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Newguest Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary
Tubs of pansies
Hi
The guy was walking through the town looking at everything.
He gazed up at the two-story jail, constructed of red brick with white columns out front and tubs of pansies guarding the entrance, and Coke and snack machines set against the wall.
I suppose those "pansies" are the police officers, right?
How about "tubs"?
The guy was walking through the town looking at everything.
He gazed up at the two-story jail, constructed of red brick with white columns out front and tubs of pansies guarding the entrance, and Coke and snack machines set against the wall.
I suppose those "pansies" are the police officers, right?
How about "tubs"?
Top answer
I believe that the whole phrase "tubs of pansies" refers to the prison guards. The word tubs has the connotation of a fat/(and/or short) person while "pansies" suggests that they are also weak. So he seems to be looking down on the guards.
- I believe that the whole phrase "tubs of pansies" refers to the prison guards.
- The word tubs has the connotation of a fat/(and/or short) person while "pansies" suggests that they are also weak.
- So he seems to be looking down on the guards.
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6 Answers
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I believe that the whole phrase "tubs of pansies" refers to the prison guards. The word tubs has the connotation of a fat/(and/or short) person while "pansies" suggests that they are also weak.
So he seems to be looking down on the guards.
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Tempting - very tempting!
But I'm inclined to suspect they're real - metal or wooden tubs, two or three feet in diameter, filled two-thirds full with dirt, and planted with genuine pansies.
Of course I could be wrong. If you've been reading the piece, you have a better idea than I how he feels about cops.
Best regards, - A.
But I'm inclined to suspect they're real - metal or wooden tubs, two or three feet in diameter, filled two-thirds full with dirt, and planted with genuine pansies.
Of course I could be wrong. If you've been reading the piece, you have a better idea than I how he feels about cops.
Best regards, - A.
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Hi guys.
The next two sentences say:
It was the most inviting entrance to the shackled life he had ever seen, though. Next door was a larger building, built of red brick too, with a clock tower and "Court House" stenciled on the outside.
I think both of your answers are possible!
The next two sentences say:
It was the most inviting entrance to the shackled life he had ever seen, though. Next door was a larger building, built of red brick too, with a clock tower and "Court House" stenciled on the outside.
I think both of your answers are possible!
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In view of that, let me add another factor that pushed me away from the metaphors.
Pansies are often set out for decoration in tubs. I've never heard groups of men specifically referred to as "tubs of pansies." An extremely obese person is sometimes referred to as "a tub of lard," as commercial lard is often packed in tubs. At one time "pansies" implied "gays." It all seems very unlikely.
Pansies are often set out for decoration in tubs. I've never heard groups of men specifically referred to as "tubs of pansies." An extremely obese person is sometimes referred to as "a tub of lard," as commercial lard is often packed in tubs. At one time "pansies" implied "gays." It all seems very unlikely.
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On second thought, I have to agree with Avangi. That extra context gave it away bacause I can't associate the most inviting entrance part with obese and weak guards.
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