The fact is, that there was considerable difficulty in inducing Oliver to take upon himself the office of respiration.
◆这是介词短语upon himself 提到宾语前,把动宾分隔了。
take upon himself the office of respiration 等于:take the office of respiration upon himself (结构:动+宾+状)
字面意思:把呼吸空气的职能拿来放在自己身上。引申意思:“让自己承担呼吸空气的职能”,暗示不借助外力。
◆这个词组跟 take the responsibility upon oneself (自己承担起责任来;引为己任),是完全一样的结构。