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Ahava_yin Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
Detached ear
Hi,
I have this passage talking about technology. The writer takes cell phone with earpiece as an example to show his idea that technology goes too far. He couldn't stand someone's talking loudly in public on cell phone. He writes, "if a person attaches an earpiece thingy and walks around shouting in public, bystanders should be allowed to snatch the wire and sprint off down the airport concourse, with the shouter's earphone, and possibly even the shouter's detached ear, bouncing gaily behind on the floor"
I'm having difficulty in understanding "detached ear". It could not mean the ear falls off, right? That'll be too bloody. Then how to understand that?
"bouncing gaily" is describing the ear, am I right?
Thank you for your attention. Thanks.
I have this passage talking about technology. The writer takes cell phone with earpiece as an example to show his idea that technology goes too far. He couldn't stand someone's talking loudly in public on cell phone. He writes, "if a person attaches an earpiece thingy and walks around shouting in public, bystanders should be allowed to snatch the wire and sprint off down the airport concourse, with the shouter's earphone, and possibly even the shouter's detached ear, bouncing gaily behind on the floor"
I'm having difficulty in understanding "detached ear". It could not mean the ear falls off, right? That'll be too bloody. Then how to understand that?
"bouncing gaily" is describing the ear, am I right?
Thank you for your attention. Thanks.
Top answer
The writer does indeed (with some satisfaction) imagine that the shouter's ear will be pulled off with the earphone. In the context of humorous hyperbole, violent incidents may be presented bloodlessly. It's like 'Tom & Jerry'.
- The writer does indeed (with some satisfaction) imagine that the shouter's ear will be pulled off with the earphone.
- In the context of humorous hyperbole, violent incidents may be presented bloodlessly.
- It's like 'Tom & Jerry'.
- The detached ear 'bounces gaily', which also reassures the reader that this is meant to be humorous.
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3 Answers
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The writer does indeed (with some satisfaction) imagine that the shouter's ear will be pulled off with the earphone.
In the context of humorous hyperbole, violent incidents may be presented bloodlessly. It's like 'Tom & Jerry'.
The detached ear 'bounces gaily', which also reassures the reader that this is meant to be humorous.
In the context of humorous hyperbole, violent incidents may be presented bloodlessly. It's like 'Tom & Jerry'.
The detached ear 'bounces gaily', which also reassures the reader that this is meant to be humorous.
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Hi,
I found "detached earlobe", and the book has a picture for that, earlobe like Buddha's. I'm wondering whether "detached ear" has anything to do with "detached earlobe". Thank you for your ideas.
I found "detached earlobe", and the book has a picture for that, earlobe like Buddha's. I'm wondering whether "detached ear" has anything to do with "detached earlobe". Thank you for your ideas.
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Hello Ahava
I believe a 'detached earlobe' is an inherited condition, whereas the 'detached
ear' in your sentence seems to have an environmental origin, i.e. an unprovoked
attack by a phonophobic psychopath.
MrP
I believe a 'detached earlobe' is an inherited condition, whereas the 'detached
ear' in your sentence seems to have an environmental origin, i.e. an unprovoked
attack by a phonophobic psychopath.
MrP
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