EverLy Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Meaning?
Hello,
I think I just found a profitable discussion board for my education... Although I'm newbie here, but I need to find out the meanings of some sentences from different books (I'm talking about the ones that look odd and difficult [to understand] in some ways)
Pride and Prejudice: Chapter 29
1. "Compared with some families, I believe we were; but such of us as wished to learn never wanted the means. We were always encouraged to read, and had all the masters that were necessary.
[Please give me the explanation of underlined sentences]
2. "Four nieces of Mrs. Jenkinson are most delightfully situated through my means. It is wonderful have many families I have been the means of supplying in that way. [Specifically I want to know this one]
I think I just found a profitable discussion board for my education... Although I'm newbie here, but I need to find out the meanings of some sentences from different books (I'm talking about the ones that look odd and difficult [to understand] in some ways)
Pride and Prejudice: Chapter 29
1. "Compared with some families, I believe we were; but such of us as wished to learn never wanted the means. We were always encouraged to read, and had all the masters that were necessary.
[Please give me the explanation of underlined sentences]
2. "Four nieces of Mrs. Jenkinson are most delightfully situated through my means. It is wonderful have many families I have been the means of supplying in that way. [Specifically I want to know this one]
Top answer
1) The ones who wished to learn never lacked the means; if you wanted to learn, you had the means. 'Wanted' is used in its meaning of "lacked" here. 2) Here, 'means' is "money" or "financial resources".
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1) The ones who wished to learn never lacked the means; if you wanted to learn, you had the means. 'Wanted' is used in its meaning of "lacked" here.
2) Here, 'means' is "money" or "financial resources". The one saying this was paying for the living expenses of the four nieces.
2) Here, 'means' is "money" or "financial resources". The one saying this was paying for the living expenses of the four nieces.
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In #2, I believe that Lady Catherine de Bourgh is saying that she found "situations" -- domestic jobs (as maids or governesses or something like that) for the four neices, not that she is personally supporting them.
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