August 2009
Soon, I plan to place a largish mirror where our Little Dragons can catch sight of themselves and we can observe their reactions. I wonder how many will actually recognise themselves! Could be fun!
Random thoughts concerning Mirrors!
Mirrors are one of life’s rather fascinating objects. Many, many moons ago, when I was but a teenager, I remember seeing a film with either Rita Hayworh or Hedy Lamaar, both glamorous film stars of the day, playing the part of a beautiful, sensuous being (it may have been as Salome or perhaps Delilah), bringing down through her beauty a whole Empire . Whichever, whoever and whatever, she resorted to using a copper (or was it brass) mirror in order to be certain of her devastating effect on Victor Mature or, maybe, Robert Mitchum.
One of my sons’ favourite childhood stories was Snow White, and I well remember the effect on one son when the Wicked Queen demanded of her mirror, ‘Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of us all? His terror at seeing her picture caused him to rush to hide behind the settee – long before Dr. Who and the Daleks.
Mirrors can act as friend or foe. Perhaps you will remember the mirrors that were situated on the square pillars in the Woolworth’s Store in Shrewsbury about 25 years ago. They were definitely ageing. I caught a sight of myself once in one such mirror and as I thought, ‘She looks grumpy!’ – I realised that it was own image reflected before me. What a shock! Since that time I have always tried to walk through town with an uplift to the corners of my mouth as I have come to realise that such an expression can take ten years off one’s apparent age – and it is interesting to note that people assume that you are smiling at them – and return the compliment.
I find that the difference between a mirrored image and a photographic image is quite startling. It took me many years to realise that the image in the mirror is not the one that others see – but the photographic image is – oh dear! The photographs taken when we are unaware can be quite earth-shattering until one realises that such is the image that other people always see – that’s how we are, so why worry?
Of course, some mirrors, are constructed to reflect a not-quite true image of the viewer. Why is it that the rectangular mirrors to be found in Marks & Spencer give a ‘not bad’ image, whilst the narrow diagonal ones which allow one’s rear view to leap into the frame, immediately add at least 12 lbs to the shape and figure? Amazing technology – maybe - maybe not!!!!!
Val Butterworth