When a COUPLE are newly married the first month is honeymoon or smick smack, the second is hither and thither, the third is thwick thwack, the fourth, the devil take them that brought you and I together

Insights

Ideal vs. Reality

The proverb serves as a metaphor for the inevitable clash between idealized expectations and the mundane or harsh realities of a long-term commitment. The 'honeymoon' represents the initial fantasy, which quickly gives way to conflict and disappointment.

The Trajectory of Failed Ventures

Beyond marriage, the four-month decline symbolizes the lifecycle of any venture or relationship that begins with intense passion but fails due to unforeseen challenges and incompatibility, leading to bitterness and regret.

Decay of Affection into Conflict

The progression from the sound of kissing ('smick smack') to the sound of hitting ('thwick thwack') metaphorically represents the erosion of love into violence or intense conflict, illustrating how affection can decay into animosity.

Cynical View of Marriage

This proverb offers a cynical, satirical commentary on the fragility of marital bliss, reflecting a folk wisdom that contrasts sharply with idealized romantic notions. Its structure suggests a cautionary tale, perhaps rooted in a social context where marriages could be pragmatic arrangements that soured once the initial novelty faded.

Psychology of Disillusionment

The proverb masterfully charts the psychological progression from idealization (the 'honeymoon') to disillusionment. The shift from affectionate intimacy ('smick smack') to conflict ('thwick thwack') and finally to external blame ('the devil take them') captures a timeless pattern of relational decay when expectations collide with reality.

Linguistic Vividness

The use of vivid, almost playful onomatopoeia ('smick smack', 'thwick thwack') gives the proverb a theatrical and memorable quality. It transforms an abstract emotional decline into a sequence of concrete, auditory events, making the warning both humorous and stark.

Rhetorical Devices

Onomatopoeia

The use of 'smick smack' (kissing) and 'thwick thwack' (fighting) provides a vivid, auditory representation of the shift from affection to conflict, making the proverb highly memorable.

Narrative Structure

The proverb is structured as a clear chronological narrative, outlining the decline of the marriage month by month. This linear progression creates a powerful and easily understood story arc.

Hyperbole

The final line, 'the devil take them that brought you and I together', is an exaggerated expression of regret that underscores the totality of the marriage's collapse in a darkly humorous way.

Satire

The proverb employs a satirical tone to critique naive or overly romantic expectations of marriage, presenting a humorous but bleak alternative.