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Park sang joon Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
The analyses of a text #3
The protagonist, Philip, who was born with a club foot, moved in with his uncle Mr. Carey after his mother's death.
He goes to King's School at Tercanbury.
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But though he did everything to alienate the sympathy of other boys he longed with all his heart for the popularity which to some was so easily accorded. These from his distance he admired extravagantly; and though he was inclined to be more sarcastic with them than with others, though he made little jokes at their expense, he would have given anything to change places with them. Indeed he would gladly have changed places with the dullest boy in the school who was whole of limb.
[Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham]
1. I'd like to know what "from his distance" means.
2. I'd like to know what "change place with" means.
3. I'd like to know what "whole of limb" means.
Thank you in advance for your help.
He goes to King's School at Tercanbury.
...........................
But though he did everything to alienate the sympathy of other boys he longed with all his heart for the popularity which to some was so easily accorded. These from his distance he admired extravagantly; and though he was inclined to be more sarcastic with them than with others, though he made little jokes at their expense, he would have given anything to change places with them. Indeed he would gladly have changed places with the dullest boy in the school who was whole of limb.
[Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham]
1. I'd like to know what "from his distance" means.
2. I'd like to know what "change place with" means.
3. I'd like to know what "whole of limb" means.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Top answer
1. It means that he felt apart from those other boys. He was looking at them from a (figurative) "distance".
- 1.
- It means that he felt apart from those other boys.
- He was looking at them from a (figurative) "distance".
- 2.
- He wanted to be in their situation (and, conversely, them to be in his situation, though this is of less importance).
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4 Answers
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1. It means that he felt apart from those other boys. He was looking at them from a (figurative) "distance".
2. He wanted to be in their situation (and, conversely, them to be in his situation, though this is of less importance).
3. Having all limbs intact and not deformed.
2. He wanted to be in their situation (and, conversely, them to be in his situation, though this is of less importance).
3. Having all limbs intact and not deformed.
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Thank you, GPY, for your so very helpful answer. 
3. I think "whole" modifies "limb" and "was of" is a linking verb.
So
3. I think "whole" modifies "limb" and "was of" is a linking verb.
So
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park sang joonSo I was wondering why it is "was whole of limb," not "was of whole limb."This is an idiomatic pattern. It has a literary or poetic feel and is mostly confined to written English. To be honest, I'm not really sure how to explain it grammatically.
Other examples:
he was clear of mind = he had a clear mind
she was quick of ey
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Thank you, GPY, for your so very helpful answer and examples.
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