Previous
Hyperbole
Definition of Idiom
An idiom is a phrase that conveys a figurative meaning that is difficult or impossible to understand based solely on a literal interpretation of the words in the phrase. For... read full definition
An idiom is a phrase that conveys a figurative meaning that is difficult or impossible to understand based solely on a literal interpretation of the... read full definition
An idiom is a phrase that conveys a figurative meaning that is difficult or impossible to understand based solely on... read full definition
Chapter 4
Explanation and Analysis—Pig's Ear:
In Chapter 4, Jem and Dill squabble over whether or not Dill is lying about the things he’s done. Jem does not believe Dill’s tall tales, choosing to express this sentiment through idiom:
“I helped the engineer for a while,” said Dill, yawning.
“In a pig’s ear you did, Dill. Hush,” said Jem. “What’ll we play today?”
The phrase "in a pig's ear" is an idiom used to contradict an outlandish tale—one cannot do anything meaningful “in a pig’s ear”; it’s simply a nonsense location. Jem clearly does not believe what Dill tells him; nor, perhaps, should he, given that Dill has a penchant for telling tall tales.
While Jem calls Dill out for fibbing this one time, he does not do so every time. This is likely because Jem does not want to embarrass Dill, who, despite his energetic personality, is quite obviously enduring a difficult home situation. Regardless of motive, not calling Dill out regularly for his lies may be a kindness from Jem.
Dill is evidently lying about his life as a means of coping with a difficult situation. While Jem calls attention to this lying occasionally (as above), he mostly chooses to spare Dill, subconsciously recognizing a coping mechanism for what it is. And his idiomatic way of calling out Dill can be read as a relatively friendly way of doing so.
Related Themes:
