A midget in glasses,

[errolowl <nithya_rachel@hotmail.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51008




GoF Chapter 13
"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... I think I am right in 
sayin, my dear, that you were born in midwinter?"
"No," said Harry, "I was born in July."


Jo Serenadust:

>Sorry to keep flogging this comatose horse, but I still think that 
>in the context Trelawney is using "mean" she "means" that Harry is 
>short (not the mathematical "mean" ie average).

Falcon: 
>>Mathematical or not, when "mean" is used in conjunction 
with "stature" it is describing a person's average height. The 
context is that she is talking about his physical description. "Mean" 
when used to describe someone refers to their average size. <<

me: 

I'll have to go with Jo on this one. While the term "mean
stature" is used in mathematical and scientific descriptions much 
as "average height" would be used in everyday conversation,
the 
literary associations imply *less than average* height. In the 
context that JKR uses this phrase, it carries the negative 
connotation of being puny. Believe me, I know - -the number of times 
my literary friends have used that on me as I grew up!

This negative connotation is what gives rise to the opposite usage, 
as in:

"He was an author of no mean stature ..." (meaning he had
great stature), very similar in usage to:

"she owed her success in no small measure to ..." (meaning
she greatly owed her success to..)

The meaning of these sentences comes from contrasting with the 
opposite set of circumstances, not just the average. 

Falcon:
>> I could agree, except that she used "mean" instead of words to 
describe smallness like; "diminutive," or "miniscule." Mean is 
average when referring to a person's description.<<

me:
Physical description it might be, but nevertheless a literary 
description – not a factual one. Yes, JKR used mean instead of 
diminutive or miniscule or tiny, but when all three mean the same, 
you have the freedom of choice. If she had used diminutive instead, 
would that have meant he was *not* tiny? <g>
"Mean stature" is validly and frequently used in the
negative. And in the context of Trelawney's speech, I have no
doubt that's the right one.

Now whether he really *is* puny, or will continue to be so is another 
debate. True, James is described as tall, thin and black haired, and 
Harry should be destined for a growth spurt sometime soon.


Errol

P.S Erica, I've know quite a few capriconians who are exceedingly 
tall!