Hold your tongue Quote by Mervyn Peake
““For answer Mr Flay shot his head forward out of his collar and croaked, ‘Silence! you kitchen thing. Hold your tongue you greasy fork.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Gormenghast, 1946
A character forcefully silences a noisy presence, using vivid metaphor to assert control over chaos.
In simple terms: He tells the noisy thing to be quiet.
Key Takeaway
Assert authority over disruptive noise.
Themes
authority
conflict
language
metaphor
Mood
defiant
dramatic
Type
literary
dialogue
When to use this quote
- office disputes
- family arguments
- public speaking
- online debates
Key Concepts
power dynamics
assertion
symbolic language
Questions to Reflect On
- How does vivid language affect persuasion?
- When is forceful silence appropriate?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may obscure the literal meaning for some readers.
