In October 2016, a fan asked author J.K. Rowling if Harry Potter’s aunt, Petunia Dursley, was a Squib. A Squib is a non-magical person who is born to at least one magical parent. Rowling responded with a definitive answer: “No, she is not, she is a Muggle.”
This answer provides a much-needed insight into the character of Petunia Dursley, who is often portrayed as a bitter and resentful woman. Petunia is the sister of Harry’s mother, Lily Potter, and the aunt of Harry himself. Petunia was born to two Muggle parents, and thus, is a Muggle herself. This means that she is unable to perform magic and is unable to understand the magical world that her sister and nephew inhabit.
This lack of understanding and appreciation of the magical world is likely a major source of Petunia’s bitterness and resentment. She is unable to comprehend the world that her sister and nephew are a part of, and is thus unable to share in their experiences. This has likely led to a sense of isolation and loneliness, which is further exacerbated by the fact that her husband, Vernon Dursley, is also a Muggle and is unable to understand the magical world.
In addition, Petunia’s inability to understand the magical world has likely caused her to feel inferior to her sister, Lily, who was a powerful witch. This has likely caused Petunia to be envious of her sister and to feel resentful towards her and her magical abilities.
The fact that Petunia is a Muggle provides an important insight into her character and her motivations. It explains why she is so bitter and resentful towards the magical world, and why she is so determined to keep Harry away from it. It also explains why she is so determined to keep Harry’s magical heritage a secret from her husband and son.
Overall, J.K. Rowling’s answer to the fan’s question provides an important insight into the character of Petunia Dursley. It reveals that she is a Muggle, which explains her bitterness and resentment towards the magical world. It also explains why she is so determined to keep Harry away from it and to keep his magical heritage a secret.