Search from various English teachers...
Pip
one confusing sentence from great expectations by Charles Dickens
The resolution ends in "which." [period]
'for “having been betrayed into a warmth which.”'
Does
"which"
automatically mean
"and so on and so forth"
without continuation
or is it did the author shorten the quotation?
[Pip and Drummle are close to fighting over Estella]
However, it was decided at last (the Grove being a Court of Honor)that if Mr. Drummle would bring never so slight a certificate from the
lady, importing that he had the honor of her acquaintance, Mr. Pip st express his regret, as a gentleman and a Finch, for “having been
betrayed into a warmth which.” Next day was appointed for the
production (lest our honor should take cold from delay), and next day
Drummle appeared with a polite little avowal in Estella’s hand, that she had had the honor of dancing with him several times. This left me no course but to regret that I had been “betrayed into a warmth which,” and on the whole to repudiate, as untenable, the idea that I as to be found anywhere.
Jan 7, 2014 7:47 PM
Answers · 1
Tricky. First, it's archaic language and second, it is meant to be exceedingly proper. So you would conclude from the context that the gentlemen having this discussion have simply not mentioned what came after "which" (that it lead almost to a showdown).
You would not ever, ever use this construction in speech or writing unless you were trying to create the same effect.
January 7, 2014
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Pip
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English
Learning Language
English
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