She resents her aunt for trying to mold her in her own self image.
2007-05-17 09:33:42 · 9 answers · asked by snap d 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Confusing. For the sake of clarity, let's say that the "she" in the sentence is Jane. "Jane resents her aunt for trying to mold her in her own self-image," OK?
Do we mean that the aunt is attempting to make Jane like the aunt; or do we mean that the aunt is trying to make Jane closer to Jane's own image of herself (Jane's image of Jane)? See the problem?
Let's say the aunt is attempting to make Jane more like the aunt. In that case, use this:
"She resents her aunt for trying to make her into her aunt's image of herself." That puts the subjects and verbs where they belong -close to each other. Yes, it is awkward. How about, "The aunt tried to make her a reflection her self-image, and she resented it."
But, if we mean that the aunt was trying to help Jane become what Jane had in mind for herself, we might say, "She resented her aunt for trying to mold her into the image she, as her niece, wanted for herself.
You see what's going on here: identity problems caused by pronouns whose point of reference is open to interpretation. This is difficult to resolve with grammar alone; sometimes containment in a separate clause or sentence will help; sometimes naming or otherwise specifically identifying the people will help. And sometimes, NOTHING seems to help!
The "own self-image" may have been used in an an attempt to clarify that it was the AUNT'S self-image we're talking about -a good try. But it doesn't work, and creates a redundancy that, while not flawed grammatically, is unnecessary and bad "style."
Consult a copy of "Woe is I," for a clear and humorous commentary on these kinds of problems. Very funny stuff.
2007-05-21 03:02:59 · answer #1 · answered by JSGeare 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think this would be better:
She resents her aunt because she tried to mold her to her self image(but don't rely entirely on pronouns! I just did because I don't know the name).
2007-05-17 10:05:51 · answer #2 · answered by Hi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it sounds awkward then it is - so that means you should rewrite it.
Maybe "The more her Aunt tried to mold her into her own image, the more Molly's resentment grew."
I would give at least one of them a name.
2007-05-17 10:00:22 · answer #3 · answered by Stefka 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I get the message, but there are too many pronouns. Who does "her" refer to? (you've got it 3 times and it refers to 2 different people, I believe.
How about: She resents Aunt Busybody for trying to mold Resentful One into Busybody's own self image.
Oh, own and self are a little redundant, too.
(You know you are to replace those nicknames with character names, right?)
2007-05-17 09:39:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I guess it sounds ok, but a better way of phrasing it would be "She resents her aunt's attempt to mold her into a mirror image."
2007-05-17 12:49:26 · answer #5 · answered by Girasol 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
She resents her aunt for trying to mold her in her own image.
You don't need the word "self" as it's redundant with "own."
2007-05-17 09:38:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think it'd be better if you phrase it differently
like Alexis's aunt tried to mold Alexis into her own image, this is why she resents her
2007-05-17 10:06:02 · answer #7 · answered by Eliana Lombay 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It s o.k as long as you want to emphasize her aunts image.that s when you use a reflexive pronoun.
2007-05-17 09:45:02 · answer #8 · answered by hope55 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Almost -- I'd get rid of the word 'self' as it is redundant.
2007-05-17 09:38:08 · answer #9 · answered by Ranto 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋