Weight watching (was Dancing Dudley?)

[Crunchy Frog]

No: HPFGUIDX 52448

David wrote:
<<I think Dumbledore is in part implying 'fat can be sexy'. Hence Dudley; 
many readers are uncomfortable with the way his fatness is continually 
emphasised as something unpleasant, and I see the germ of an alternative 
view.>>

Amy Z wrote:
<<I like!  And Maxime is described as "handsome" on at least two  occasions, 
and not at all in a "despite her size" way but in a way that suggests, if 
anything, that her hugeness (code for "fat"?) is an asset.

<snips quotes>

Neville is also coded as fat, btw--"round-faced."  I have trouble with JKR's 
attitude toward fat as seen in the way she writes Dudley, but she is 
definitely capable of creating an overweight character who is meant to be 
viewed with affection and respect.>>


My opinion:
I think that the fact that Dudley is fat isn't because fat in itself  is 
bad, but rather, to reflect his parents' treatment of him.

They are very worried that Dinky Duddydums might not be getting enough 
birthday presents (BTW, don't you think that 'Dinky' is a rather ironic 
nickname for Dudley?), but on the other hand, they don't look after Dudley's 
health.

While being overweight is a rather relative term, and isn't unhelathy in 
itself, if the person isn't physically active, or doesn't eat properly, and 
doesn't look after his well-being it can be very unhealthy.

Dudley, being an 11 year-old kid (in PS), he doesn't know much about  
dieting, or weight-watching, and his parents don't teach him too much about 
health and nutrition either. As he grows up, he will have to learn on his 
own to look after his health and well-being.

There is a tendency of calling people that are of less-than-model 
proportions as fat, when in fact, they are not. There is too much  prejudice 
against over weight people, which is a very hard thing to overcome.

Besides, I like the idea that not all the characters are thin and slender. 
Such a situation is not realistic (besides, with all the feasts in Hogwarts, 
and lack of Sports classes, it's a marvel that only Neville is mentioned to 
be not so thin).

I like it that Madam Maxime is described in a positive light. I think that 
it helps ephasize that being fat isn't necessarily a bad thing.
I also like it very much when Hagrid says to her that she is a half-giant, 
and indignated she says that she is not, and that she is big-boned :) but in 
the end she acknowledges this fact about herself,
and learns to live with it. It's something that requires a lot of guts
to do.

And Hagrid is the total opposite to this. He has no problem with
who he is, and what he looks like.

IMO, those two serve as a lesson that people should accept who and what they 
are, and get over any lack of self esteem (and from personal experience, it 
is a very difficult, uphill struggle, specially in a less-than-supporting 
enviroment).

Crunchy Chocolate Frog (with the card of Helga Hufflepuff)

"It's not over till the fat lady sings, and no lady will ever admit she's 
fat."

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