[Grammar] a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person

[kadioguy]

If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life.… [Gatsby had] an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person and which it is not likely I shall ever find again.

https://www.enotes.com/topics/great-gatsby/quotes
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I don't understand the use of "such as" here. What do you think?

 

[GoesStation]

The narrator had never found similar romantic readiness in any other person.

 

[kadioguy]

The narrator had never found similar romantic readiness in any other person.

Thank you, GoesStation.

What is confusing is the use of "such as". It seems that this use is unusual.

In the usual way we would say something like:

Questions such as the one you've asked are difficult to answer.

Cartoon characters such as Mickey Mouse and Snoopy are still popular.

As you can see, a noun (or nouns) is followed by such as. However, in the original sentence the writer didn't use the phrase this way, and the "as" is being used like "which" (refers to a romantic readiness).

That's interesting (and confusing). :roll:

 

[GoesStation]

You've encountered another use of a phrase in your reading. This is a great example of how learners benefit from the practice. Congratulations!

 

[kadioguy]

You've encountered another use of a phrase in your reading. This is a great example of how learners benefit from the practice. Congratulations!

I wonder why "a", rather than "the", is used. The phrase "such as" have been mentioned before, haven't it?

 

[GoesStation]

I wonder why "a", rather than "the", is used. The phrase "such as" have been mentioned before, haven't it?

I was thinking of phrases in general. I'd have used the definite article if I'd been thinking of the phrase such as.

 

[kadioguy]

I wonder why "a", rather than "the", is used. The phrase "such as" have been mentioned before, haven't it?

I made a mistake. It should be "has".

PS -
a. It should be "has".
b. It should have been "has".

Which one should I use?

 

[GoesStation]

I made a mistake. It should be "has".

PS -
a. It should be "has".
b. It should have been "has".

Which one should I use?

They both work in this context. It should be "has": You're stating a truth. The correct word is and will always be "has". It should have been "has" tells us the correct word at the time you wrote the sentence.