On diverse "mean" meanings (was; midget in glasses)

[Jim Ferer <jferer@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51002

Jodel:"The "literary" usage of the therm "mean" has historically been
to signify "lowly". This usage continued in comparitively common
circumstances into at least the early 20th century. ("Down these mean
streets [must go] a man who is not mean, neither tarnished, nor
afraid" --Raymond Chandler in one of his  omniciant narriator
interjections.)"

Of course you are right. Here's the sentence as Trelawney said it:
""I was saying, my dear, that you were clearly born under the baleful
[harmful] influence of Saturn," said Professor Trelawney....."I was
saying that Saturn was surely in a position of power in the heavens at
the moment of your birth. . . . Your dark hair. . . your mean
stature...tragic losses so young in life. . "

Now substitute 'average height' into the sentence about Saturn's
baleful influence:

"Saturn was surely in a position of power in the heavens at the moment
of your birth. . . . Your dark hair. . . your average height...tragic
losses so young in life. . "

Does that meaning fit Trelawney's umpteenth recap of Harry's hard-luck
life, or does this?

"Saturn was surely in a position of power in the heavens at the moment
of your birth. . . . Your dark hair. . . your lowly, shabby
stature...tragic losses so young in life. . "

Sounds more consistent with Trelawney's drift, no?

Quotes have to be taken in context and account for where the speaker's
coming from.  Since Trelawney always seems darn near disappointed
Harry is still breathing, why would she call attention to his
'average' height?

Jodel is right, and the literary meaning, as he well put it, is
clearly the correct one.

Jim Ferer