Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

by

J. K. Rowling

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Dudley Dursley Character Analysis

Harry’s cousin, Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon’s son. For most of their lives Dudley has bullied Harry with impunity, as his parents spoil him and deeply dislike their nephew. However, while Harry has managed to overcome his upbringing and become a brave and well-adjusted teenager, Dudley has fallen victim to it, becoming a self-satisfied oaf with no social skills. Dumbledore’s remark that the Dursleys have inflicted “appalling damage” on their son points out the extent to which character can be shaped by family circumstances.
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Dudley Dursley Character Timeline in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

The timeline below shows where the character Dudley Dursley appears in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter Three: Will and Won’t
Family Theme Icon
...cruelty” from them, although their coldness has at least prevented him from ending up like Dudley. The Dursleys are clearly enraged that Dumbledore views Harry more positively than Dudley. (full context)