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Park sang joon Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

The analyses of a text #2

The narrator recalls his adolescence.
He encountered an old friend, at child, elder by several years in the hotel he stays at.

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"You'll take a high degree at college, Steerforth," said I, "if you have not done already, and they will have good reason to be proud of you."
"I take a degree!" cried Steerforth. "Not I! my dear Daisy?will you mind my calling you Daisy?"
"Not at all!" said I.
"That's a good fellow! My dear Daisy," said Steerforth, laughing, "I have not the least desire or intention to distinguish myself in that way. I have done quite sufficient for my purpose. I find that I am heavy company enough for myself as I am."
"But the fame??" I was beginning.
"You romantic Daisy!" said Steerforth, laughing still more heartily, "why should I trouble myself, that a parcel of heavy-headed fellows may gape and hold up their hands? Let them do it at some other man. There's fame for him, and he's welcome to it."

[David Copperfield by Charles Dickens]
1. I'd like to know if what difference between "I take a degree!" and "Do I take a degree!." in the meaning.
2. I'd like to know why a noun is omitted after "sufficient."
3. I'd like to know what "heavy company" means.
4. And I'd like to know "that" is a determiner of "parcel."
Thank you in advance for your help.
  

Top answer

1. "I take a degree" is an exclamation. Meaning: Why would I want to take a degree?

  • 1.
  • "I take a degree" is an exclamation.
  • Meaning: Why would I want to take a degree?
  • " I, take a degree--are you crazy?
  • " Makes it a question that requires an answer.
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4 Answers
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1. "I take a degree" is an exclamation. Meaning: Why would I want to take a degree? Today we might put a comma after the "I." I, take a degree--are you crazy?
"Do I take a degree?" Makes it a question that requires an answer. No, I am not taking a degree.

2. The "noun" is understood. Also, there is no one noun that would cover the meaning. "I have done quite sufficient (to disti
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Thank you, DoctD, for your so very kind answer. Emotion: smile

1, "Do I take a degree?" Makes it a question that requires an answe
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Yes, you could probably substitute that phrase.
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Yes, you could also word it
"Do I take a degree!" (with either a question mark or an exclamation mark, depending on style) since he answers in the next sentence "Not I!"

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