Wu Ting
How would you interpret this phrase “on the serious side”? Disdaining any oratorical fireworks, McCarthy’s talk was of an intimate, homey nature, punctuated at times with humor. But on the serious side, he launched many barbs at the present setup of the State Department, at President Truman’s reluctance to press investigation of “traitors from within,” and other pertinent matters…. However, he added: “The morals of our people have not been destroyed. They still exist and this cloak of numbness and apathy needs only a spark to rekindle them.” How would you interpret this phrase “on the serious side” in the second sentence? Thanks. And this excerpt is taken from The Lacuna by Kingsolver.
Jul 7, 2015 6:24 AM
Answers · 2
1
In the first sentence, it's describing McCarthy as a more humorous person who's lighter, and then it shifts from light to serious with the phrase, "on the serious side," which introduces the more serious aspects of McCarthy.
July 7, 2015
"Side" means "aspect" or "viewpoint," as in "let's look at all sides of the question." "Facet" can have the same meaning. As an example of use, one could say: "McCarthy had a multifaceted persona. He had a folksy side and a serious side. When he was showing his folksy side he seemed harmless, but when he showed his serious side he became menacing."
July 7, 2015
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