Movies · 1946
You know what he’ll do when he comes back? Beat my teeth out, then kick me in the stomach for mumbling.
— Marlowe ‧ The Big Sleep
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The speaker imagines someone knocking out his teeth and then punishing him for mumbling. The second injury would follow from a difficulty caused by the first. That cruel circular logic gives the threat its dark humour, portraying aggression that creates its own excuse to continue.
Context reviewed