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#BeingDeserving
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Loretta
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#HPChapteraDay Day 37 #BeingDeserving 4/4

If you've read "The Casual Vacancy," you will know that J. K. Rowling is very interested in the topic of requiring those living in poverty to prove their worthiness of charity. So I think this chapter is an early example of her exploring this topic, and displaying her feelings about it.

It is not any person's place to judge whether another person is deserving of basic decency and charity.

Loretta Sorry, I CLEARLY had a lot of thoughts on this one. 7y
ReadingOver50 You raise interesting points. But I do think charity and government assistance are two separate things and should not be treated the same. 7y
Clare-Dragonfly Interesting thoughts! I hate the term "deserve" for basically the reasons you mentioned--who is any human to decide whether another human deserves something? I never thought of the Dursleys taking in Harry as charity, but I suppose that makes sense. Marge does seem to compliment Vernon for his charity, even if she's doing it to insult Harry. 7y
19 likes3 comments
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Loretta
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#HPChapteraDay Day 37: #BeingDeserving 3/4

But the point of a charity is that you are not supposed to require that the person to whom you are being charitable prove their worthiness of such charity. If you require this, that makes it more of a reward than actual charity.

This is like many of the arguments in the US re: individuals receiving government assistance and food stamps. Many assume they're lazy and therefore don't deserve charity.

Lexeegee But is charity and government assistance the same thing? Charity is something one gives freely from the desire to do for others. Government assistance is a program that tax payers are forced to fund. 7y
14 likes1 comment
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Loretta
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#HPChapteraDay Day 37: #BeingDeserving 2/4

Specifically, being deserving of charity.

Aunt Marge brings up topics that indicate she is likely a believer in eugenics. She talks about "breeding" and how you have to maintain the purity of blood. She compares the breeding of her dogs to Harry's breeding and suggests that his parents were alcoholics who deserved to die.

Essentially, she is saying that Harry does not deserve the Dursley's charity.

Lmstraubie I also find it interesting that the Dursleys even think they are being charitable. The provide Harry with almost less than the bare necessities and feel he should be more than grateful. If in remembering correctly (and I could completely be wrong) did Marge have to take Harry in with regards to an agreement with Dumbledore?? 7y
16 likes1 comment
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Loretta
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#HPChapteraDay Day 37: #Sincerity 1/4

Okay, I'm going to do something I've never done before and go a bit rogue here. I don't really think this theme fits with this chapter, so I'm going to address another one that I think is really relevant to this chapter in my next couple posts: #BeingDeserving