Hero types was Re: Another Snape thread/ Snape as hero

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 152115

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "steven1965aaa"
<steven1965aaa at ...> wrote:
>
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "leslie41" <leslie41@> wrote:
> 
> Well, we could argue about this but I think that Grandpre's 
> illustrations are really the best indication of what Snape looks 
> like. 
> 
> Steven1965aaa:
> 
> I think the best indication of what he looks like are the actual
> words describing his appearance, in the books. Based on the words
> in the books, each reader constructs a mental image of him.  Each
> reader constructs his or her own distinct mental image, based on 
> the same words, using imagination, past experience, etc.  That's 
> part of the beauty of a book, as opposed to visual media.
> 
> Although I have to admit that I see him as Alan Rickman!
>

bboyminn:

I'm inclined to agree with Steven1965aaa here. Grandpre's illustration
are caricatures of the various characters. They capture the essense of
the character without forcing an image. 

I think JKR specifically said that she didn't want illustrations in
here books because she wanted individuals to form their own image of
the characters. This is one of the great aspect of JKR's books, she
uses words and creates desciptions in a very compact way. She gives us
just enough to stimulate our imaginations to fill in the detail, and
that creates are far more vivid mental picture than describing every
speck of lint on the carpet, etc.... 

In that sense, JKR did not create Ron or Hogwarts, we did. If you
combine all the descriptions of Ron in the books, you will indeed find
a very sparse total description. The very first description of Ron at
the train station when he and Harry first meet is extremely short.
Yet, I suspect in that moment each and every one of us created a
perfect mental picture of Ron that has grown along with Ron as he's aged.

I think one of the reason JKR doesn't object to and even enjoys
Grandpre's chapter illustrations is because they are such caricatures
that they don't force an image of the character on use, but at the
same time do catch the essense of that character very clearly.

Though I enjoy the chapter illustations and books covers greatly, they
have never once influenced my mental image of any character.

For what it's worth.

Steve/bboyminn