FAT

[Schlobin at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 20331

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Barbara Purdom <blpurdom at y...> wrote:
> 
> --- Melanie Brackney <ilovbrian_99 at y...> wrote:
> > 
> > I'm just going to put my 2 cents in here on this.  I
> > am going back to something my educational psych
> > teacher said, when you like a person there
> > appearance does not mean as much to you.  For
> > example, we love Mrs. Weasley the fact that she is a
> > plump women is often forgotten or just not really an
> > issue.  Dudley obesity only is an issue because we
> > do not like his character.  If we loved Dudley then
> > it wouldn't matter what he weighed.  It just is
> > realistic..on the part of JKR to place so much
> > emphasis on appearance with Dudley.
> > 
> > Melanie
> > 
>  Perhaps the implication is that Molly is not vain and
> does not spend her life trying to be thin and
> fashionable.  OTOH, Dudley's weight is illustrative of
> his personality--his piggishness and selfishness. 
> Molly is so focussed on other people, she seems to
> have forgotten about taking care of herself, whereas
> his piggy self is ALL Dudley cares about.  Ironically,
> their physiques suffer the same consequences.
> 
> 



Oh, goodness, here comes another rant. Molly is portrayed as 
a plump comfortable woman. Medical science has calmed down.
Being plump is not a health hazard, nor does it imply that one
does not take care of one's self. It suggests that some people
(like Arthur) are not interested in anorexic wannabees, and that
plump is just fine. In fact, good for cuddling, cushioning, and 
comforting children.

OTOH Dudley is portrayed as so obese that he cannot fit into the 
school uniforms, and the school nurse feels his weight his a health 
hazard.


Susan