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大きな木 grammar interpretation

letslearn

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こんにちは皆さん、
I am reading a book called 大きな木.
for those familiar with the story, the tree has just given the man permission to cut its branches etc to build his house.
The story then says..
木はそれでうれしかった。
たが、男はまたねがいあいだこなかった。
そして男がひょっこりもどってくると木はうれしくてものも言えないほどだった。

the third line i am having difficulty with. here is my interpretation.
is the の in うれしてもの a nominaliser?

the first line. because of that the tree was happy.
second line. however the man once again did not come back for a long time.
third line. then when the man suddenly returned, even though the tree was happy the man didn't say a word.

よろしくお願いします。
 
I'm betting that もの is a noun and that ものも言えない is a set phrase meaning to be rendered speechless

Don't overlook the significance of 言えない vs 言わない. And consider again who it refers to. The preceding content should also serve as a clue.
 
そして男がひょっこりもどってくると
木はうれしくて
ものも言えないほどだった。

The last line describes just how happy the tree was.


Edit: Yes, what Mike said.
 
oh i see.
the 言えない means unable to speak.
so the tree is so happy it is speechless.
is that correct?
 
oh i see.
the 言えない means unable to speak.
so the tree is so happy it is speechless.
is that correct?

That's the impression I get. Japan is full of overjoyed trees; none of them has ever said a word to me.
 
That's the impression I get. Japan is full of overjoyed trees; none of them has ever said a word to me.
Thanks mikesan and majesticsan.
I have finished the book but not sure what I think about it. I'm not sure what the moral (if any) is.
the tree is very happy at the end there's no doubt about that, but is that because it's still got a purpose or that the man has returned? The man doesn't seem to learn anything.
 
それで is close to それでも, and has a nuance of "even" there.

If the tree is very happy just because the man has returned even though the man doesn't learn anything and doesn't repent of his sin, it's possible to say that the tree is more beneficent than the father of the Prodigal Son, isn't it?
 
Are the things we give important or just the flotsam and jetsam carried along by the love we share?

If what one wants is non-physical in nature (the opportunity to help one that they love, the ease of mind of knowing a loved one is safe and secure, etc.) is it less/more/equally important as if it were a physical item? Less/more/equally fulfilling?

If a relationship looks selfish to one, does it mean it is selfish, or is it just colored by one's own expectations and experiences?

Ask your mother someday about the feelings it evoked when she would give you a scarf before you left the house on a cold winter morning.
 
Yes, when the prodigal son returns he does repent, but his father is more happy because he has been lost and is now found. He even has to explain this to his other son who is angry with him.
 
interesting points thank you.
 
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