Using "such that" in the context

Question

But the working class does not need to perpetuate itself. On the contrary, it needs to do away with its own existence as a class as quickly as possible, and to establish a classless society. Therefore, the working class has no use at all for any philosophical "system" which establishes any false permanence. Its class position and aims are such that it can afford to and needs to recognise and trace out the change, coming into being and ceasing to be of everything in existence.

Materialism and the Dialectical Method (Maurice Cornforth)

I have some questions to ask:

1. Could you explain to me the use of "such that" in the text above? I think the author need place an adj after such for clarification.
2. What does the word "it" [it can afford to and needs to] refer to? the working class?
3. Does the word "class" modify both "position" and "aims", or just "position"?

Answer 1

Huynh T.,

1. Word replacement will not clarify your intention.
2. simplify
3. remember that "writing is rewriting."
4. Scrap your original sentence and start over.
5. Begin by rewriting the preceding sentence with focus on subject and verb; e.g. Working people need no "systems" that falsely promises permanence. Given their class position and societal aims, workers must recognize and trace out change. After all, everything in nature comes into being and ceases to be.
6. I present the above for example, not for plagiarism. The process took time and testing and thinking. Good writing requires effort, and the effort begins with rooting out simple subjects and a dynamic (transitive) verbs.
7. Good luck

Answer 2

1. such that sould be replaced with "so"
2. This demonstrates the danger of unspecified pronounts. Avoid if all possible
3. One must assume class modifies both position and aims.

Answer 3

 1. Could you explain to me the use of "such that" in the text above? I think the author need place an adj after such for clarification.

Answer: "such that" is the adjective "such" + the subordinating conjunction "that" -- it functions as a knife that cuts to the limit of what the working class is. In short, "such that" is a designator that draws a limit for whatever precedes it. The question we might ask of the working class is "what makes it unique as a class?" In this case, the author demonstrates the distinguishing factor of its positions and aims by introducing this distinguishing fact with "such that." For example, unlike the bourgeoisie, the working class can afford to embrace the nature of change and the need to transition to a classless society. Thus, the knife of "such that" cuts away what the working class is not, since it can see past the stagnation of capitalism, which the bourgeoisie cannot.

2. What does the word "it" [it can afford to and needs to] refer to? the working class?

Answer: Yes, indeed, "it" refers to the working class! I know that this can be tricky to identify because of the multiple times that "it" appears after other nouns have been introduced. Context here is key. We must always remember the importance of reading a difficult text several to even many times in order to understand its syntax and so place it in its proper context.

3. Does the word "class" modify both "position" and "aims", or just "position"?

Answer: "Class" in this case doesn't seem to modify either "positions" or "aims." One could just as easily use the singular forms "position" and "aim" without grammatical error or a change in meaning. However, "class" is here used in the singular form, referring to one class of people. The plural form would be "classes," referring to multiple classes of people. Again, it can seem confusing when we referring to a group of many people as one thing, but his is precisely how the word "class" functions.

Answer 4

'Such that' is equative to the phrase 'so that'. It works as a result conjunction showing the effect from the previous clause. It is considered very formal and is rarely used outside of academic and technical areas.

EX: The test was so simple such that it did not require explaining.

EX: He tried his best such that he could impress his friends.

If you parse the text, you will find that 'it' references back to the 'working class' from the first sentence.

For your last question, class is not and adjective. It is a compound noun with position > class position, which is the rank or order that a person is in society (rich, poor, middle-class, working class etc.).