The Dursley's Pet by Jazmin

The Dursley's Pet by Jazmin - October 2025 Scholarship Essay

Harry Potter was discriminated against by his own family despite having done nothing to them. As he lived with them for most of his life Harry let their behavior slide all the time. Through the Dursleys’ desire to use Harry as their servant in “Harry Potter,” J.K Rowling explores how the jealousy of one’s own family, specifically the hatred towards Harry’s magical parents, can reveal a deeper, truer issue that would be overlooked otherwise.

Harry lived with the Dursleys until he was 11 years old. He released himself from the toxic environment when he was 17 years old. I realized that even your own family can shame you even when you do not deserve it. You can be innocent and wish to live a peaceful life but there will always be someone wishing for your failure.

He was a child that was treated horribly only because the Dursleys were jealous and feared his magical background. They believed Harry to be a burden to them; it was a reminder of the magic Petunia despised and rejected. They were afraid of what he could become whether it was good or bad. People will act as if they want what’s best for you while they are secretly manipulating you to fail.

When Harry received his letter from Hogwarts the Dursley’s denied his attendance at the magical school. The Dursleys were holding him back from becoming something great and embracing his parents’ paths. Their rejection led Harry to feel that sense of injustice and yearn for a world where he would belong. Children can often feel or become aware when parents give one child leniency while the other is stuck getting disciplined.

Harry Potter’s bravery and self-sacrifice to attend Hogwarts led to his growth in the magical world. The prejudice shown by the Dursleys is contrasted with the welcoming magical world Harry later discovers. Once Harry was able to rid himself of the Dursleys readers became aware of the fear and reason why the Dursleys kept Harry all that time. They feared Voldemort’s wizards. Even still their fear was no reason to treat a family member horribly. They failed Harry as adult and parent figures, no one should treat children the way they treated Harry.