meaning - Confusing "Nor"



I say again that there are a variety of points of view from which thoughtful and useful study of poetry can be made. Poetry is also a social document, and may be made use of by the historian, the moralist, the social philosopher or the psycho-analyst. Nor do I say that the critic should not be aware of these aspects. He is only required to know what he is doing.



My problem is that I don't know why the writer used "nor" introducing his second statement when the first one is not negative. So I cannot find out if the second statement is negative or not. Does he say that the critic should not be aware of these aspects? Or does he say the critic should be aware of them?



Answer



According to https://guidetogrammar.org/grammar/conjunctions.htm



It is possible to use nor without a preceding negative element, but it is unusual and, to an extent, rather stuffy:


George's handshake is as good as any written contract, nor has he ever proven untrustworthy.



Regarding your specific questions . . .



Does he say that the critic should not be aware of these aspects?



No



Or does he say the critic should be aware of them?



Pretty much (or that it is okay for the critic to be aware of them). Of course, it is possible that the author didn't mean to say this; the original intention is difficult to determine.


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