Honore
Junior Member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2005
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Turkish
- Home Country
- Turkey
- Current Location
- Turkey
"If the requirements of the Christian doctrine seem strange and even alarming to the than of the social theory of life, no less strange, incomprehensible, and alarming to the savage of ancient times seemed the requirements of the social doctrine when it was not fully understood and could not be foreseen in its results." - Leo Tolstoy
Leo Tolstoy - The Kingdom of God is Within You - Chapter V
Dear Teacher,
For the sentence given above, I appreciate if you please let me understand:
1. Structure: is it inverted and is it possible to rewrite as:
If the requirements of the Christian doctrine seem strange and even alarming to the than of the social theory of life, the requirements of the social doctrine seemed no less strange, incomprehensible, and alarming to the savage of ancient times when it was not fully understood and could not be foreseen in its results.
Does the word "it" stand for "the requirements of the social doctrine"?
2. The phrase "than of": what does it mean?
3. Tense harmony: Why is the first if-clause in present tense, while the rest in past?
Thanks and regards.
Leo Tolstoy - The Kingdom of God is Within You - Chapter V
Dear Teacher,
For the sentence given above, I appreciate if you please let me understand:
1. Structure: is it inverted and is it possible to rewrite as:
If the requirements of the Christian doctrine seem strange and even alarming to the than of the social theory of life, the requirements of the social doctrine seemed no less strange, incomprehensible, and alarming to the savage of ancient times when it was not fully understood and could not be foreseen in its results.
Does the word "it" stand for "the requirements of the social doctrine"?
2. The phrase "than of": what does it mean?
3. Tense harmony: Why is the first if-clause in present tense, while the rest in past?
Thanks and regards.