The moment Richard gains some power from the use of words, his mother takes it back by exerting that power herself, taking that power away from him.
理查用唇齿周旋,母亲以彼之道,还施彼身。
1945年后的美国小说课程节选 : 耶鲁公开课
“以彼之道,还施彼身”本身的意思是你怎么对付我,我就用同样的方法对付你。多用于军事政治方面。意通:以其人之道还治其人之身