Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hela]

Hello again,

Would you please tell me how you would explain the verb "sprawling out" in this context? The definition I have found in the dictionary doesn't match.

"Quite an ovation," she cried, sprawling out of her first-class carriage. "They'll take us for royalty. Oh, Mr. Kingcroft, get us foot-warmers." E.M. Forster

All the best

[Suzanne]

Hi!

Sprawling means to be spread out in a very ungraceful or careless way. It is not a polite or formal way to sit. Anyone who is sprawling in first-class coach would never be taken for royalty!

Sometimes, we will use sprawling to mean casual or relaxed. Example: The kids sprawled in front of the television.

Does that help?

[hela]

But here she is not sitting in a careless manner she leaning out of the carriage, waving goodbye at her relatives perhaps.

[Suzanne]

I think we are interpreting the phrase differently!

"Quite an ovation," she cried, sprawling out of her first-class carriage. "They'll take us for royalty. Oh, Mr. Kingcroft, get us foot-warmers." E.M. Forster

An ovation is not the same as waving good-bye to relatives; it's more of a public welcome, or enthusiastic recognition. I picture her as someone who is NOT royalty, but who hopes that by being in a first-class carriage, will be seen as an upper class person.

" Sprawling out" is in contrast to being in the first-class carriage; royalty would never sprawl. I see her getting out of the carriage in a very ungraceful way, perhaps sliding out, with her legs and arms going in different directions. A person of upper class or royalty would step out in a smooth manner.

It's also possible that Forster is using "sprawling out" just to describe how inappropriate she is in this situation, not to show her exact movements.

It would be interesting to know what happens before or after this section. Sometimes having more information helps to interpret words like this.

Thanks for your comments-
Have a good day!

[hela]

Good morning Suzanne,

Here are some passages of the text. http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Where_Angels_Fear_to_Tread/Chapter_1

"They were all at Charing Cross to see Lilia off--Philip, Harriet, Irma, Mrs. Herriton herself. Even Mrs. Theobald, squired by Mr. Kingcroft, had braved the journey from Yorkshire to bid her only daughter good-bye. Miss Abbott was likewise attended by numerous relatives, and the sight of so many people talking at once and saying such different things caused Lilia to break into ungovernable peals of laughter.
"Quite an ovation," she cried, sprawling out of her first-class carriage. "They'll take us for royalty. Oh, Mr. Kingcroft, get us foot-warmers." [...]
"Good-bye, dear every one. What a whirl!" She caught sight of her little daughter Irma, and felt that a touch of maternal solemnity was required. "Good-bye, darling. Mind you're always good, and do what Granny tells you."[...]
"She is sure to be good," said Mrs. Herriton, who was standing pensively a little out of the hubbub. But Lilia was already calling to Miss Abbott, a tall, grave, rather nice-looking young lady who was conducting her adieus in a more decorous manner on the platform.
"Caroline, my Caroline! Jump in, or your chaperon will go off without you." [...]
"Good old Harry!" She kissed every one again, and there was a moment's silence. [...]
Then the train moved, and they all moved with it a couple of steps, and waved their handkerchiefs, and uttered cheerful little cries. [...]
"I hope he is satisfied. I did not think my sister-in-law distinguished herself in her farewells.""

I think that Lilia was in the train at first, then got off it to kiss everybody goodbye and then stepped in again when the train was about to leave. Correct?

So as you said when she "sprwaled off the train" she was not actually leaning out of the train window, but stepping off the train to farewell all her family and friends. Right? And the way she walked off the train was not elegant and worthy of royalty. Correct?

Have a good day

[Suzanne]

First of all, congratulations for figuring out such a difficult passage! This is not an easy read! Outdated English always takes extra thought; in some ways, it's like another language.

I think you are absolutely correct--Lilia gets off the train to say good-bye again. She seems to be less concerned about her behavior than her traveling companion, Miss Abbott. While Lilia was enthusiastically talking to the people who came to see her off, Caroline Abbott was "conducting her adieus in a more decorous manner..." I think Forster chooses the word "sprawling" to show the contrast between Lilia's and Caroline's actions. "Sprawling" and "decorous" are opposites.

Personally, if I were taking a trip and leaving my little daughter behind, I think I would be acting more like Lilia than Caroline. How about you?

[hela]

And so would I! You're talking to a Mediterranean.