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Park sang joon Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
The analyses of a text #3
The narrator recalls his adolescence.
He came to his old nurse Peggotty's hometown Yarmouth to meet Peggotty's nephew Ham.
He was looking at a wreck on the shore when he found Ham run to the shore.
I held him back with both arms; and implored the men with whom I had been speaking, not to listen to him, not to do murder, not to let him stir from off that sand!
Another cry arose on shore; and looking to the wreck, we saw the cruel sail, with blow on blow, beat off the lower of the two men, and fly up in triumph round the active figure left alone upon the mast.
Against such a sight, and against such determination as that of the calmly desperate man who was already accustomed to lead half the people present, I might as hopefully have entreated the wind. 'Mas'r Davy,' he said, cheerily grasping me by both hands, 'if my time is come, 'tis come. If 'tan't, I'll bide it. Lord above bless you, and bless all! Mates, make me ready! I'm a-going off!'
I was swept away, but not unkindly, to some distance, where the people around me made me stay; urging, as I confusedly perceived, that he was bent on going, with help or without, and that I should endanger the precautions for his safety by troubling those with whom they rested. I don't know what I answered, or what they rejoined; but I saw hurry on the beach, and men running with ropes from a capstan that was there, and penetrating into a circle of figures that hid him from me. Then, I saw him standing alone, in a seaman's frock and trousers: a rope in his hand, or slung to his wrist: another round his body: and several of the best men holding, at a little distance, to the latter, which he laid out himself, slack upon the shore, at his feet.
[David Copperfield by Charles Dickens]
1. I'd like to know why it is "might as hopefully," not "might as well."
2. I'd like to know what "urging" means here.
3. I'd like to know if "as" means "in such a way."
4. And I'd like to know what "rested with somebody" means.
Thank you in advance for your help.
He came to his old nurse Peggotty's hometown Yarmouth to meet Peggotty's nephew Ham.
He was looking at a wreck on the shore when he found Ham run to the shore.
Chapter 55 TEMPEST
.................................I held him back with both arms; and implored the men with whom I had been speaking, not to listen to him, not to do murder, not to let him stir from off that sand!
Another cry arose on shore; and looking to the wreck, we saw the cruel sail, with blow on blow, beat off the lower of the two men, and fly up in triumph round the active figure left alone upon the mast.
Against such a sight, and against such determination as that of the calmly desperate man who was already accustomed to lead half the people present, I might as hopefully have entreated the wind. 'Mas'r Davy,' he said, cheerily grasping me by both hands, 'if my time is come, 'tis come. If 'tan't, I'll bide it. Lord above bless you, and bless all! Mates, make me ready! I'm a-going off!'
I was swept away, but not unkindly, to some distance, where the people around me made me stay; urging, as I confusedly perceived, that he was bent on going, with help or without, and that I should endanger the precautions for his safety by troubling those with whom they rested. I don't know what I answered, or what they rejoined; but I saw hurry on the beach, and men running with ropes from a capstan that was there, and penetrating into a circle of figures that hid him from me. Then, I saw him standing alone, in a seaman's frock and trousers: a rope in his hand, or slung to his wrist: another round his body: and several of the best men holding, at a little distance, to the latter, which he laid out himself, slack upon the shore, at his feet.
[David Copperfield by Charles Dickens]
1. I'd like to know why it is "might as hopefully," not "might as well."
2. I'd like to know what "urging" means here.
3. I'd like to know if "as" means "in such a way."
4. And I'd like to know what "rested with somebody" means.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Top answer
park sang joon 1. " Partially to introduce variety into the language. The meaning is about the same, although "hopefully" makes it more specific to the situation described.
- park sang joon 1.
- " Partially to introduce variety into the language.
- The meaning is about the same, although "hopefully" makes it more specific to the situation described.
- park sang joon 2.
- I'd like to know what "urging" means here.
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3 Answers
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park sang joon1. I'd like to know why it is "might as hopefully," not "might as well."Partially to introduce variety into the language. The meaning is about the same, although "hopefully" makes it more specific to the situation described.
park sang joon2. I'd like to know what "urging" means here.I take it as "insisting".
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Thank you, CalifJim, for yet another So very helpful answer from you. 
1. Then, I was wondering if I can say the likes of "
1. Then, I was wondering if I can say the likes of "
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park sang joonI was wondering if I can say the likes of "might as hopefully."You certainly can, but it will sound very literary if you use it in an ordinary, everyday conversation.
CJ
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