In the context from TB's political memories, what is meant by 'proverbial dog with a bone'?
Tony Blair mentioned that Derry Irvine was like the proverbial dog with a bone who "gnaw at it, examine it, turn it over, bury it, dig it up, step back and state at it" legal problem. When most of people face difficult problem, they either try to find easy way to solve or give up. However, instead of using conventional methods like others, Derry Irvine becomes 'proverbial dog' to understand, analyze, and give solution by looking all the dimensions of problem. This was the biggest difference between Derry Irvine and others. Before, Tony Blair was just a pupil who passed the exams, and did not know ways to think. However, Tony Blair learnt one of his biggest lessons from Derry Irvine by witnessing Derry Irvine being a 'proverbial dog'. Tony Blair emphasized in his autobiography that how Derry Irvine influenced him by saying 'I mean really think – analyze, dissect a problem from first principles, and having deconstructed it, construct a solution'. Tony Blair working in the Bar under Derry Irvine for five years, finally he had a chance to meet John Smith and other Labour figures. After all, it can be said that Tony Blair also learnt how to think or else, he would have not succeeded in politics.
What does DI meant when he says he wanted TB to be 'personally responsible'?
The first time when Tony Blair wrote opinions for Derry Irvine, Tony thought Derry would just bin it after finishing reading it. In Tony Balir's view, Derry should not take his work seriously since he is just a pupil. However, when Derry asked Tony whether it is his best work; Tony started to make an excuse. Derry then said 'I do not want your half-though, work that you personally will be responsible for". No one can be perfect from beginning. It is someone's attitude or passion that makes difference at the end. Tony Blair just stepped into new world, and Derry Irvine is aware of that. What Derry really wanted from Tony is not a perfect writing but to see his attitude and mind set. Being a pupil or intern is only a protection from making mistakes not from lackadaisical behavior. In that sense, it seems like Derry wanted to teach Tony a lesson that being personally responsible for his/her work is perhaps the best way to learn and become a professional. The more you put your responsibility on your work, more you learn from mistakes. That is why when Tony brought 2nd work, Derry asked him to sit down and reviewed Tony's work together. It is hard to believe that Tony's 2nd work is perfect; however, at least, he did his best. Although there are mistakes, Tony will not neglect those mistakes but take it as a mild-stone to become better lawyer. Maybe this valuable lesson made Tony Blair respected Prime Minister instead being a lawyer. --
Regards.
JungDoe Jang
I am judging this from the perspective of critcising you as if you were a native speaker. Both were of a high standard. The first one lost its way in the middle a little bit but then you got it back. Be careful of typographical errors. There is no need to make unwarranted conclusions e.g. you make a reference to him being Prime Minister. However, generally this was excellent. You understood and answered the question 100%. Well done.
ReplyDelete