What does it mean? Could you help me please? Hello, I read a book named the book thief. In chapter 3 of this book, there is a sentence that makes me confused. The mayor's wife bruised herself again.

Amanda Kim

What does it mean? Could you help me please? Hello, I read a book named the book thief. In chapter 3 of this book, there is a sentence that makes me confused. The mayor's wife bruised herself again. I don't think literally she made a bruise on herself. However after searching for the definition of bruise, nothing is different from what I've known already about what bruise means. So, I need your help if you don't mind please, share your knowledge of English. What does that mean? Thank you for reading and answering in advance. Have a good one!

Mar 2, 2019 6:26 PM

Answers · 10

Earlier in the novel, the author compares the woman’s smile to a a bruise — “gave the appearance now of a bruise.” So, I assume that “bruised herself again” means that the mayor’s wife smiled — probably a forced (insincere) smile, given the tense context of the scene.

March 2, 2019

You're correct in that "bruise" is pretty much only used to refer to an actual physical injury; a darkened patch of skin resulting from a hard blow. If there is no act of physical injury apparent in the text, perhaps the author is using it metaphorically to suggest the character did some type of harm to herself? That would be an unusual use of the word. I hope that helps.

March 2, 2019