Vernon Dursley
ver·nun durz·lee /ˈvɜrnən ˈdɜːrz.li/
noun
Vernon Dursley is the husband of Petunia Dursley (née Evans) and the father of Dudley Dursley. He works at a firm called Grunnings, which produces drills. Vernon is Harry Potter’s uncle by marriage.
Vernon Dursley Biography & History
A stout man with a bushy mustache, Vernon Dursley is characterized by his deep-seated disdain for anything out of the ordinary, especially when it relates to the magical world.
Life Before Harry
Vernon led a very typical suburban life in Little Whinging, Surrey. He worked diligently at Grunnings and took pride in his perfectly normal life.
Life with Harry
When Harry was left on the Dursleys’ doorstep, Vernon, although extremely reluctant, agreed to take him in. Throughout Harry’s childhood, Vernon tried to suppress any sign of Harry’s magical abilities and kept him in the dark about his true heritage. His mistrust and fear of the magical world often resulted in poor treatment of Harry.
Vernon Dursley’s Characteristics
Xenophobia: Vernon has a deep-seated fear and mistrust of anything unfamiliar or out of the ordinary.
Desire for Normalcy: He places great importance on appearing normal and is embarrassed by any deviations from this.
Stubbornness: Once he has made up his mind, it’s almost impossible to change it.
People Close to Him
- Petunia Dursley: His wife, who shares his views on the magical world.
- Dudley Dursley: His son, whom he spoils and dotes upon.
- Harry Potter: His nephew by marriage, whom he frequently mistreats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Vernon Dursley work?
He works at a firm called Grunnings, which manufactures drills.
How did Vernon react when he found out about the magical world?
With fear, mistrust, and denial. He went to great lengths to keep Harry from attending Hogwarts.
Did Vernon ever accept the magical world or Harry?
While he never fully accepted the magical world, by the end of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”, he showed a grudging respect for Harry, nodding at him before parting ways.
Famous Quotes
One of the most iconic lines from Vernon Dursley is his exclamation, “No post on Sundays!” in “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” while trying to escape Harry’s Hogwarts letters.
Fun Trivia Questions About Vernon Dursley
Question: What was Vernon’s reaction when Harry mentioned the word “magic” at breakfast?
Answer: He angrily dropped his pan of fried eggs.
Question: How did Vernon describe his nephew, Harry, to his guests?
Answer: As a delinquent who attends St. Brutus’s Secure Centre for Incurably Criminal Boys.
Question: What did Vernon do when Harry received his first letter from Hogwarts?
Answer: He tried to keep Harry from reading it and went to extreme lengths, even moving the family to a shack on a rock in the sea, to escape the letters.
