Hello everyone. I would like to know what "The snarl fixed itself" means in the following sentences:
The snarl fixed itself, worked on the wooden face till the upper lip was lifted and the chattering teeth bared. The little warmth of anger flushed blood back into the tops of the cheeks and behind the eyes. They opened.
Then he was jerking and splashing and looking up.
- William Golding, Pincher Martin, Chapter 1
This is a novel published in the United Kingdom in 1956. The novel mainly follows the state of mind of a sailor called Christopher "Pincher" Martin, a temporary naval lieutenant who is apparently desperately fighting for his life in the Atlantic after the military ship has sunk. Here, he is struggling in the sea.
In this part, I am wondering what "snarl" would mean in particular.
Would that mean "a tangle of hair"? Or perhaps, "a knot in wood"...? Or, "a noose"? Or... "display of the teeth accompanied by an angry sound"?
But those are just my guesses based on dictionary entries, and I couldn't find a meaning that fits into the context...
Also, would "fix oneself" would mean that the snarl itself has settled down, has found its position...?
I would very much appreciate your help.
The snarl fixed itself, worked on the wooden face till the upper lip was lifted and the chattering teeth bared. The little warmth of anger flushed blood back into the tops of the cheeks and behind the eyes. They opened.
Then he was jerking and splashing and looking up.
- William Golding, Pincher Martin, Chapter 1
This is a novel published in the United Kingdom in 1956. The novel mainly follows the state of mind of a sailor called Christopher "Pincher" Martin, a temporary naval lieutenant who is apparently desperately fighting for his life in the Atlantic after the military ship has sunk. Here, he is struggling in the sea.
In this part, I am wondering what "snarl" would mean in particular.
Would that mean "a tangle of hair"? Or perhaps, "a knot in wood"...? Or, "a noose"? Or... "display of the teeth accompanied by an angry sound"?
But those are just my guesses based on dictionary entries, and I couldn't find a meaning that fits into the context...
Also, would "fix oneself" would mean that the snarl itself has settled down, has found its position...?
I would very much appreciate your help.