she thought it is easier to pretend that it is something shameful rather than wish to be part of it when she can't. She envied Harry too, knowing full well that he will be magical. After all, how weird is it: the smaller sister will be magical, and not both sisters...

3. Do you think Petunia regrets Lily's death? Do Harry's eyes remind her of Lily?

Harry's eyes probably remind her of Lily, as they remind everybody else. Yes, she probably regrets Lily's death, for they use to be close, and they drifted apart when Snape appeared and it became obvious that Lily is magical. She probably never hated her sister, she was just jelous and she didn't want to be the first to say 'sorry' even though she should have been.


4. How do you think Petunia reacted to Dudley's declaration that Harry wasn't a waste of space?

Somebody said on the first page that she probably was glad becouse she didn't have to say it then. I like that. Yes, Petunia seems to me the kind of person who would really hate to admit that she was wrong, or that she pretended somethin out of sheer jelousy, so she probably was happy about Dudley's statement, and proud of her son too.

[romionefanatic]

1. Do you think Petunia ever came to care for Harry? Do you think she regrets her earlier treatment of him?
I think that, towards the end, she cared for Harry, in a way. I mean, she DID take him in. And I think it was more of the fact that Harry is Lily's son, and that (I believe) Petunia missed her horribly, no matter how she acted. I think she might.


2. What do you think of Petunia's hatred of magic after the revelations of DH?
It was mainly jealousy. She wanted to go to Hogwarts with Lily, but she didn't get to, so she was angry and jealous and tried to cover it up by saying her sister was a freak. It's understandable.


3. Do you think Petunia regrets Lily's death? Do Harry's eyes remind her of Lily?
Of course! See my response to question one? His eyes probably do remind her of Lily sometimes.


4. How do you think Petunia reacted to Dudley's declaration that Harry wasn't a waste of space?
That she really did think it was sweet of him... and that she was feeling very emotional then, and overeacted.

[Annielogic]

From the Severus Snape thread:

Originally Posted by silver ink pot

I wish Petunia had talked to Harry - I was really hoping for something more about Lily through her.

Yes, it would have been interesting to have had Petunia's perspective.

Originally Posted by silver ink pot

I also thought Petunia might say something to Harry about Snape at the beginning of DH. She must have heard by then that Dumbledore was allegedly killed by Snape, and it surprised me that she wouldn't ask Harry for more information on that. I guess JKR thought Petunia wouldn't have enough curiousity, but the Dursleys were always watching the news or wondering about the neighbors, so they seemed nosy to me.

We know Harry had to explain to the Dursleys many times why they were having to leave Privet Drive. I imagine if she knew about Dumbledore it would have confirmed how dangerous and horrible magic was in her mind, the same thing that created a gulf between her and Lily, that took Lily's life. Now her family (Dudley and Vernon) were in danger and being driven out their home.

Maybe Petunia had to be careful that her questions and knowledge didn't drive Vernon away and destroy her family, she might have feared that too.

[xhanax315]

1. Do you think Petunia ever came to care for Harry? Do you think she regrets her earlier treatment of him?
I believe so. I think we see this when Petunia recieves her howler from Dumbledore. And the fact that she pauses for a moment before leaving Harry for the last time.

3. Do you think Petunia regrets Lily's death? Do Harry's eyes remind her of Lily?
I don't really know if she regrets it. We see how she reacts to any mention of her sister. I think somewhere, very deep down inside her she might.

4. How do you think Petunia reacted to Dudley's declaration that Harry wasn't a waste of space?
Exactly how we see her reacted in the scene.

[wickedwickedboy]

Originally Posted by xhanax315

[b]
3. Do you think Petunia regrets Lily's death? Do Harry's eyes remind her of Lily?
I don't really know if she regrets it. We see how she reacts to any mention of her sister. I think somewhere, very deep down inside her she might.

That is true and it makes you wonder what was up with her because it seemed while Lily was alive they had reached some kind of truce in their relationship - Petunia sent her that vase and all.

[ashwizard]

Originally Posted by wickedwickedboy

That is true and it makes you wonder what was up with her because it seemed while Lily was alive they had reached some kind of truce in their relationship - Petunia sent her that vase and all.

In that case Petunia was forced to hide her feelings because of the horrible man she had married , Vernon Dursley ; the Lucius Malfoy of the Muggle world .

[alwaysme]

Originally Posted by ashwizard

In that case Petunia was forced to hide her feelings because of the horrible man she had married , Vernon Dursley ; the Lucius Malfoy of the Muggle world .

I agree with this. I think had she not been married to Vernon the relationship between the sisters would have been stronger.

[wickedwickedboy]

well she sent her the vase when she was married to Vernon...

[alwaysme]

Originally Posted by wickedwickedboy

well she sent her the vase when she was married to Vernon...

That's true but that's not exactly close family contact. I can't see Vernon allowing them to come over for dinner for example.

[halfbloodsnape]

Originally Posted by wickedwickedboy

That is true and it makes you wonder what was up with her because it seemed while Lily was alive they had reached some kind of truce in their relationship - Petunia sent her that vase and all.

I feel Petunia is somewhat 'pushed' or feels pushed, to phrase it better when in front of his husband to act as though she detests anything about the 'weirdos', but actually trying to cover her gelousy with it. They had to have some contact, because they knew that te Potters had a son, and even Vernon knew what his name was. If they'd had no contact at all they couldn't have any idea even that they have a nephew. I think Petunia never really got over this shock: her sister being magical and her not having any of it. (it is funny, come to think of it. the creevey brothers are both muggle born, and they both are magical). She did write to Dumbledore trying to get herself accepted into Hogwarts, and that really means what Lily told her "you didn't think it was such a freak place then...". But she couldn't penetrate that world, so she acts as if it were indecent, and as nobody in their right mind would like to join it. She probably could've been friendlier if he had a husband who didn't hate magic like Vernon. Then again, she probably was lookingfor a man like that. I'm suspecting Vernon didn't know about the vase

[merrymarge]

As for Petunia regretting her earlier treatment of Harry, I don't think she regretted it. I sometimes wonder if Petunia treated Harry bad because of Vernon, or if she treated him bad because he reminded her of Lily. Lily was the prettier one, she married a good looking "jock", she had special gifts that Petunia wanted. I think having Harry around annoyed her more than ever.
I would like to think that Petunia regretted her sister's death. I sometimes think if Lily had survived, they might have tried to patch things up.

[EmmyRocks]

I think Petunia just wishes she where like Lily and really is nice as she was before. For example: She took care of Harry, when she didn't need to. She kept him and though she did not treat him as she promised, she still took care of him and gave him shelter, food, ect..

[RemusLupinFan]

Originally Posted by merrymarge

I would like to think that Petunia regretted her sister's death. I sometimes think if Lily had survived, they might have tried to patch things up.

Call me optimistic, but I think I'd agree. I think Lily would have wanted to try to fix things between she and Petunia, and I'm sure she at least would have tried. It may have taken a while, but I do think eventually the relationship between them could have improved.

Regarding Vernon's influence on Petunia's behavior toward Harry and magic in general, I think he made it easier for her to pretend she hated magic and didn't want anything to do with it. Which is not what I think she felt at all deep down - she wanted to be magical so badly that she became very bitter about it, and eventually convinced herself that being magical was freakish. I think if she hadn't married Vernon she may have acted differently, though I think she still would have been resentful of those with magic.

[xhanax315]

Originally Posted by ashwizard

In that case Petunia was forced to hide her feelings because of the horrible man she had married , Vernon Dursley ; the Lucius Malfoy of the Muggle world .

Right, I think he had a lot of influence on how she viewed the magical world, especially since she had already had resentment towards it because of her sister. I wonder if Vernon had ever known what we found out in DH between the two, I would think not, huh?

Originally Posted by halfbloodsnape

I think Petunia never really got over this shock: her sister being magical and her not having any of it. (it is funny, come to think of it. the creevey brothers are both muggle born, and they both are magical).

I thought that was because they were both adopted, or was that a theory that was proved to be false?

Originally Posted by RemusLupinFan

Regarding Vernon's influence on Petunia's behavior toward Harry and magic in general, I think he made it easier for her to pretend she hated magic and didn't want anything to do with it. Which is not what I think she felt at all deep down - she wanted to be magical so badly that she became very bitter about it, and eventually convinced herself that being magical was freakish. I think if she hadn't married Vernon she may have acted differently, though I think she still would have been resentful of those with magic.