0
Mariott Posted 15 years ago
Essay & Composition Writing

Hyphen

The self is merely a locus in which the dance of the universe is aware of itself as complete from beginning to end—and returning to the void. Gladly. Praising, giving thanks, with all beings.

-Thomas Mertron

In the first sentence, can I understand it without the hyphen(beginning to end, and returning to the void)? Does this hyphen have a role here?

And can I understand 'Praising, giving thanks' as a imperative sentence?

Thanks in advance!
  

Top answer

The 'hyphen' (though you have obscured it) is most likely an m-dash, used to announce an additional (and perhaps surprising) piece of information: I just got married – to your sister! 'Praising', etc cannot be imperative, since it is just an -ing verb form. Should there really be a period after 'Gladly'?

— Mister Micawber

  • The 'hyphen' (though you have obscured it) is most likely an m-dash, used to announce an additional (and perhaps surprising) piece of information: I just got married – to your sister!
  • 'Praising', etc cannot be imperative, since it is just an -ing verb form.
  • Should there really be a period after 'Gladly'?
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
The 'hyphen' (though you have obscured it) is most likely an m-dash, used to announce an additional (and perhaps surprising) piece of information: I just got married – to your sister!

'Praising', etc cannot be imperative, since it is just an -ing verb form. Should there really be a period after 'Gladly'?
0
0
Thanks Mister Micawber. Yest there is a period after 'Gladly.'

And I'm confused because 'Praising, giving...' has no subject.
0
0
Then Merton is taking literary license to add modifiers in an emphatic way by forming 'complete' sentences of them. A more standard, modern punctuation would be this:

The self is merely a locus in which the dance of the universe is aware of itself as complete from beginning to end— and returning to the void gladly, praising and giving thanks with all beings.
0
0
Aha. It's a great relief to know this.

Thanks a lot Mister Micawber!!!
0

Related Questions