Timeline for Truman's use of 'become' in 'it becomes my duty' ? (1951 US)
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
4 events
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| Feb 3, 2015 at 7:19 | comment | added | pyobum | See my new comment above. It has the same meaning as "behoove" when used in this way. Truman's statement could be rephrased as, "It is a required part of my duty as President..." On a personal level, Truman doesn't want to replace MacArthur. As President, he has to do it. If he were simply saying that replacing MacArthur is now his duty (but wasn't before), why wouldn't he have used present perfect: "It has become my duty..."? | |
| Feb 3, 2015 at 6:23 | comment | added | Ben Kovitz | @pyobum I don't think that's the intended meaning. I could be wrong, of course. Do you know of any information that would enable us to tell which of the two theories is right? My own reasoning is just (1) that "becoming"'s meaning of "suitable to" has a connotation of desirability and seemliness that doesn't fit with Truman's act or situation; it's not something to regret. And (2) the meaning of "turning into my duty" easily makes sense here, and is something Truman would deeply regret having to do. | |
| Feb 3, 2015 at 4:47 | comment | added | pyobum | You (and other answerers) are misinterpreting the meaning of "become" in the quote. Compare it to the use of "become" in the common military expression "conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman." | |
| Feb 3, 2015 at 3:10 | history | answered | Ben Kovitz | CC BY-SA 3.0 |