Petunia's eyes

[louiselux]

JKR goes out of her way in OotP to advertise the fact that Petunia's eyes are nothing like her sister's eyes, to the extent of putting the thought in brackets when Harry is looking at her.

Petunia's eyes are large and pale, like Luna's and Mrs Norris's, or even Narcissa's. Come to think of it Petunia and Narcissa both share a certain superior attitude towards the world, even if, if they ever met, Narcissa would consider Petunia the scum of the earth, being both a muggle and terribly middle class to boot.

Or are Vernon and Petunia social-climbing lower middle class? I'd guess the latter, I think. I bet Vernon used to work on the shop floor of that drills factory he now runs. They're so desperate to make sure everyone knows their status, as though they're hiding slightly less impressive beginnings.

Anyway, to get back to the point, JKR certainly seems to be making some sort of point about Petunia's and Lily's eyes being very different, but what it might mean I've no idea.

Comments

[temaris.livejournal.com]

There's something important about green eyes, apparently. JKR commented in an interview years ago to the question: is there something special about green eyes, some sort of abliity linked to it, that Harry inherited from Lily? that 'you're very clever aren't you?'. Certainly to me this made me think that this was both true and going to be extremely important.

Possibly there is a special reason why Lily was a witch (other than spontaneous muggleborn), and Petunia isn't, hence the difference in the eyes.

[louiselux.livejournal.com]

Possibly there is a special reason why Lily was a witch (other than spontaneous muggleborn), and Petunia isn't, hence the difference in the eyes.

I like this idea, because it might explain why Petunia became (and still is) so jealous of her sister. Some sort of special occurence that meant Lily got chosen or given magical powers and Petunia did not.

[temaris.livejournal.com]

Do we ever get told which was the elder of the two?

[jenocclumency.livejournal.com]

I just surfed in from the Daily Snitch.

Very interesting point! Especially after that JKR interview earlier this week, when she hinted about there being more to Petunia than we knew. I think you've stumbled upon a big clue here.

JKR said in the interview (regarding Petunia): "No, she is not a Squib. She is a Muggle, but—[Laughter]. You will have to read the other books. You might have got the impression that there is a little bit more to Aunt Petunia than meets the eye, and you will find out what it is. She is not a squib, although that is a very good guess. Oh, I am giving a lot away here. I am being shockingly indiscreet."

I keep wanting to say "Aha! She was adopted!" But of course that's impossible, since Dumbledore was able to use that special blood magic to keep Harry safe in the Dursley's house for all those years. So since Harry and Petunia have to be biologically related, but there's more to Petunia than meets the eye, and Petunia DOESN'T have those special green eyes -- hmm...

Has anyone noticed any other green-eyed characters in the books, other than Lily and Harry? I read too much bad fanfic in which half the people have green eyes.

[biascut.livejournal.com]

Doesn't Dobby have green eyes? I will crack up laughing if Lily and Harry turn out to be part House Elf. Oh good God, the imagery!

[louiselux.livejournal.com]

Oh. My. God. He does!

Actually, this theory's not as crazy as it sounds, considering that JKR has made a real feature of the way wizards treat house elves, both in Hermione's campaign and in Kreacher's betrayal of Sirius. There's the whole notion of wizarding superiority over any other species, which even people like Sirius, one of the good guys, takes for granted, and which is the heart of Voldemort's pureblood ideology. Maybe the revelation that the Boy Who Lived is part house elf will help get rid of this inequality for good, or make the wizarding world become less closed and secretive.

Also, house elves have magical powers, which in some respects can be stronger than wizarding powers. Did Lily use some of her house elf powers to protect Harry?

Against: well, like you say, scary imagery abounds! Watch me skirt around the question of how Lily got her house elf blood (my mind is turning horribly to below stairs shagging).

[louiselux.livejournal.com]

There aren't any other characters mentioned who have green eyes, apart from, as biascut says, Dobby; JKR is very careful to mention the colour of Dobby's eyes almost every time he appears:)

I've still no idea what Petunia could be, but one thing leaps to mind - a seer, perhaps?

Harry is afraid in OotP that if he looks in the mirror his own green eyes will become red - I know how JKR loves to foreshadow, or maybe in this case, er, backshadow. Maybe Voldemort had bright green eyes too, before they became red? Tom Riddle's eye colour is never mentioned, apart from an odd 'red gleam' that they pick up.

hey, here from the daily snitch

[http://users.livejournal.com/_peapod/]

Or are Vernon and Petunia social-climbing lower middle class? I'd guess the latter, I think.
i'd have thought the same myself, if it weren't for the fact that vernon went to smeltings schools, which is clearly not a comprehensive (look at the uniforms!). it's funny, because vernon's parents obviously had a bit of money - i doubt he'd have been bright enough to get a scholarship - and yet he and petunia do act so very nouveau-riche.

Re: hey, here from the daily snitch

[louiselux.livejournal.com]

You're absolutely right - I'd forgotten he went to a Public school. Of course, Vernon's parents might be new money and Smeltings does seem like it might be a bit of a dump, really. Although I think JKR exaggerates their nouveau richeness to make them more reprehensible.

Re: hey, here from the daily snitch

[louiselux.livejournal.com]

I love your Charlie icon - very funny!

Re: hey, here from the daily snitch

[http://users.livejournal.com/_peapod/]

thanks! he's so maligned, the poor bloke.

*tweaks his ears*