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fw · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 361

I don�t understand the nuance of �The time escapes me!� in the last paragraph below. Could you paraphrase for me?

The Papalagi are never happy with their time, and they complain that they have not been given more of it. They divide their day as one would divide a coconut into small squares. All parts have their name: second, minute, hour. I cannot understand this, because it makes me dizzy to think about such foolish matters. The men, the women, and even children who can hardly stand on their own legs, carry a small, flat, round machine from which they can read the time.

There are large and heavy time machines, which stand inside the huts or hang from the highest roofs, so that they can be seen from far off. When part of the time is gone, the machine screams and its spirit strikes against the iron in its heart. Yes, there is a great noise in a European town.

When this time noise happens, the Papalagi complain: �The time escapes me!� Then, they make a sad face, even though a new hour has just arrived. I have never understood this, but I think that it may be a sickness.

fw

ClarissaMach · Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 4:36 am Post subject:

Well, from my point of view, the entire text talks about the fact that "Papalagis" are too concerned about time as it goes by. It reminds me of that crazy rabbit of "Alice in Wonderland", carrying his round clock and always late....

When the Papalagi says "The time escapes me!", he's probably once more complaining about the fact that the time has passed and he wasn't able to do everything he wanted in time.

Hope I was clear, sorry for any English mistakes....

fw · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 361

Thanks, ClarissaMach, for your prompt reply.

Let me make sure.

Is this expression one of what grammarians call �instantaneous use� of the simple present tense, eg. �Here comes the train! � and �Up we go!�?

fw

ClarissaMach · Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 6:38 am Post subject:

I think so. It seems that every time the Papalagi hears that same sound, he'll say "Time escapes me!". He could also have said "Time has escaped me", I guess, but I think "Time escapes me" does it fine.

By the way, I searched through the internet for the Papalagi story and I found it very interesting!