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About this quote

What does it mean?
A brief description suggesting a man's expression was permanently curled or bitter before he spoke.
In plain terms
His lip was already curled in a sour expression when he arrived.
What can you take from it?
Small physical details can imply long-standing traits.

Where it applies

  • character sketch
  • scene setting
  • physical description

Putting it to work

  • show mood through details
  • imply history

Questions to consider

  • How does expression reveal character?
  • What do small details show?

Another view

The sentence is very brief and offers little context.

More from Raymond Chandler

  1. She had a lot of face and chin. She had pewter-colored hair set in a ruthless permanent, a hard beak, and large moist eyes with the sympathetic expression of w…

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  2. The little blonde at the PBX cocked a shell-like ear and smiled a small fluffy smile. She looked playful and eager, but not quite sure of herself, like a new k…

    Permalink to quote #22
  3. ...crazy as a couple of waltzing mice.

    Permalink to quote #19

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