HP Character Question

[kerravonsen]

Pondering... Aunt Marge.

In canon - especially Movie canon - Aunt Marge drinks too much.

Suggestions as to why? For those of you who have read my WIP that I was posting a bit of last year, yes, it's in the context of that. So I'm wondering if there are some good and interesting character motivations which would enable one to make Aunt Marge not as much of a drunk as she is in canon, while remaining plausible and true to what we know.

Comments

[watervole]

Painful divorce? Then she starts to get over it.

[kerravonsen]

I don't get the impression from canon that Marge was ever married at all. Given the way she dotes on Ripper, that strikes me as a "cat-lady" action (only with a dog): someone who only has animals for company.

[watervole]

Fair point. Maybe it was a long time ago and he died and the dogs are compensation?

Or perhaps she's got cancer and drinks in denial?

Or,perhaps my favourite. She's a genuine alcoholic, but if she really takes to Harry, he might be her reason to try and kick the habit.

[kerravonsen]

Maybe it was a long time ago and he died and the dogs are compensation?

Interesting thought. That she started it initially because of that, and now it's habit.

[reynardo]

A really simple idea - maybe she drinks not so much to get drunk/tipsy, but because it's the done thing - she was brought up thinking that one always should have a drink in the hand, and a particular drink at that. (Brandy and soda, gin and tonic...)

So if she's somehow persuaded (by the example of a Royal or someone else famous) that the newest "in" drink is a Pink Fluffy Unicorn, which by chance happens to be non-alcoholic, she might well drink as much and yet be much less affected by alcohol...

In other news, I'll be having a friend down to visit later this year who specifically seeks gaming sessions. I really should have you over for dinner again one night...

[kerravonsen]

In other news, I'll be having a friend down to visit later this year who specifically seeks gaming sessions. I really should have you over for dinner again one night...
Indeed, yes. 8-)

[kerravonsen]

Oh, and while I'm thinking of HP, did you ever tell me if you identified as a particular House?

[reynardo]

Mind of a Ravenclaw, heart of a Hufflepuff, soul of a Gryffindor, spirit of House Sparklypoo. Just not cunning enough for a Slytherin...

[kerravonsen]

8-)

Just not cunning enough for a Slytherin...
Me neither. Nor am I ambitious enough.

[jaxomsride.livejournal.com]

Purely medicinal? She's been in constant pain from her legs due to varicose veins. Now she's had them fixed she's not in as much pain and therefore doesn't need as much.

[kerravonsen]

Do people drink for pain relief? I mean, not emotional pain relief. (Sorry, I don't drink, so I don't know much about the motivations to do so.)

[jaxomsride.livejournal.com]

Yes, especially for a chronic pain.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/710188

According to that, up to a quarter of pain sufferers.

[dreamflower]

Why she drinks? Well, Vernon's behavior suggests that his family was probably dysfunctional before he ever married Petunia. So I'm sure Marge would have had her own issues.

As for quitting: Liver trouble? She's been told by her doctor that her drinking is affecting her liver, so she has to quit?

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I'm pondering this, and not certain will be too helpful...

It seems to me rather like a habit she's gotten into that goes with her dog breeding, with the whole semi-masculine, tough self she presents to the world. (She may also just really like either the taste of booze--doesn't she have a favorite? I can't recall right now.)

When I visited the UK, I was startled how many people were drinking alcohol, and how much, although most of them did not seem drunk. I drink (especially wine and cocktails), but not like that.

Possibly Aunt Marge might knock off drinking as much as she used to once Harry is around simply because she believes that's more responsible? She does take good care her dogs; I think that might be plausible.

[droxy.livejournal.com]

It's free booze. =)