subtly and tentatively

[flowersa]

Hi, I don't understand "subtly" in this context

Is "Tentatively" means temporarily?

"He started speaking about an “empathy deficit” crippling the country,
about the severity of the problems that America faced and the epic failure to confront them.
Slowly, subtly, tentatively, Obama seemed to be trying on the mantle of a
national leader."

[BobSmith]

I'm starting to think this is a homework assignment. Is it?

[TheParser]

Slowly, subtly, tentatively, Obama seemed to be trying on the mantle of a
national leader."

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


(1) It is only my opinion that it means something like:

He is trying on the mantle of a national leader in three ways:

(a) progressing very slowly.

(b) doing so in a way that may not be recognized at first ("subtly").

(c) doing so in a less-than-decisive way. He might think about doing something

and then decide not to (if too many oppose it).

(2) Maybe (maybe!) we can see this in his attitude toward gay marriage.

(a) He said in his election bid that he opposes gay marriage.

(b) He has recently said that his views are evolving. That is, his ideas are

changing. ("tentatively"). Many people expect him to support gay marriage after he is

reelected. In English, there is the term "to take baby steps." That is, to advance

very slowly. Sometimes we progress by one step forward and two steps backwards.

(c) An example of "subtly" (that is, showing support for gay marriage in a way that is

not apparent at first) might lie these actions:

(i) He appointed two judges (both women) to the Supreme Court. (The Supreme Court

may one day rule on this matter.)

(ii) He let gay people serve openly in the armed forces. (This shows an "open-minded"

attitude that MAY eventually lead to his supporting gay marriage.)

(iii) He has appointed openly gay people to various government positions.

P.S. In English, there is the saying "to read between the lines." So maybe one should

not pay so much attention to what a leader says than to what he actually (and

quietly) does.

Slowly - Subtly - Tentatively

[flowersa]

I'm starting to think this is a homework assignment. Is it?

Not at all thanks god here I enjoy with it, I'm reading a wonderful book Bob, and from there I'm looking for things that I don't understand, its name is Game Change :)