what do u think he would say?

Question

I got "possesses no troublesome sensibilities" from a book, and this is the whole sentence:

"he possessed no power of thought, no depth of feeling, no troublesome sensibilities; nothing in short, but a few common-place instincts, which, aided by the cheerful temper that grew inevitably out of his physical well being, did duty very respectably, and to general acceptance, in lieu of a heart.

what does this tell about the person? i don't really get it. This man is 80 years old and is an Inspector in a Customs House, and the book mentions that he eats a lot. Can someone please help me understand this person more? Thank You.

for a person like this (as described above), what do you think he would say if asked how should the government be supported?

Answer 1

Smileyface,

This sounds like Hawthorne. Is it?

The character he describes here is not a very nice person, because he doesn't think about doing anything nice for anyone. He does no evil, but he does no good, either. He is a mechanical, doing his job, and that's about it. His greatest virtue is that he is socially acceptable--that's the meaning of the "no troublesome tendencies" phrase, along with the words "respectably," and "to general acceptance." As Dickens had the ghost of Jacob Marley show his chains to be formed of socially acceptable sins, so this character does what is socially acceptable without giving it other thought. Thus he is not much of a man, he is only socially acceptable, doing an accepted job. He has no passion, no adventure, no philosophy, no love, only a reasonably comfortable life an d ajob he does apparently more or less mechanically. This serves him "in lieu of a heart." That's a quietly devastating declaration. Pier Gynt peeled an onion, looking for the heart and discovered that an onion has no heart. This man is like that.

If he has no heart to him, no passion for life, and all he has is his job, which he does without thinking much about it, what would happen to him if he lost this job? Would he survive, or would he, and I think it more likely, would he die from lack of purpose, since the job is all he has?

For, you see, nothing in life really matters to him. The world changes but he does not see it. People don't matter, nothing does except his job and his table. If you spoke to him about sports, he wouldn't know. If you asked him about philosophy, he'd have no answer. He doesn't care.

How should the government be supported? "By taxes, of course, just as it always has been and always will be." He'd briefly wonder why you'd ask such a question, and then get back to his work, for nothing else matters. He has no heart.

Answer 2

He doesnt have feelings, he cant think for himself, he doenst give anything any thought- he just kinda goes with the flow- and doesnt really do much of anything. He has a cheerful personality-= he seems happy- but only because he isnt sick or unhealthy- when he had a job to do he did it= he didnt slack and goof around- he just did the job and got it done and it was acceptable.. it was bad, but it wasn't anything stellar either.. he just did it.

He probably wouldnt have much of an opinion about the government- he's very lax in his life and obviously doesnt have many opinions or cares/concerns about anything really- otherwise he wouldnt be so non-shalant about his life. He wouldnt really care if the governement was doing bad or good- just as long as his life was the same and things werent affecting him- He probably lives by the philosophy, "if it aint broke, don't fix it"

Answer 3

I take it to mean he is mentally handicapped - as in the thought abilities of an infant. "No power of thought" "few common-place instincts" and being cheerful because his belly is full "physical well-being" Asking him how the government should be supported might result in an answer very literal, like by a rope or on a wall. Just my guess.

Answer 4

Oh, come on, think about it. He's an old fat man passing judgement with a mouthfull of lamb. This sounds like Dickens.

Answer 5

it really depends on when you ask him as to how his disposition would be
if he has just vanquished his meal
or had his meat you would meet with a generous benefactions
but in the wrong place such as putting a new tax on his tea he would rise up as a ravenous beast to devour any thing remotely govt [but in company].

Answer 6

He's a basic, down-to-earth guy, with no deep feelings, no deep thoughts, and little sensitivity. He's healthy and cheerful and old.

Answer 7

it means he is a thoutful kind loving man and verry thoughtful and loving that what it means

Answer 8

http://hawthorne.thefreelibrary.com/Scarlet-Letter/1-1

http://www.eldritchpress.org/nh/slcus.html
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(in the 17th paragraphe)