Comments on: The Consternation of Henry Adams, Pt. 1 http://dangerousintersection.org/2007/12/02/the-consternation-of-henry-adams/ Human Animals at the Crossroads of Culture, Science, Religion and Media Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:14:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Phil http://dangerousintersection.org/2007/12/02/the-consternation-of-henry-adams/#comment-15178 Phil Wed, 05 Dec 2007 02:13:13 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=1863#comment-15178 Vicki, I think you're right--what I meant was that the title positions him as a subject, and his use of third-person carries the "passive voice" (maybe not the right term) throughout. I am looking forward to reading more in the book about the transformation from an agrarian to an industrial society. The next chapter I will read is called "Treason." But yes, he positions himself as an object, but the feelings conveyed are very personal. It's an interesting book! Which recent president or political figure was it who used to refer to himself in the third person? That's going to bother me until I can remember it--maybe Bush I? Vicki, I think you’re right–what I meant was that the title positions him as a subject, and his use of third-person carries the “passive voice” (maybe not the right term) throughout. I am looking forward to reading more in the book about the transformation from an agrarian to an industrial society. The next chapter I will read is called “Treason.” But yes, he positions himself as an object, but the feelings conveyed are very personal. It’s an interesting book! Which recent president or political figure was it who used to refer to himself in the third person? That’s going to bother me until I can remember it–maybe Bush I?

]]> By: Vicki Baker http://dangerousintersection.org/2007/12/02/the-consternation-of-henry-adams/#comment-15175 Vicki Baker Wed, 05 Dec 2007 01:26:49 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=1863#comment-15175 Welcome Phil! I will have to dust off my copy of the book. I'm curious about one thing though. You say: "Adams places himself in the passive voice" What do you mean by this? Just looking through the first chapter and the direct quotes you gave, there are lots of examples of active voice, other than "he was born... he was christened" which is what you might expect. By passive voice, do you mean that Henry Adams is the object rather than the subject in the title? I think that is all part of claim that he is striving for an objective account of his education. About people who refer to themselves in the 3rd person. My daughter has been taking dance for several years with a teacher who is a bit... flamboyant. He constantly refers to himself in the 3rd person, as in: "Mr. B. wants to see your jazz hands!" "Mr. B. likes to see your smiles!" etc. Finally after 3 or 4 weeks, my daughter asked me, "Who is Mr. B.? Is he ever going to come to our class?" Welcome Phil!

I will have to dust off my copy of the book. I’m curious about one thing though.

You say:

“Adams places himself in the passive voice”

What do you mean by this? Just looking through the first chapter and the direct quotes you gave, there are lots of examples of active voice, other than “he was born… he was christened” which is what you might expect. By passive voice, do you mean that Henry Adams is the object rather than the subject in the title? I think that is all part of claim that he is striving for an objective account of his education.

About people who refer to themselves in the 3rd person. My daughter has been taking dance for several years with a teacher who is a bit… flamboyant. He constantly refers to himself in the 3rd person, as in: “Mr. B. wants to see your jazz hands!” “Mr. B. likes to see your smiles!” etc. Finally after 3 or 4 weeks, my daughter asked me, “Who is Mr. B.? Is he ever going to come to our class?”

]]> By: Phil http://dangerousintersection.org/2007/12/02/the-consternation-of-henry-adams/#comment-15172 Phil Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:09:15 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=1863#comment-15172 I'd call myself 1 and 3! I’d call myself 1 and 3!

]]> By: Ben http://dangerousintersection.org/2007/12/02/the-consternation-of-henry-adams/#comment-15165 Ben Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:29:17 +0000 http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=1863#comment-15165 Welcome Phil! You should fit right in... that is if you are any of the following: (1.) a card-carrying liberal (2.) a godless atheist (3.) someone who does not like commercialized sporting events (4.) if you wear high heels regularly I qualify as 1, 2 and 4, btw. :) Welcome Phil!
You should fit right in… that is if you are any of the following: (1.) a card-carrying liberal (2.) a godless atheist (3.) someone who does not like commercialized sporting events (4.) if you wear high heels regularly

I qualify as 1, 2 and 4, btw. :)

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