Meaning & Analysis
The speaker will consciously set aside the concept of 'dare'—meaning the fear, risk, or challenge associated with an action—by figuratively placing it behind a door, out of sight and mind, in order to proceed with the action without hesitation.
Insights
Overcoming Fear
The proverb is a metaphor for the conscious suppression of fear. 'Putting Dare behind the door' symbolizes the mental act of compartmentalizing anxiety and doubt in order to act boldly and decisively.
Willful Defiance
It represents an act of willful defiance against perceived limitations, whether internal (self-doubt) or external (a challenge from others). It is a declaration of personal agency and the refusal to be intimidated.
Mind Over Matter
The phrase illustrates the power of the mind to control emotional responses. By choosing to mentally dismiss the obstacle of fear, the speaker empowers themselves to proceed with a difficult or risky task.
Psychological Externalization
The proverb personifies 'Dare' as a tangible obstacle that can be physically set aside. This externalization is a powerful psychological tool, allowing an individual to separate their fear from their identity, making it easier to overcome. It transforms an internal struggle into a manageable, external problem.
Commitment to Action
The proverb functions as a verbal commitment to action, a self-motivating mantra. By stating the intention to 'put Dare behind the door', the speaker reinforces their own resolve and dismisses the perceived challenge or threat, turning fear into a catalyst for action.
Cultural Retort
As noted in Kelly's 1721 quotation, the phrase is often a direct response to a challenge or taunt. It's a statement of defiance, used to counter someone else's doubt and to assert one's own courage and capability in a social context.
Rhetorical Devices
Personification
The abstract concept of 'Dare' (risk, fear, or a challenge) is treated as a physical object or person that can be moved, which is the central device that gives the proverb its power.
Imagery
The phrase uses the strong visual of shutting a door on something to represent the mental act of overcoming fear. This makes the abstract concept concrete and the solution feel decisive and achievable.
Metaphor
The entire expression serves as a metaphor for the process of mastering one's own hesitation through a deliberate act of will.
Transcription
Quotations
Thay wil say dar behind the dore.
*Spoken when People say, we Dare not do such a Thing.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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