What is a "local-colour box"?
#1
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What is a "local-colour box"?
Strictly speaking, this isn't a travel question, but I thought that, since this comes from an English novel (A Room With a View), someone from that part of the world might know. It's from chapter 2, when Miss Lavish abandons Lucy exclaiming, "There goes my local-colour box! I must have a word with him." As this takes place in 19th century Italy, someone who is familiar with that country might also know. Web searches have proven fruitless. Thanks for any help!
#2
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Local color would mean people, things, surroundings, etc., that are typical of the local culture. I suppose a local-color box would refer literally or figuratively to something that reminds the speaker of the local culture.
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I agree. A "watercolour box" refers to one of those metal or wood boxes filled with watercolours (or watercolors, if you prefer!). So this was Miss Lavish's little witticism -- referring to the character as a source of local colour comparable to a paintbox as a source of paint.
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Wow; I am so dense... I've read RWAV at least 3 times, probably 4 or 5, and I never makde the connection between local-colour box and a paint box. duh
Thanks KT... I will next read it with new understanding.
Thanks KT... I will next read it with new understanding.
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I suppose KT is right. I did think of watercolors when I was trying to figure it out.
Still, there is something clumsy about this witticism that keeps me from being 100% convinced there's not more to it.
Still, there is something clumsy about this witticism that keeps me from being 100% convinced there's not more to it.