Character Postures

Every little movement Has a meaning all its own; Every thought and feeling By some posture can be shown. --"Madame Sherry"

People who like to read palms (or have theirs read), who read characters from handwriting and buy books on personality, were glad to hear last week of a new technique of character analysis. Prof. William H. Blake, instructor in educational dramatics at Columbia University, declared: "A person's salient characteristics can be distinguished from the way he holds himself, from the way he distributes his weight, and the way he uses his arms and legs."

Prof. Blake admitted that the psychological background of posture is so complex it may never be interpreted with scientific exactitude. But after several years of serious study he was ready to define and demonstrate a few outstanding posture-types.

Timid Man. His feet, knees, elbows and wrists are turned in. While his hand is turned out, his thumb is covered by his fingers. Often timidity is betrayed by a curled little finger. His chest is low, his head on an angle, his chin raised.

Pugnacious Man. His feet are apart, form a strong base. His knees are bent and strong, his wrist turned out, his hand in. His head is forward, his chin in.

Mentally Egotistical Man. His hips are forward as he leans back on his heels, stomach and chest inflated. His hands are weak, his chin raised. Over his body there is very little mental control.

Normal Man. Different are the types of various races. The U. S. Normal Man stands with his feet fairly well apart, his weight forward, more aggressive than philosophical. His hands are well controlled, his arms relaxed, his head straight, his chin in.