0
Wholegrain Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
Can someone decipher this? (difficult)
http://www.online-literature.com/melville/confidence-man/13
The Confidence Man
The above anecdote is given just here by way of an anticipative reminder to such readers as, from the kind of jaunty levity, or what may have passed for such, hitherto for the most part appearing in the man with the traveling-cap, may have been tempted into a more or less hasty estimate of him; that such readers, when they find the same person, as they presently will, capable of philosophic and humanitarian discourse--no mere casual sentence or two as heretofore at times, but solidly sustained throughout an almost entire sitting; that they may not, like the American savan, be thereupon betrayed into any surprise incompatible with their own good opinion of their previous penetration.
Did he mean: ...to such readers as those who may have been tempted...from...; in order that they won't be surprised like the American savan...?
The Confidence Man
The above anecdote is given just here by way of an anticipative reminder to such readers as, from the kind of jaunty levity, or what may have passed for such, hitherto for the most part appearing in the man with the traveling-cap, may have been tempted into a more or less hasty estimate of him; that such readers, when they find the same person, as they presently will, capable of philosophic and humanitarian discourse--no mere casual sentence or two as heretofore at times, but solidly sustained throughout an almost entire sitting; that they may not, like the American savan, be thereupon betrayed into any surprise incompatible with their own good opinion of their previous penetration.
Did he mean: ...to such readers as those who may have been tempted...from...; in order that they won't be surprised like the American savan...?
Top answer
Oof, Herman! A reminder to those readers who may be tempted into a hasty judgement of the man with the travelling cap, who then may find that he is capable of philosophic or humanitarian discourse, that they may be surprised by what they find.
- Oof, Herman!
- A reminder to those readers who may be tempted into a hasty judgement of the man with the travelling cap, who then may find that he is capable of philosophic or humanitarian discourse, that they may be surprised by what they find.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
6 Answers
0
Oof, Herman!
A reminder to those readers who may be tempted into a hasty judgement of the man with the travelling cap, who then may find that he is capable of philosophic or humanitarian discourse, that they may be surprised by what they find.
A reminder to those readers who may be tempted into a hasty judgement of the man with the travelling cap, who then may find that he is capable of philosophic or humanitarian discourse, that they may be surprised by what they find.
00
Are you sure?
I don't understand the two "that": what signification they are supposed to convey.
I don't understand the two "that": what signification they are supposed to convey.
00
I've never read any of Herman Melville's literary works, and if the above quote is in any way typical of his literary style, then I am sure I never want to.
Believe me, most native English-speakers (and I am one) would struggle with the turgidity of such prose.
I would advise any learners of English not to waste too much time attempting to decipher such language (unless, of cour
Believe me, most native English-speakers (and I am one) would struggle with the turgidity of such prose.
I would advise any learners of English not to waste too much time attempting to decipher such language (unless, of cour
00
The two "that" and the "such readers as may have been..." sound really awkward to me: of course, I am not a native English so I thought it was more advisable to ask.
But seriously I like cryptic crosswords, at least better than reading novels for the fun of reading about something.
But seriously I like cryptic crosswords, at least better than reading novels for the fun of reading about something.
00
wholegrainI don't understand the two "that": what signification they are supposed to convey."Oof, Herman!" is about right.
I think it could be written as:
The above anecdote is ... [given here as a reminder ] ... to such readers as ... may have been tempted into a more or less hasty estimate of him; [in order]that such readers, when they
00
Related Questions