Park sang joon Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
The analyses of a text #2
The narrator recalls his adolescence.
He is an apprentice for the lawyer Mr. Spenlow.
He is crazy for Mr. Spenlow's only daughter Dora.
He was invited to Dora's birthday picnic by Mr. Spenlow.
After the picnic, they are coming to Mr. Spenlow's house, with he on a horse and the others in a carriage.
Miss Mill is Dora's best friend.
.................................
That sagacious Miss Mills, too, that amiable, though quite used up, recluse, that little patriarch of something less than twenty, who had done with the world, and mustn't on any account have the slumbering echoes in the caverns of Memory awakened, what a kind thing she did!
"Mr. Copperfield," said Miss Mills, "come to this side of the carriage a moment - if you can spare a moment. I want to speak to you."
Behold me, on my gallant grey, bending at the side of Miss Mills, with my hand upon the carriage door!
"Dora is coming to stay with me. She is coming home with me the day after tomorrow. If you would like to call, I am sure papa would be happy to see you."
[David Copperfield by Charles Dickens]
1. I'd like to know if "that amiable" modifies "recluse."
2. I'd like to know what "patriarch of something less than twenty" means.
3. I'd like to know what "do with the world" means.
3. And I'd like to know what "have the slumbering echoes." means.
Thank you in advance for your help.
He is an apprentice for the lawyer Mr. Spenlow.
He is crazy for Mr. Spenlow's only daughter Dora.
He was invited to Dora's birthday picnic by Mr. Spenlow.
After the picnic, they are coming to Mr. Spenlow's house, with he on a horse and the others in a carriage.
Miss Mill is Dora's best friend.
.................................
That sagacious Miss Mills, too, that amiable, though quite used up, recluse, that little patriarch of something less than twenty, who had done with the world, and mustn't on any account have the slumbering echoes in the caverns of Memory awakened, what a kind thing she did!
"Mr. Copperfield," said Miss Mills, "come to this side of the carriage a moment - if you can spare a moment. I want to speak to you."
Behold me, on my gallant grey, bending at the side of Miss Mills, with my hand upon the carriage door!
"Dora is coming to stay with me. She is coming home with me the day after tomorrow. If you would like to call, I am sure papa would be happy to see you."
[David Copperfield by Charles Dickens]
1. I'd like to know if "that amiable" modifies "recluse."
2. I'd like to know what "patriarch of something less than twenty" means.
3. I'd like to know what "do with the world" means.
3. And I'd like to know what "have the slumbering echoes." means.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Top answer
1. Yes. ".
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1. Yes. Here the narrator says: "That sagacious [spinster] Miss Mills, too [was in the carriage], that amiable...recluse...".
2. Miss Mills has taken it upon herself to be Dora's guardian and guide in the world, a "little patriarch of something less than twenty [Dora is less than 20]."
3. Mills has given up trying to find a husband and living a conventional life, that is, sh
2. Miss Mills has taken it upon herself to be Dora's guardian and guide in the world, a "little patriarch of something less than twenty [Dora is less than 20]."
3. Mills has given up trying to find a husband and living a conventional life, that is, sh
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1. Yes, "amiable" modifies "recluse."
2. A "Patriarch" is usually a dignified older man, often the head of a family or a church dignitary. So Dickens is being humorous when he describes her as being a "patriarch of something less than twenty." The "twenty" refers to her age (20 years) and no "patriarch" would be that young.
3. Someone who is "done with the world" refers
2. A "Patriarch" is usually a dignified older man, often the head of a family or a church dignitary. So Dickens is being humorous when he describes her as being a "patriarch of something less than twenty." The "twenty" refers to her age (20 years) and no "patriarch" would be that young.
3. Someone who is "done with the world" refers
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Thank you, No Name One and Doctor D, for your so very helpful answer.
"that little patriarch of something less than twenty"
"that little patriarch of something less than twenty"
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No, patriarch is being modified by the phrase following. It is not an apposition.
If it were an apposition, it would look more like
A patriarch, something of wondrous age, is Miss Mills.
If it were an apposition, it would look more like
A patriarch, something of wondrous age, is Miss Mills.
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Thank you, Doctor D, for your continuing support.
I think we indicates two nouns being to apposition with either a comma or "of
I think we indicates two nouns being to apposition with either a comma or "of
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Yes "something" is part of his reference to how old Miss Mills is. She is "something less than twenty" meaning she is not yet 20 years old.
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park sang joonI was wondering if "something" refers to an age.There is a little disagreement in this thread about what "something" refers to. Either "patriarch of something less than 20" is "protector of Dora, who was less than 20 years old" or
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