I don't have time for this I don't have time for this I don't have time for this I don't have time for this I don't have time for this I don't have time for this
But.
Since everyone and their mama is saying something about this today, let me say something further. When we get flak at TLC it's from HP-haters who think we would simply lay down in front of a train for JKR just because she's JKR. No, people. It's things like this that make us love her, and if you can't see that above many other things on earth it's a reason to love someone, I'm not sure I can speak sense to you.
And then I read that people are dissecting her books to say that she hates fat people and all the bad people are fat and blah blah -
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, people!
Dudley's fatness doesn't make him "bad." Dudley's fatness shows that he is spoiled, shows that he has been given too much and doesn't know when to stop taking. Bellatrix is wasted from her time in Azkaban and there are few as evil; Snape is sallow and overall we perceive him to be smallish and wiry, and yet look where he is now. Pettigrew's chubbiness was an indicator of his self-esteem issues, I thought, that would make him do the things he has done - run to a protector, seek strength/power/popularity, etc.
But there's something so much more important about her books that no one is noticing.
Find me one person in her books to whom "thin" is attributed to good looks. Neville is round-faced and people has assumed that meant chubby - I've seen plenty of thin round-faced people. Fleur is a caricature, and we assume her to have a model body, but only she herself refers to her figure ('I weel not feet eento my Ogwarts robes,' or something), and that descriptor doesn't say if she's rail thin, stately, voluptuous, buxom, whatever. Hermione? Never. Harry? The negative connotation of thin: scrawny. Ron is lanky, yes, but he's not described as, you know, winning Witch Weekly's Best Smile. Oh, maybe Gilderoy has a descriptor… Eloise Midgen has acne - that's all we know - and there are conjured images of her busting her skirt (look what they did to her in the movie).
But again, I don't think anyone's body type has attributed to their "good look" factor. I think these characters bring forth certain images in our minds precisely because of these conventions, because of these fashion magazines, because of the way cultural imagery pounds into us what a "likable" person should look like.
This is one of the things I love best about her books; we love and hate characters without that descriptor. Who knows what Ginny looks like beyond having red hair? She might have no chest and big thighs! I might love her more if she did! The question is: would everyone, if given definitive pictures?
Wow. JKR is really an inspiration. If anything, I love her more. Intelligence and morals along with some insight to the world around make her a true role model, and shows how much she really does rock. Lol anyway I just want to thank you for this. It really is good to get some news and opinions from Jo.
Thanks,
Katie
Again,
I applaud you Melisaa for taking out the time to share your views and to give your fateful HP followers and blog readers an insight into your mind and to also give us a reason to Love you even more.
Thank you.
-Lizzie
Melissa,
I completely agree with you. One of the things I love about the books is that description of physical attributes is limited. The only emphasis we ever see is in height relevance, and hair and eye color. After that, it is up to the reader to fill in the rest. Had Herminone been perfect without the bushy hair and big front teeth I doubt I would love her as much. The Dudley thing is just silly. Jo is not attacking "fat" people. Look at Mrs. Weasley, she is a plump woman and she is a much better mother and person than skinny Petunia. I hated what they did in the GoF movie. I could never imagine Jo having something like that come out of Ron's mouth. I wanted to throw something at the screen:). Anyway, I'm glad she wrote about this and I'm glad you think it's important enough to discuss because many of us agree. Thanks!
If only everyone was as intelligent as JKR...This world would be great
Hooray for Jo Rowling for talking about this subject. Why are women judged not by their accomplishments but by their looks? This is a subject that is near and dear to me. Thank you Melissa for coming to Jo's side and setting the record straight. Your insite was right on target!
Melissa, thanks for pointing that out. I love JKR she doesn't bash fat people, what kind of crap are people coming up w/ now?!
I loved JKRs post so much. Honestly I think that stupid girls song by Pink does justice to what a lot of decent people have been thinking these years. I would much rather be a Hermione myself.
Anyway, your post was inspiring. "Who knows what Ginny looks like beyond having read hair? She might have no chest & big thighs! I might love her more if she did!" Aha, same here.
Thank you SO MUCH for posting this, Melissa. Jo's article was truly an eye-opener for me, and I'm positive it affected other girls my age in the same way. I am so thankful to Jo for writing that piece, and I cannot honeslty believe that people would try to claim that she's some sort of hypocrite over this. Can this woman do anything right in those people's eyes?
As much as I've enjoyed Jo's writing and the HP series, nothing has inspired me to write a note of appreciation to her like that article. Thank goodness someone influential is taking a stand on some of these issues and saying, wait this isn't right and the media shouldn't be glorifying it!
Thank you Melissa and Jo for addressing the issue of how there is this obession with being thin. I admire both of you for it!
You guys rock! :D
I'm a bit on the tubby side myself, but whether it was when I was slim and fit, or as I am these days, I've frequently been told that "I'm too nice"! (Always wandered how you can be too nice, but anyway...)
As such, I agree with everything that's been said!! The size of your tummy/bum doesn't matter!! It's how you treat other people that's important!!
To Jo and Melissa I say this- You go Girls!!!!!
Ms. Annelli,
Well said!
Thank you,
BW
melissa you are honestly brilliant. honestly.
Oh, Melissa, all I can say to this is THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS.
I completely agree with you 101% and once again, thank you.
YES! I
These are the sorts of things that teenage girls need to be hearing more...Jo and Melissa, you've been added to my list of incredibly awesome people!
i completely agree...people bah ...they're annoying
You go Melissa. I abso agree and I think JKR makes a great point to almost sum the moral you don't have to be ill to be beautiful. Is Ginny a twig: NO but Harry stills thinks she wonderful!
And don't go and try to say ' Well you guys are just backing JKR up because you like her books" because no matter how true that is I also love her wisedom and good points.
My piece of advice to reporters everywhere : If you don't know what your talking about be quiet (*cough*the*cough*scotsman*cough*) (
AzraelSmurfCatcher
P.S. I really do have a cough right now oddly
Great article Melissa! I envy your way with words!
wow. i just found your site, and yes, I completely agree with your points. In fact, I believe Ginny to be the stockier Weasley build (like Charlie, rather than Ron).
Actually, she pointedly describes Hepzibah Smith as being a hefty lady, and though she may be a little vapid and vain, she's basically a nice enough person. Professor Sprout also seems to come across as on the large side, does she not?
i love this article! everyone at my school is obssesed with being the most 'good looking' or 'hot' as they can. i actualy think they look rather stupid trying to copy what everyone else calls 'cool'. i am not particularly good looking but that does not make me a bad person. thank you again i really love your site! :)