Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
to be alert
English answer:
in order to be alert
Added to glossary by
Charles Davis
May 26, 2011 08:02
12 yrs ago
7 viewers *
English term
to be alert
English
Social Sciences
Media / Multimedia
"The second point relates more to the linear nature of time, with the onset of old age, and the weakening of the body and one's memory and sense of self. In the face of this Riggs's respondents felt the need to be strong, mindfully alert and active. They wanted to be independent, both in mind and body. They worry about being labelled as senile and take pride and pleasure in engaging with particular form of mystery narrative: to be alert. Likewise, symbolocally, they are faced with challenges in life."
I was wondering why the author used this phrase 'to be alert' after the colon, what does it refer to and how can I paraphrase it. in order to be alert, they want to be alert? Perhaps someone can understand it better than me.
I was wondering why the author used this phrase 'to be alert' after the colon, what does it refer to and how can I paraphrase it. in order to be alert, they want to be alert? Perhaps someone can understand it better than me.
Responses
4 +4 | in order to be alert | Charles Davis |
4 +1 | to be alert | Liz Dexter (was Broomfield) |
Change log
Jun 9, 2011 04:39: Charles Davis Created KOG entry
Responses
+4
4 mins
Selected
in order to be alert
I think it probably expresses purpose: they engage in mystery narratives in order to be alert. If the writer had meant "they take pride and pleasure in being alert", he/she should have expressed it differently, though it is just possible that this was the intended meaning but it has been expressed badly. As it stands, purpose is the only reading that makes sense to me.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
+1
12 mins
to be alert
I think this literally means that they are proud to be seen as engaging in the process of understanding the mystery programmes and thus they are seen to be alert. So by engaging, they are showing that they are alert, rather than engaging to be alert.
Peer comment(s):
agree |
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