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Park sang joon Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
The adjective "what"
This novel is set in a Chinese village before World War One.
Today is the protagonist Wang Lung's wedding day.
His bride-to-be prepared some food for the feast.
"It is poor stuff?it is badly prepared."
But in his heart he was proud of the dishes, for with what meats she had the woman had combined sugar and vinegar and a little wine and soy sauce and she had skilfully brought forth all the force of the meat itself, so that Wang Lung himself had never tasted such dishes upon the tables of his friends.
[The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck]
I think the objective relative pronoun "that" is implied before "she," and that "what" modifies "meats."
If so, I'd like to know what "what" means here.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Today is the protagonist Wang Lung's wedding day.
His bride-to-be prepared some food for the feast.
"It is poor stuff?it is badly prepared."
But in his heart he was proud of the dishes, for with what meats she had the woman had combined sugar and vinegar and a little wine and soy sauce and she had skilfully brought forth all the force of the meat itself, so that Wang Lung himself had never tasted such dishes upon the tables of his friends.
[The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck]
I think the objective relative pronoun "that" is implied before "she," and that "what" modifies "meats."
If so, I'd like to know what "what" means here.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Top answer
park sang joon But in his heart he was proud of the dishes, for with what meats she had the woman had combined sugar and vinegar and a little wine and soy sauce and she had skilfully (made a meal) for = because what = whatever; the (little/small/limited) amount with = using Rearranging it, we get: park sang joon But in his heart he was proud of the dishes, because the woman had combined sugar and vinegar and a little wine and soy sauce and she had skilfully (made a meal ) using the little amount of meats that she had. park sang joon I think the objective relative pronoun "that" is implied before "she," That's right. " Yes.
- park sang joon But in his heart he was proud of the dishes, for with what meats she had the woman had combined sugar and vinegar and a little wine and soy sauce and she had skilfully (made a meal) for = because what = whatever; the (little/small/limited) amount with = using Rearranging it, we get: park sang joon But in his heart he was proud of the dishes, because the woman had combined sugar and vinegar and a little wine and soy sauce and she had skilfully (made a meal ) using the little amount of meats that she had.
- park sang joon I think the objective relative pronoun "that" is implied before "she," That's right.
- " Yes.
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2 Answers
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park sang joonBut in his heart he was proud of the dishes, for with what meats she had the woman had combined sugar and vinegar and a little wine
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park sang joonI think the objective relative pronoun "that" is implied before "she," and that "what" modifies "meats."Yes.
park sang joonIf so, I'd like to know what "what" means here.which
The phrase, however, carries a greater meaning:
with what meats she had = with the poor or litt
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