Character Critique: Dudley Dursley
Please vote in the poll and elaborate on your answer below!
I think he is the kindest of the main characters who committed delinquency because he was a child who showed ideal and exemplary remorse and reflection.
I put him down as, "He's okay."
I doubt my opinion is anything original however my thoughts are whilst I don't condone his actions towards Harry, and he's a spoilt prat for most of the series, like most kids he's a product of his environment — specifically some very bad parenting.
Without any exposure to anything outside of his Dursley bubble and no catalyst for change, Dudley had no reason to venture outwards and grow as a person — until the Dementors.
Not that the change happened overnight, but Dudley was the first, and probably only Dursley, that so much as seemed to tolerate Harry and the Wizarding World. Even if it was in the form of a stammer, going red, and an awkward handshake.
Dudley was also the one that pushed the family to follow along with the plan in Deathly Hallows to evacuate the Dursleys for their safety, while Vernon turned purple.
It's not enough to excuse years of torment for Harry, and bullying ten year olds with his gang, but kids are stupid and it's a start.
After that appearance in Deathly Hallows I don't believe we have any mention of Dudley beyond him and Harry being on Christmas card lists and occasionally meeting in silence while their respective kids socialised? It's not enough information to explore in-depth, but I don't think Harry would have continued to associate himself with Dudley, even distantly, if he became a Vernon Jr.
Voted He's okay, for the same reasons mentioned by @bitterbrit.
Dudley is product of his environment, he was spoilt rotten by Vernon and Petunia and he grew up being biggest bully in his backyard with convenient target in Harry. He was doing what he saw others do, he saw his parents treating Harry like dirt so he emulated that behaviour with Harry and never self reflected on his behaviour.
The best that can be said is that he has at least escaped the appalling damage you have inflicted upon the unfortunate boy sitting between you.’
Both Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon looked around instinctively, as though expecting to see someone other than Dudley squeezed between them.
‘Us – mistreat Dudders? What d’you –?’ began Uncle Vernon furiously
Dumbledore basically remarked how Dursleys' treatment of Dudley was harmful to him.
But later, Dudley did show growth of character after Dementor attack seeing Harry, someone whom he bullied and hated, rescue him.
We know that Dudley and Harry did form some friendly relationship as adults so apparently Dudley did grow up to be decent. So Dudley isn't my favourite but his character growth put him in okay group.
I voted for "Eh, not one of my favorites".
I fully agree with what's already been said. In my mind that's just not enough to fully absolve him from guilt. I should also mention that I know very little of the "official version" of the years after Deathly Hallows, so my opinion is based solely on Dudley's appearances in the original books.
At the end of the day, we're all more or less the product of our environment. Dudley was dealt a rough hand (as in, he would've had a harder time, perhaps, to become a decent human being), but he was also the one who chose how to play his cards, and he chose to torment the lesser. If there even is such a thing as a choice lol
But I agree that Dudley was on the right track by the end
