Why "was" not "am"?

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Mike Rose

#21890 Mon, 09 Feb 04 03:22 PM

I have difficulty understanding the last sentence.

Assume that the white man is inclined to do something which his heart desires: he might want to go into the sunshine, or take his canoe down the river --- most of the time, he will spoil his desire by clinging to the thought: "I was not given time be merry."

Why is the last sentence in the past tense, not in the present tense? I think if the sentense were "I'm not given time to be merry" it would make more sense because then it would mean "I'm too busy to enjoy it."

What do you think?

Mike Rose

Joined on Tue, Jan 27 2004

New Member (04)

rommie

#21896 Mon, 09 Feb 04 04:29 PM

Okay - think this through. Is time something you HAVE, or is it something you are GIVEN?

Usually it is something that you HAVE, but there are circumstances in which you could argue that it is GIVEN - say, if your employer defines the timetable for a project.

If it was GIVEN to you, then it was given in the PAST. You HAVE the time in the present, but it was GIVEN to you in the past.

Rommie

rommie

Joined on Mon, Jan 26 2004

Earth orbit

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Kamo Shushoku

#21945 Tue, 10 Feb 04 03:55 AM

Thank you. I'm beginning to understand, I think.

But then who gave me the time to be merry in the past?

Kamo

Kamo Shushoku

Joined on Wed, Nov 19 2003

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Clive Woodward

#21949 Tue, 10 Feb 04 09:06 AM

Good question Kamo, and who or what is giving us the time to read and consider this now?
I wonder whether he/she/it will give me the sensitivity to enjoy what I am enjoying now further?

Clive Woodward

Joined on Mon, Nov 17 2003

Veteran Member (239)

Never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by stupidity Party!!! [<:o)]