A settlement would close the town's ugliest chapter, and allow it to begin again.

[Torsten]

Does the following sentence mean that the settlement will give the town a chance to get busy again? I mean does 'begin' refer to life in the town?

TOEFL listening lectures: A university lecture by a professor of Anthropology

[Yankee]

I assume that the word 'settlement' is a reference to a legal battle. When you 'settle a court case', you and the other party come to an agreement before the case goes to trial. Doing this is a way to avoid years in court and cut legal expenses.

If a town settles a large legal case, it will be able to avoid having to focus for years on the legal battle, and also minimize legal costs. After a town settles a big legal case, the case is finished, and the town can focus once again on just being a town.

That's my take.
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Torsten]

Hi Amy,

Thank you very much for your quick response. Would the verb 'begin' make sense without the context? I mean would it make sense to say 'I hope our town can begin again'?

TOEFL listening lectures: What does 'monotreme' mean?

[Yankee]

Yes, or you might just say that after the case is settle, the town will be able to 'start fresh'. It will have a sort of new beginning.
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln