Cheek By Jowl: Meaning and Origins
Cheek by jowl is an idiomatic phrase that vividly describes proximity, not simply nearness but a closeness so intimate it suggests touching or being side by side. It implies a closeness that can be physical, emotional, or even conceptual. While commonly understood to mean “close together,” the phrase carries a richness of meaning that resonates deeply within literature and everyday language.
Origins of the Phrase
The phrase dates back to early modern English. It first appeared in printed works of the 16th and 17th centuries. The expression combines the words “cheek” and “jowl,” the latter referring to the lower part of the cheek, to evoke a sense of being side by side. Though its precise early usage is uncertain, the phrase has been recorded in literature since the 1600s and has remained in common usage ever since.
Analyzing the Literary Significance
The power of “cheek by jowl” in literature lies in its ability to create vivid imagery and convey complex ideas with economy. It is not merely descriptive; it is often metaphorical. Authors use it to explore themes of conflict, intimacy, societal structures, and the human condition. The phrase suggests a forced or unavoidable closeness, often with connotations of competition or discomfort. It can highlight both the beauty and the brutality of close relationships—whether between individuals or within a society.
Conflict and Contrast
“Cheek by jowl” often emphasizes the uneasy coexistence of opposing forces. Consider how it can illustrate the tension between life and death, joy and sorrow, or opposing ideologies. A writer might depict enemies standing cheek by jowl during a truce, subtly highlighting the fragile and temporary nature of peace. The closeness underscores the potential for renewed conflict, making it a potent tool for dramatic irony.
Intimacy and Connection
Conversely, the phrase can represent a deep and comforting intimacy. In a romantic context, “cheek by jowl” evokes a sense of tenderness and closeness, suggesting a shared vulnerability. It is not simply physical proximity but an emotional and spiritual connection. This usage emphasizes the comforting, reassuring nature of close relationships.
Social Commentary
“Cheek by jowl” is often used to depict crowded or oppressive social conditions. Describing people living cheek by jowl in a city slum, for example, underscores the lack of privacy, the prevalence of disease, and the dehumanizing effects of poverty. This usage highlights the social inequalities and injustices that force people into such uncomfortable proximities.
Examples in Literature
Lord Alfred Tennyson, The Vision of Sin
Sit thee down, and have no shame,
Cheek by jowl, and knee by knee:
What care I for any name?
What for order or degree?
Tennyson uses “cheek by jowl” to portray a decadent and morally corrupt society. The lack of shame associated with such close proximity highlights the characters’ abandonment of social norms and their descent into sin. The phrase underscores the degradation and moral decay at the heart of the poem.
Ursula K. Le Guin, Cheek by Jowl
Le Guin’s collection of essays, titled Cheek by Jowl, demonstrates a different facet of the phrase. Here it represents the coexistence of seemingly disparate ideas, realities, and perspectives. The title suggests that fantasy and reality, imagination and logic, can exist side by side, enriching our understanding of the world. Le Guin uses the phrase to explore the boundaries between different realms of thought and experience.
Contemporary Usage – Imagining a Crowded City
Consider a modern author describing a bustling marketplace: “The vendors and shoppers pressed cheek by jowl, a sea of faces and voices. The air thrummed with energy but also with a sense of claustrophobia.” Here, the phrase not only conveys physical crowding but also hints at the underlying anxieties and tensions that arise from such intense proximity. It captures the sensory overload and the feeling of being overwhelmed by the masses.
Beyond Literature: Expanding the Usage
While rooted in literary tradition, “cheek by jowl” has permeated everyday language. It is used colloquially to describe any situation involving close proximity, yet the phrase retains its evocative power. It suggests more than just physical closeness; it implies a sense of intimacy, conflict, or interdependence. You might say “The opposing political parties were forced to work cheek by jowl to address the crisis,” highlighting the uncomfortable but necessary collaboration. Or, “The families, though different, lived cheek by jowl for decades, developing a grudging respect for one another.”
Understanding “cheek by jowl” – its origin, literary resonance, and contemporary application – unlocks a deeper appreciation for the nuances of language and the power of evocative imagery. It is a phrase that continues to resonate because it captures a fundamental aspect of the human experience, our inevitable and often complex interconnectedness.