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Park sang joon Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

[Be] that way then

The protagonist is a prince from Amber, the world different from the Earth. He has amnesia, hiding the fact and now staying at the house of one, Flora, of his sisters.
She just returned from going out.

I lit a cigarette and handed it to her.
She nodded, then said, "The Road to Amber?is difficult."
"Why?"
She gave me a very puzzled look.
"When is the last time you tried it?"
I Shrugged.
"I don't remember."
"Be that way then," she said.
[Nine Princes in Amber" of The Great Book of Amber by Roger Zelazny]
I'd like to know whether "be" means "try/ go."
Thank you in advance for your help.
  

Top answer

No. It means 'behave'.

— Fivejedjon

  • No.
  • It means 'behave'.
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7 Answers
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No. It means 'behave'.
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It's an imperative statement.
e.g.,
Don't worry; be happy. Emotion: smile

Edit: cross-posted with fivejedjon.
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Thank you, fivejedjon and teechr for your so kind answer.Emotion: smile
Then I was wondering if "Be that way then" means "Be in that way then.
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park sang joonThen I was wondering if "Be that way then" means "Be in that way then."
No. What makes you think that you need "in" in that sentence?
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Thank you, teechr, for your quick reply. Emotion: smile
Fivejedjon said "be" meant "behave."
So I thought "way" means "method," not "road.
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A: I Shrugged, "I don't remember."
B: Be that way then!

B is showing annoyance with A's behaviour.
B is saying: "Fine, Be/behave that way. I don't care!"

It has nothing to do with "road."
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It is possible to say 'Behave in that way' (= Behave like that, behave in that manner'), but it is not possible to say 'Be in that way'.
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