25. Men are what their mothers made them.—Emerson.
CHAPTER VIII
ANALYSIS OF SENTENCES CONTAINING NOUN CLAUSES
It is most convenient to analyze the noun clause last, even if it is the subject of the sentence. As soon as the clause is mentioned, however, as a sentence-element, its introductory word should be given. Clauses within the noun clause should be disposed of after the rest of the noun clause has been analyzed.
A direct quotation is frequently introduced into a sentence to fulfill the office of a noun clause. In structure and form it is like an independent proposition, but in function it is subordinate; for example, “The first and last and closest trial question to any living creature is, “What do you like?”—Ruskin.
Notice that this sentence is declarative though the quotation is interrogative.
Exercise 8
Analyze the following sentences:—
1. Whoever has common sense and a sound heart has the power by which Whittier may be appreciated.—Masson.
2. It is remarkable how closely the history of the apple-tree is connected with that of man.—Thoreau.