The anatomy of fat and skinny(was: weight watching)

[The Sparrow]

No: HPFGUIDX 52662

Message: 12
   Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 14:24:14 -0000
   From: "Amy Z <lupinesque at yahoo.com>"
<lupinesque at yahoo.com>
Subject: Weight watching (was Dancing Dudley?)

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.

Me:
See, the thing is,Dudley's overly large frame is meant
to be seen as funny because he's an 'awful Muggle'.
He's the traditional 'fat bully' who appears in most
classic British storytelling. It's the same with
skinny people-take Aunt Petunia and Arthur Weasley for
example. Both are described as tall and skinny,but
it's their personalities that ultimatley take place.
Petunia's skinnyness is seen in a negative way because
her personality is negative. Arthur is skinny too but
his is seen positivley- he's kindly and a bit
clumsy,not too mention getting on abit.

Amy:
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.

Me:
Maxine's size gives us the impression of someone to
respect (and perhaps be a little wary of?) In
descriptive storytelling, tall women are handsome, as
are slightly stright women. Pretty, beautiful or
lovely wouldn't fit- they don't have the strength
needed for this kind of character.
 
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.

Me:
Mrs. Weasley is a perfect example of this.Molly is
described as 'plump',which is a nice way of saying a
little overweight.(Draco,bless him, is kind enough to
put this clear for us a little later, stating that
Mrs. Weasley could stand to lose a few pounds!)
I think there's a wonderful cross section of fat and
skinny people in the book,all with different
descriptions based on their personality. A good way
perhaps of figuring out what someone is *really like*?
  SPARROW (who is not only proud to be a look-alike
for Mrs.Weasley in the weight department, but who's
got red hair to boot!)


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