CHAPDISC: DH35, King's Cross - Glasses

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 185166

---  "Jerri&Dan Chase" <danjerri at ...> wrote:
>
> >> Carol:
> >> <SNIP of the whole post>
> >> Why do you think that Harry isn't wearing his glasses and 
> >> doesn't need them in this chapter? What do the glasses 
> >> symbolize?
> >
> > Alla:
> >
> > Well Geoff already mentioned about Harry being able to see
> > clearly finally, so that part of metaphor is pretty clear to
> > me, however what is more interesting to me is that you 
> > mentioned that Dumbledore still does have his glasses. ..
> 
> And Jerri responds:
> And I simply thought that as this was "real" AND "in Harry's
> head" that Dumbledore had his glasses because Harry's image 
> of DD included his glasses.
> 
> The issue of glasses in the JKR wizarding world has always 
> been a bit incomplete to me, ..., why can't eyes be improved 
> so that one doesn't need glasses. ...  LOTS of characters 
> have glasses,...
> 
> ...
> 
> Jerri
>


bboyminn:

Lots of characters HAVE glasses, but that doesn't mean that
lots of characters NEED glasses. The glasses may just be 
part of image. Glasses signify that someone is old and wise,
and it seems a good image to adopt. 

However, if poor eyesight is a problem, then it certainly 
might be able to be corrected. It is afterall just a 
mishappening of the eye ball. But, it may also be that it is
too minor a problem to deal with by magic. And again, there
is always the image factor to consider. 

Also, keep in mind that most cases of nearsightedness can be
completely, or nearly so, without glasses or eye surgery. There
is a series of exercises called the 'Bates Method' (I think)
whereby any one can correct their own vision. But most people 
are too lazy to do it, as it requires many hours of eye 
excercises. It is much easier to simply get glasses, contacts,
or have your eyes lazer corrected. 

So, we know people have glasses, but we don't know that they
need them. 

Just a thought.

Steve/bboyminn