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Aquel instante suponía la temeridad pegada al pecho, aún donde ya no había pecho

12:28 Jul 16, 2019
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / novel
Spanish term or phrase: Aquel instante suponía la temeridad pegada al pecho, aún donde ya no había pecho
Hola a todos,

I'm trying to figure out the meaning of this. I know that pecho can sometimes mean "courage" in ENG, like the phrase !pecho al agua!, so it has something to do with courage coming from within her.

Here is some context:

Manola sabía que tarde o temprano el pasado sobrevendría. Pero el valor aún vivía en ella, a pesar del tiempo transcurrido. Sólo necesitaba unos minutos para recoger todos los pensamientos esparcidos por su cerebro. Ahora al aire libre. Encerrados a cal y canto en su pecho... Aquel instante suponía la temeridad pegada al pecho, aún donde ya no había pecho. La enagua que la chica llevaba, y que su hija leía perfectamente sobre aquel delgado y pecoso cuerpo, no era otra que la combinación de su boda. La misma que tantas veces, Martina, pidiera a su cuñada Manola para hacer cucamonas delante del espejo. La había amado como a una hermana, tanto, como sólo se quiere a aquello que se sabe se perderá pronto. Porque no es de ningún sitio preciso. Ni de este mundo siquiera. La chica del quicio, con su brazo y abrazo invisible, su enagua antigua y prestada, sus pecas diseminadas por todo el cuerpo... volvía del ayer. Del siempre. Para darle el último aviso-mensaje-recuerdo-despedida. Manola lo sabía. Las circunstancias se aprovechan de nuestras debilidades.
Emily Staunton (X)
Ireland
Local time: 16:34


Summary of answers provided
3And just then a sense of fearlessness pressed against her chest, or where her chest once was.
Martin Cosgrove (X)
2That moment she assumed there was boldness in her chest (heart), when she didn't have a chest no mor
Mina Fayek


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


2 days 14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
That moment she assumed there was boldness in her chest (heart), when she didn't have a chest no mor


Explanation:
I also think it has to do with courage. Given the rest of the context you made clear, I can only think of two semantic options: either that she assumed that she was brave enough even though she was not; or (also given her mentioned physical characteristics, and a bit of a play on words) that she thought that there was boldness in her chest (heart), when she didn't have a physically (big) chest (as a woman), but then the "no more" meaning of "ya no" would confuse me, so maybe that would make more sense to you since you supposedly know the full story.

Example sentence(s):
  • <b> Heart</b>: Tomarse algo a pecho. -- To take something to heart.
  • <b>Breast/Chest</b>: Un sujetador que realza el pecho. -- A bra which makes your bust look bigger.

    https://www.spanishdict.com/translate/pecho
Mina Fayek
Local time: 17:34
Native speaker of: Arabic
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193 days   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
And just then a sense of fearlessness pressed against her chest, or where her chest once was.


Explanation:
ALTERNATIVE: And in that moment...

Has the character had a mastectomy? Or is this a more metaphysical or metaphorical meaning?

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Note added at 193 days (2020-01-26 07:20:46 GMT)
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depending on context, substitute chest for heart.

Martin Cosgrove (X)
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:34
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
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