“almost lovingly apart” meaning in this context












2















He had run barely a dozen steps when he reached them: Dudley was curled up on the ground, his arms clamped over his face. A second Dementor was crouching low over him, gripping his wrists in its slimy hands, prising them slowly, almost lovingly apart, lowering its hooded head towards Dudley's face as though about to kiss him....



[Excerpt from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K.Rowling]




As I understand, 'apart' means 'separated', and 'lovingly' means "with fondness; with love". It seems strange when they put together "lovingly apart" in this context. I don't know what it's supposed to mean. How should we understand it?






meaning-in-context







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  • FWIW, it is not an idiosyncratic phrase by any means: google.com/…
    – Tᴚoɯɐuo
    27 mins ago
















2















He had run barely a dozen steps when he reached them: Dudley was curled up on the ground, his arms clamped over his face. A second Dementor was crouching low over him, gripping his wrists in its slimy hands, prising them slowly, almost lovingly apart, lowering its hooded head towards Dudley's face as though about to kiss him....



[Excerpt from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K.Rowling]




As I understand, 'apart' means 'separated', and 'lovingly' means "with fondness; with love". It seems strange when they put together "lovingly apart" in this context. I don't know what it's supposed to mean. How should we understand it?






meaning-in-context







share|improve this question
























  • FWIW, it is not an idiosyncratic phrase by any means: google.com/…
    – Tᴚoɯɐuo
    27 mins ago














2












2








2








He had run barely a dozen steps when he reached them: Dudley was curled up on the ground, his arms clamped over his face. A second Dementor was crouching low over him, gripping his wrists in its slimy hands, prising them slowly, almost lovingly apart, lowering its hooded head towards Dudley's face as though about to kiss him....



[Excerpt from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K.Rowling]




As I understand, 'apart' means 'separated', and 'lovingly' means "with fondness; with love". It seems strange when they put together "lovingly apart" in this context. I don't know what it's supposed to mean. How should we understand it?






meaning-in-context







share|improve this question
















He had run barely a dozen steps when he reached them: Dudley was curled up on the ground, his arms clamped over his face. A second Dementor was crouching low over him, gripping his wrists in its slimy hands, prising them slowly, almost lovingly apart, lowering its hooded head towards Dudley's face as though about to kiss him....



[Excerpt from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K.Rowling]




As I understand, 'apart' means 'separated', and 'lovingly' means "with fondness; with love". It seems strange when they put together "lovingly apart" in this context. I don't know what it's supposed to mean. How should we understand it?






meaning-in-context




meaning-in-context






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




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edited 2 hours ago









RubioRic

4,0541931




4,0541931










asked 4 hours ago









dan

4,65722567




4,65722567












  • FWIW, it is not an idiosyncratic phrase by any means: google.com/…
    – Tᴚoɯɐuo
    27 mins ago


















  • FWIW, it is not an idiosyncratic phrase by any means: google.com/…
    – Tᴚoɯɐuo
    27 mins ago
















FWIW, it is not an idiosyncratic phrase by any means: google.com/…
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
27 mins ago




FWIW, it is not an idiosyncratic phrase by any means: google.com/…
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
27 mins ago










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The Dementor is moving Dudley's arms apart in order to take Dudley's soul. The word "lovingly" is used to make the scene more frightful to the reader. Note the word "almost" - this means "had it been in another situation, this movement would have looked very loving and gentle".



There is a contrast between the horrible situation and the gentle prizing apart of Dudley's arms.



There is a horrible scene (a longer version) in Saving Private Ryan in which a soldier almost lovingly and slowly puts a knife in another soldier during hand-to-hand combat.






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    1 Answer
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    1 Answer
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    The Dementor is moving Dudley's arms apart in order to take Dudley's soul. The word "lovingly" is used to make the scene more frightful to the reader. Note the word "almost" - this means "had it been in another situation, this movement would have looked very loving and gentle".



    There is a contrast between the horrible situation and the gentle prizing apart of Dudley's arms.



    There is a horrible scene (a longer version) in Saving Private Ryan in which a soldier almost lovingly and slowly puts a knife in another soldier during hand-to-hand combat.






    share|improve this answer




























      3














      The Dementor is moving Dudley's arms apart in order to take Dudley's soul. The word "lovingly" is used to make the scene more frightful to the reader. Note the word "almost" - this means "had it been in another situation, this movement would have looked very loving and gentle".



      There is a contrast between the horrible situation and the gentle prizing apart of Dudley's arms.



      There is a horrible scene (a longer version) in Saving Private Ryan in which a soldier almost lovingly and slowly puts a knife in another soldier during hand-to-hand combat.






      share|improve this answer


























        3












        3








        3






        The Dementor is moving Dudley's arms apart in order to take Dudley's soul. The word "lovingly" is used to make the scene more frightful to the reader. Note the word "almost" - this means "had it been in another situation, this movement would have looked very loving and gentle".



        There is a contrast between the horrible situation and the gentle prizing apart of Dudley's arms.



        There is a horrible scene (a longer version) in Saving Private Ryan in which a soldier almost lovingly and slowly puts a knife in another soldier during hand-to-hand combat.






        share|improve this answer














        The Dementor is moving Dudley's arms apart in order to take Dudley's soul. The word "lovingly" is used to make the scene more frightful to the reader. Note the word "almost" - this means "had it been in another situation, this movement would have looked very loving and gentle".



        There is a contrast between the horrible situation and the gentle prizing apart of Dudley's arms.



        There is a horrible scene (a longer version) in Saving Private Ryan in which a soldier almost lovingly and slowly puts a knife in another soldier during hand-to-hand combat.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



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        edited 3 hours ago

























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        CowperKettle

        28k1088166




        28k1088166






























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