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Cadzao Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
seem to be what they are not
"The enchantment of Paul Revere, hero and silversmith, has been displaced by Hopalong, and the American architectural tradition of making things seem to be what they are not has found a new expression."
Please explain what the author means with the blue phrase. (what is the subject of "seem"?)
Cadzao
Please explain what the author means with the blue phrase. (what is the subject of "seem"?)
Cadzao
Top answer
Seem is an infinitive ( things is its subject). Making seem is a gerundial, object of the preposition of . are not ) is an adjective postmodifying tradition .
- Seem is an infinitive ( things is its subject).
- Making seem is a gerundial, object of the preposition of .
- are not ) is an adjective postmodifying tradition .
- I really don't know why the author has chosen the adjective architectural , unless it is being used metaphorically, but s/he is commenting on America's tendency to romanticize or idealize its heroes, traditions and practices-- making them seem more perfect than they are in reality-- or perhaps twisting them to suit their ideals.
- g.
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4 Answers
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Seem is an infinitive (things is its subject). Making seem is a gerundial, object of the preposition of. The prepositional phrase (of making...are not) is an adjective postmodifying tradition.
I really don't know why the author has chosen the adjective architectural, unless it is being used metaphorically, but s/he is commenting on Americ
I really don't know why the author has chosen the adjective architectural, unless it is being used metaphorically, but s/he is commenting on Americ
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Thank you, Mister Micawber, for the detailed explanation.
Cadzao
P.S. The reason why the author, Russell Lynes, has chosen the adjective architectural is that the text is taken from his The Tastemakers, which is about architecture and its social significance.
Cadzao
P.S. The reason why the author, Russell Lynes, has chosen the adjective architectural is that the text is taken from his The Tastemakers, which is about architecture and its social significance.
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This should be more compact, but can't guarantee the identity:
"The enchantment of Paul Revere, hero and silversmith, has been displaced by Hopalong, and the American architectural tradition of make believe has found a new expression."
make believe
"The enchantment of Paul Revere, hero and silversmith, has been displaced by Hopalong, and the American architectural tradition of make believe has found a new expression."
make believe
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