The analyses of a convoluted text #3

Question

The narrator recalls his adolescence.He took a long journey, after his young wife died of a disease.He now came to London, and to a inn.Chapter 59 RETURN.................................As I followed the chief waiter with my eyes, I could not help thinking that the garden in which he had gradually blown to be the flower he was, was an arduous place to rise in. It had such a prescriptive, stiff-necked, long-established, solemn, elderly air. I glanced about the room, which had had its sanded floor sanded, no doubt, in exactly the same manner when the chief waiter was a boy - if he ever was a boy, which appeared improbable; and at the shining tables, where I saw myself reflected, in unruffled depths of old mahogany; and at the lamps, without a flaw in their trimming or cleaning; and at the comfortable green curtains, with their pure brass rods, snugly enclosing the boxes; and at the two large coal fires, brightly burning; and at the rows of decanters, burly as if with the consciousness of pipes of expensive old port wine below; and both England, and the law, appeared to me to be very difficult indeed to be taken by storm.[David Copperfield by Charles Dickens]1. I'd like to know what "he had gradually blown to be the flower he was" means.2. I'd like to know if "glanced" is connected with "at."3. I'd like to know what "if he ever was a boy" means.4. And I'd like to know what "both England, and the law" means.Thank you in advance for your help.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

park sang joon1. I'd like to know what "he had gradually blown to be the flower he was" means

I think 'blown' just means 'grown, expanded': the waiter developed his persona in that inn.

park sang joon. I'd like to know if "glanced" is connected with "at."

Yes.

park sang joon3. I'd like to know what "if he ever was a boy" means.

It is humorous. He is so old and stiff that it is hard to imagine that he was ever a boy.

park sang joon4. And I'd like to know what "both England, and the law" means.

Just what it says. The inn is so thoroughly, stolidly British that it could never be overthrown.

Park sang joon · Answer

Thank you, Mr. Micawber, for your so very kind answer.

3. I was wondering if the structure "if someone ever~" can be used conditional 2 or 3 and if "if he ever was a boy" is conditional 1.

Mister Micawber · Answer

park sang joonif "if he ever was a boy" is conditional 1.

I suppose so.

park sang joon. I was wondering if the structure "if someone ever~" can be used conditional 2 or 3

These sound fine to me:

If he had ever been a boy, he was not one now.
If he were a boy once, he was not one now.

The analyses of a convoluted text #3

Chapter 59 RETURN

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