eyes of fiction characters

[Sooki]

OK, I have a weakness for cozy mysteries, especially in audiobooks for the car.  I've noticed a trend in heroines over the years.  They used to be young, tall, thin, beautiful in an undiscovered way, but the most noticeable thing about them was their clear, blue eyes. 

Over the years, the heroines have become older, frumpier, and more interesting, but they still have either clear, striking eyes or eyes that twinkle and sparkle (if a more interesting character), or if nothing else, clear, intelligent eyes.  As though moral worth were measured in the clarity of one's eyes.

So as I age and get frumpier, is there some other aspect that I can emphasize that isn't dull, red eyes?  Where are the novels with older characters with red eyes who squint, but still have the intelligence, cleverness, and moral character to solve the crime and right the wrongs?

[Joe S.]

Ms Marple?

[season]

Good question? Even Angela Lansbury has faded out.

[Sooki]

I'll bet Ms Marple's eyes were clear and bright.  And twinkled when she was amused!

[Cheryl]

Sooki,
Our eyes sparkle right after we put the drops in; I'm sure the squint makes us look intelligent; and everyone knows we don't have the energy to be immoral.

You are right, though, about the characters' descriptions in books!  I hope people don't judge our "character" by our eyes.
Cheryl

[Patze]

Hi Sooki,

Ms. Marple is one of my favorite female crime fighters (her eyes did always sparkle when she discovered a clue or two)!!!  Always did prefer the old black and whites to the more up to date movies.  As much as I like Monk, he has nothing on Ms. Marple!


Patze

[lillibelle]

"Moral worth measured in the clarity of one's eyes."  Wow ~ powerful statement.  "The windows to the soul" and all that  . . . 

It was hard for me to give up my contacts one decade ago and, over the past year, have given up most of my eye makeup.  I'm hanging onto eyeliner on my upper lid for dear life!

As to actors and their eyes, I love Judi Dench's.  Small ~ kind of feline.  Yet, what intelligence she emotes.  She arches that brow, tilts her head to emphasize the cheekbones and steals the scene every time.  Guess we have to 'accentuate the positive' be it lips or brow. 

Then there's Maggie Smith ~ another elderly British actress with big, round eyes that often appear red-rimmed . . .

[Sooki]

Judi Dench and Maggie Smith - yes!  I also reread a Miss Marple and although her eyes twinkle from time to time, they aren't clear and intelligent on first description.  Yes, there is hope. Thx guys.