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Tue 22 Dec, 2009 10:53 pm
I don't get what "Might as well try to win a race in a soup-tureen as hope to get away from them in this old barge" means.
Does "them" refer to Dr.Dolittle and his pets? What is "a race in a soup-tureen"?
Context:
"This is a poor ship the Prince gave us," said Gub-Gub, the pig--"the slowest he could find, I should think. Might as well try to win a race in a soup-tureen as hope to get away from them in this old barge. Look how near they are now! --You can see the mustaches on the faces of the men--six of them. What are we going to do?"
Full context:
http://www.pagebypagebooks.com/Hugh_Lofting/The_Story_of_Doctor_Dolittle/Red_Sails_And_Blue_Wings_p2.html
"Might as well try to win a race in a soup-tureen as hope to get away from them in this old barge"
A soup tureen in a round container meant to hold soup. He is saying that trying to get away from them is as useless as using a soup tureen as a boat, which would make for a ride going around and around in a round, small container.
The vessel that they are currently in is as slow and clumsy in the water as if it were shaped like a soup tureen.
A tureen
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