Expression: a bower of roses

[Haihao]

Hi,

Could you please help me out with:

[Mister Micawber]

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1. In the first underlined part, does 'this thin hedge' refer to the 'fences' or the 'clumps of golden rod'? -- the weed stalks, the fence, and the clumps

Does 'them' refer to the 'shorn wheat-lands'? -- 'them' is the people talked of, I presume.

2. With the second part, I was very interested in the expression 'unsoftened by kindly gardens'. Does it mean: -b. was not softened because there were no kindly gardens there. -- Yes

3. Does 'drove off' mean 'started the car' or 'smartly drove the car (onto the road) in the heavy traffic...'? -- Drove away into the traffic

4. Does 'gave way in...' mean 'gave way with such thoughts as...'? -- I think 'gave way' = conceded, acknowledging 'what she saw'.

5. Does 'a bower of roses' mean 'a boudoir of roses'? -- Sort of: a wonderful place to come to.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Lost_Soul]

[Yankee]

Hi LS

Because 'gave way in' is followed by a colon, my take is that 'in' means something similar to "in thinking the following thoughts".
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Haihao]

Thank you all so very much. They're all as clear as a bell now. I had presumed and wished Main Street might be a softer touch than The Jungle Book before I took it up but now I have realized I was wrong..., again. But thanks to you and with your help, I feel I can still get through it.

Haihao