IMPORTANCE OF THE CHARACTER DUDLEY DURSLEY IN HARRY POTTER SERIES

iT IS AN ANSWER TO A QUESTION ASKED TO ME BY A HP FAN. I  hope readers find it fascinating, both, the question and the answer.

Q: I was really fond of Dudley after reading book 7. How do you think Dudley would've been if he was raised by different people? How did you feel when Dudley said his farewells to Harry? And if Dudley and Harry met after the war (which I think they did as i believe he married Cho) how do you think he would feel about the wizarding world after knowing how horrible it was for 16 years?

A: It is all about inception, I presume. Dudley would definitely have been a different guy provided he was raised differently. It is no surprise that he hates Harry Potter because he was never ‘fed well’.

It is really crucial event in Harry Potter series that, in his earlier days, Dudley hated Harry Potter. Children are as assumptive as the liquid – they assume the shape of the cauldron they are poured into. The father of a child was once a child and he is inextricably bound to his past. It is how the dots are connected. Probably, Rowling wanted children, and their parents, to pay heed to the same. But then, Dudley turns out to be a kind hearted boy. Now, this is important because the processing of a child to a man is never meaningful without development of conscience. Rowling expects her children readers to develop conscience or at least to attempt to seek the same.

It is one of the happy moments when Dudley Dursley farewells Harry Potter. A happy moment is a true moment and is meant to be accepted. Every reader must have been glad to accept the love between the cousins and that is what is important. It signifies the element of goodness in our hearts. The more we accept it, the more we ‘live well’.

Wizarding world is definitely a majestic dream to every muggle but the severity of the mishap that may befall upon a wizard is equally unimaginable. Dudley had the hint of this severity when he encountered a dementor (Goblet of fire). Perhaps, he deduced how fool he was to be harsh upon Harry, who saved his life against those ghastly creatures. Perhaps he deduced how tolerable Harry was when he was insolently abused. Dudley must have been ashamed of not being able to see.

 On the brighter side, he believes Harry is too kind to refuse his attempt of conciliation which is why we see a happy farewell. Dudley remembers ‘to turn on the light’ at the end; which is why we see a happy farewell.

I find it seemingly obvious how Dudley would have felt if he was provided knowledge of the battle of Hogwarts, the resurrection of his cousin and death of the most dangerous wizards of all times. He would be expressionless and would hate himself more for being rude to Harry in the past. But then, one must not forget, realization is, probably, the only way of reparation; realization is, probably, the only way to win one’s love; realization is, probably, the dawn of happiness after the gloomy night of ignorance. Dudley, after knowing the horrible tale of sacrifice, grief and loss, would love Harry Potter more than anyone in the world.

I cannot vouch for the fact that Cho Chang married Dudley Dursley. If it was such, Rowling would have mentioned it. But I have to admit that the guess is extremely plausible.