Jason EganWas 'Tintin' based on a real person?
October 24th 2006 12:56
Tintin & Snowy
Tintin’s age was never fully revealed, but he was portrayed as an adolescent. The official site lists his age as somewhere between 16 and 18. His character was that of an ‘everyman’. He seemed to be swept away by incoming quests at every instance, while keeping that neutral mindset that was reminiscent of the ‘boy scout' values Herge wanted to incorporate centrally within the character. The stories were constructed as such, that the reader could assume Tintin’s position within the unfolding narrative. Having personally read the entire series numerous times, I can vouch for this!
Colonel Sponz
"Bashi Bazouk!"
Other central characters in the series were also born through Herge’s surroundings.
Snowy (‘Milou’ in the French version) was born from a contraction of Herge’s first girlfriend’s name – Marie-Louise (‘Malou’). Captain Haddock (pictured right) – Tintin’s hilariously volatile friend – was born from a remark Herge’s wife once made, that Haddock was a “sad English fish”.
Auguste Piccard
Professor Calculus
Thompson and Thomson
"IRRMAA!"
Maria Callas
The most famous interpretation was the character of Chang Chong-Chen (pictured below-right). Becoming the only character that Tintin sheds a tear for in the series, Chang was Tintin’s dearest friend. He appears in “The Blue Lotus” when he was a ten year old, and then again for “Tintin in Tibet” - when he was a teenager.
Chang Chong-Chen
Memories of Zhang were rekindled again as Tintin was re-united with Chang in the comic “Tintin in Tibet”. During this time, the real life ‘Chang’ (Zhang) had been reduced to a street sweeper by the cultural revolution in China, before becoming the head of the Fine Arts Academy in Shanghai during the 1970s. Herge was seemingly unaware of all this.
In 1981 the French media managed to find Zhang in China, and arranged an emotional reunion with Herge – with the added blessing of the French government. Zhang received French citizenship in 1985, before passing away in 1998.
Herge passed away in 1983. He was 76.
One Happy Family!
| 234 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Justin
Informative and briskly entertaining. I read Tintin as a kid yet only really remember "Tintin in Tibet", but mostly the cover. He was such a great character, thanks for reminding me of him once again. =)
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
I have two blogs which should be of interest to you, especially conversation in the family, but the two complement each other and I am thinking of combining them.
I'd love you to come to visit and give your views on my blogs.
I look forward to your comments.
katyzzz
Comment by Chantal
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
katyzzz
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Ive heard all sorts of rumours about the writer of TinTin and where he goty his inspiration.....but none no definitive answer..
Comment by Chantal
Comment by Anonymous
Really Long Link