Re: sexual dimorphism( was: So-called Alternative Lifestyles)

On Sep 13, 2004, at 1:45 PM, Chris Bates wrote:
>> In this case, the chief difference as compared to humans is that
>> elven females
>> are on average only marginally smaller and weaker than males, and
>> have what
>> human males might characterize as a disappointing lack of curves.
>> Elves of both
>> sexes are decidedly thinly built by human standards. Their average
>> height is
>> about the same as that for men in neighbouring human communities.
> This seems to be a common feature of elves in books: every author
> either
> describes them all as feminine or androgynous (and tall and thin and
> fair-haired also generally). What are the roots of this preconception?
> Are they based in the mythology of some culture, or are they from
> Tolkien, or some other author...? I find it interesting comparing
> dwarves and elves also, since dwarves are typically the opposite (or at
> least the logical counterpart to the elves): every member of their
> race,
> male and female, displays exaggerated male characteristics (as well as
> being short). Its no wonder really that in practically every book with
> elves and dwarves the two don't get on well at all, given that the
> feminine characteristics (including their music, art etc which are
> typically thought of as more feminine pursuits) of the elves and the
> masculine characteristics (their warlike nature, often the fact that
> their womenfolk have beards, etc) of the dwarves are so exaggerated
> that
> the gulf between them is massive.
I think it probably did come from Tolkien, since as far as i know
before him elves were generally short, like Keebler's elves.
Speaking of elves, see "Those Eyes" by David Brin:
http://www.davidbrin.com/thoseeyes1.html


-Stephen (Steg)
  "jealousy, selfishness,
   and being a self-hating human
   can cause early death."
      ~ R' Yehoshua` (rough translation)