Tintin Forums

I've just been thinking about the relationship between these two characters, in a purely platonic way. I'm not adding to the 'Tintin is gay' debate because as far as I'm concerned, he only forms platonic bonds and cannot feel sexual/romantic emotions because Herge says so.

Tintin's lack of biological family means that he can travel around with no ties, but he needs companions who look after him. This is where Haddock comes in; there are no family ties and so he can't pull rank by forbidding/forcing Tintin to do something because he's not his father.

I think It does Tintin good to have someone older around because of his advanced maturity and also to support him. Haddock also gives Tintin a place to be in Marlinspike (doesn't Tintin eventually move in or at least stay over as he pleases?). But it's a place where they can all gather together and be an adoptive family.

EDIT: No, I'm NOT adding to the aforementioned debate! Sorry, typing error!

I'm not SO sure about Haddock's "advanced maturity"...

*Chuckles* You're right there. Guess I need to revise that point; Tintin is the older one in this duo. I just meant an adult figure, really.

Revercub24 you are quite the prolific poster! I mean that entirely as a compliment by the way, I enjoy reading your questions. Didn't you say you just recently got back into the books?

I don't know about TT necessarily needing to be looked after… He seemed to do okay in the earlier books, right? Not that I'm begrudging the Captain any - can't picture the books without him, he's fantastic of course. They're just a great duo.

I admittedly never really saw the father thing due to the sheer lack of background for Tintin. The two of them just seem like they have a great, rollicking, easy and adventurous friendship. I view the Captain as the older, grumpier half and while he does offer up a more cautious, wise approach to things (at least at first), Tintin brings most of the patience and a lot of youthful exuberance. However, the adult figure thing is probably right. I had to think about it because I always forget Tintin is supposed to be a teenager... what with the spontaneous HELICOPTER FLYING and all. (haha)

I think it's really cool though when they're doing something that involves sailing and the Captain brings his past knowledge of that in. And that he gladly shares all the space in the Hall (although I bet the conversation that finally prompted Tintin to move in went something like "Help, I can't handle Calculus by myself anymore!")

*Falls back laughing* I was vaguely familiar with the show as a little girl but I only got into the comics properly just over six weeks ago, although I had, out of increasing interest, been reading about the series on Wikipedia! Other students spend their money on drink - but I, who detest alcohol (Haddock would have a fit) spend it all on Tintin comics! ^_^ That's why I'm on a roll here; there's so much I want to know and I'm going through a serious series lovin' phrase. :)

I think you sum the relationship up better than I do, actually. I agree, Tintin doesn't need to be looked after, he just requires friends to adventure with. :)

To me, Haddock is like a protective uncle to Tintin. He doesn't have the kind of authority that a father would have, nor, dare I say, the respectability. Him and Tintin are such good friends, and Tintin seems so reckless to him sometimes (although Haddock is often even more reckless) that the Captain often accompanies Tintin on his adventures merely to protect him.

Uncle - that's a good way to describe it! They kind of save each other from trouble rather equally though, don't they? I don't remember Haddock ever really protecting him per se... I think Tintin might be too stubborn to ever really listen... (like in the entire Tibet book).

Hmm.. Tintin, stubborn? That's an interesting thought...

He does seem awfully stubborn, although now that I think about it, that might just be strong determination, which almost always pays off in the end.

That, or he's just right most of the time, and has to wait for everyone else to catch on!