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undecided / indecisive
Jul 31, 2008 14:04
15 yrs ago
English term

and a suspicion that would be pathological

English Art/Literary Cinema, Film, TV, Drama
After her shameful, loveless induction into sexuality at the hands of one of her fellow student revolutionaries, Wong will not turn back: she submits to Yee's sadistic sexuality and ***a suspicion that would be pathological were it not intuitively correct***, and answers it with unflinching confidence (doomed to fissure in private). To the suggestion of a trap, she replies, "What trap are you talking about? My body?"

I'm not sure about the meaning of that particular phrase ("a suspicion that would be pathological were it not intuitively correct").

How do you guys read it? Thanks.
Responses
4 +8 a suspicion so intense that it almost amounted to a mental illness
5 +1 suspicion so intense

Discussion

d_vachliot (X) (asker) Jul 31, 2008:
Yes, I think that's the only possible meaning. Thanks. I'm closing the question.
d_vachliot (X) (asker) Jul 31, 2008:
... to the suspicions of Mr. Yee concerning her true identity perhaps?
d_vachliot (X) (asker) Jul 31, 2008:
www.celebritywonder.com/movie/2007_Lust,_Caution108.html

Responses

+8
7 mins
Selected

a suspicion so intense that it almost amounted to a mental illness

...though you can't really call it that, since his suspicion was justified.
Peer comment(s):
agree Patricia Townshend (X)
18 mins
Thank you.
agree Ramesh Bhatt
29 mins
Thank you.
agree Martin Cassell : ... that it would have amounted ...., were it not ...
52 mins
Thank you.
agree Vicky Nash
57 mins
Thank you.
agree John Alphonse (X) : Yes, it refers to a suspicion bordering on sickness if it wasn't in fact accurate. It's sort of a strange, contradictory term from the outset I think, but it is widely used.
1 hr
Thank you.
agree Tony M
1 hr
Thank you.
agree Shera Lyn Parpia
2 hrs
Thank you.
agree Phong Le
10 hrs
Thank you.
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks, Jack."
+1
15 mins

suspicion so intense

her suspicions were so strong that, if it were not true, would be seen as a sign of mental illness
Peer comment(s):
neutral John Alphonse (X) : Good explanation.
1 hr
agree Tony M
1 hr
Something went wrong...
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