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[imchongjun]

Hello, teachers.
I have a question about the last sentence of the following passage from an old novel.
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Westray (=lodger) took a dislike to the dank-looking plants, and to the moisture beaded on the glass inside, and made up his mind that the ferns must be banished (that is, from his room). He would ask Miss Joliffe (=landlady) if she could take them away, and this determination prompted him to consider whether there were any other articles of furniture with which it would be advisable to dispencse.

He made a mental inventory of his surroundings. There were several pieces of good mahogany furniture, including some open-backed chairs, and a glass-fronted bookcase, which were survivals from the yeoman's equipment at Wydcombe Farm (=where Miss Joliffe used to live when her family was wealthy). They had been put up for auction with the rest of Michael Joliffe's effects, but Cullerne (=the town where Miss Joliffe now lives) taste considered them old-fashioned, and no bidders were found for them. Many things, on the other hand, such as bead mats, and wool-work mats, and fluff mats, a case of wax fruit, a basket of shell flowers, chairs with worsted-work back, sofa-cushions with worsted-work fronts, two cheap vases full of pampas-grass, and two candlesticks with dangling prisms, grated sadly on Westray's taste, which he had long been convinced was of all tastes the most impeccable.

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The last sentence seems to me to be a contradiction: the articles mentioned here are of perfect taste ("impeccable"), and yet they annoy Westray ("grate on"). Could you explain to me how these statesments are connected? I appreciate any comments from you. Thank you!!

[Philo Kevetch]

Hello Im Chong-jun

I think if you turn it around, you might have a better chance of understanding.

Westray considers himself to have 'impeccable' taste.

He recognizes the quality of the items which were not sold at auction from Wydcombe Farm.

It is the "Many things, on the other hand, such as ........." which grate on his nerves.

He considers them chintzy (of inferior quality/taste) and they annoy him.

I hope this helps...if not, please ask again. Philo