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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—Ginger's Bad Habits:
When the mare is first introduced, Sewell foreshadows Ginger's “aggressive behavior.” As Merrylegs explains Ginger’s personality to Black Beauty, he also gives an account of how she got her name:
Ginger has a bad habit of biting and snapping; that is why they call her Ginger, and when she was in the loose box, she used to snap very much. One day she bit James in the arm and made it bleed [...]
These early hints of Ginger's nature introduce some tension and anticipation for the reader. Thus far in the novel they have only encountered horses who have been treated well. Now, readers become alert, waiting for events that might revolve around Ginger's aggression and the challenges it presents. Sewell heightens this anticipation through the description of her actions towards humans like James. She didn’t just bite his arm, Merrylegs says, but did so hard enough that she “made it bleed.” Beyond revealing an aspect of Ginger’s character, this foreshadowing also subtly underlines the powerlessness of Victorian horses before their owners' decisions and actions.
The idiom "gingered" in British Victorian slang refers to an aggressive horse. The cruel practice of “gingering” is now illegal, but used to be quite commonly performed in order to make horses seem more lively. It involved applying or inserting an irritant into a horse’s genitals, which would make them extremely uncomfortable and make their movements seem more animated. Through Ginger's story and her name, the novel both subtly and overtly critiques such practices.
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