Is Dudley stupid?

[lobelia321]

Ah, how this reminds me of days of yore. I can't be bothered scrolling through my past calendars but at some point (and some of you may remember this) I posted the question 'Is Orlando stupid?' And now here I post again:

Is Dudley stupid?

I happen to think not. Crabbe is stupid, Goyle is stupid, but I remember no canon evidence for Dudley being stupid. Indeed, when Harry first meets Draco, he is reminded of Dudley -- so I like to think that Dudley is at least as intelligent as Draco. Now, this depends on your view of Draco's stupidity level, of course... heh. I tend to think that Draco, while not the absolutest sharpest pencil in the box, is fairly pointy.

Comments

[msilverstar]

I think canon Dudley is supposed to be stupid: a younger version of his parents, with no imagination, perspective or heart. If he was smarter, the implication goes, he'd be nicer to Harry.

When Harry meets Draco, I think he sees him as another bully, and it's in that sense he's relating the two.

As far as I can tell, canon!Dudley a cardboard character, against whom Harry can shine. If you want to go places with him, it's all you and no Rowling.

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, o wise one, you are no doubt right. I am now being forced to re-read Philosopher's Stone out loud to t'youngest so my canon knowledge is being updated, willy nilly. I will, however, scratch dirt to find evidence of not-totally-moronic-Duddikins!

[brightest-blue.livejournal.com]

It seems to me that book!Dudley hardly exists as a character except as another nasty muggle for Harry to contend with. He comes across as stupid, but I don't think we know enough about him to say so definitively. He mainly is portrayed as a badly behaved bully, but we know that not all of those are stupid.

*casts vote for slightly bright bulb!Dudders*

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

Slightly bright!bulb Dudders! *cackles*

Yes, you're probably right. As I try and stay clear of the books, I have probably forgotten much of canon!Dudley. Although these days I am being forced to re-read Philosopher's Stone out loud to t'youngest son, argh. Also, lazlet gave me OotP, wrapped in silver paper. It looks like pornography, for discreet reading.

But Dudley does have that delicious slashy dialogue in chapter 1. I posted it once. Shall I try and find it for you?

[brightest-blue.livejournal.com]

But Dudley does have that delicious slashy dialogue in chapter 1. I posted it once. Shall I try and find it for you?

He does? That must have gone over my head completely. Apparently, subtlety isn't my strong suit. Although if it was Dudley, it probably wasn't subtle. :-)

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

http://www.livejournal.com/users/lobelia321/299191.html

*gg*