Fold inward

Question

What does " my chest fold inward" mean in the following paragragh?

The Japanese study my brother. I stare at the sharp bayonets, unable to breate. My chest folds inward and I glance quickly at all the faces. A soldier begins to laugh, and the others join him. they throw their heads back and laugh from the belly.
When the Elephants Dance by Tess Uriza Holthe

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]What does " my chest fold inward" mean in the following paragragh? The Japanese study my brother. I stare at ... join him. they throw their heads back and laugh from the belly. When the Elephants Dance by Tess Uriza Holthe[/nq]
It probably means that she is shrinking back in fear from what she is seeing, without actually changing her position. She can't breathe and expand her chest. Maybe her arms or shoulders are moving forward and inward a little.

john

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Subject: fold inward From: masa -asahi+o@r.dion.ne.jp What does " my chest fold inward" mean in the following paragragh? The Japanese ... join him. they throw their heads back and laugh from the belly. When the Elephants Dance by Tess Uriza Holthe[/nq]
In theory, it's impossible to fold a chest inwards, because the ribcage is a rigid structure; but I've just been trying the posture out, and I found I could tilt my ribcage inwards about three inches before my stomach started joining in (to fold the stomach in is by comparison straightforward, but not something to do in front of bayonet-wielding soldiers), though after about three and a half minutes a burning pain in the sternum brought the experiment to an end.

"The chest, the chest, everything is in the chest." Etienne Decroux.

In my view, therefore, the inward folding of the chest in this passage represents an involuntary, almost imperceptible, flinching on the part of the narrator. Any more demonstrative reaction might set the enemy off, and so emotion fights with physiological turmoil.
All the same, I find the author's prose style imprecise. If the soldiers threw their heads back, no wonder they then have to laugh from the belly. If I were the heroine, I'd take this opportunity to rush the soldiers while they are still headless, armed with bayonets or not. Because she might not get another chance.
Peasemarch.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Subject: fold inward From: masa -asahi+o@r.dion.ne.jp What does " my ... the belly. When the Elephants Dance by Tess Uriza Holthe[/nq]
[nq:1]In theory, it's impossible to fold a chest inwards, because the ribcage is a rigid structure; but I've just been ... rush the soldiers while they are still headless, armed withbayonets or not. Because she might not get another chance. Peasemarch.[/nq]
I shrank into myself with horror. I was so horrified that I involuntarily tried to make myself as small as possible.

Mike.

Fold inward

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