英语专业英语短篇小说教案及课后答案

.KeystoUnitOneLangstonHughes:EarlyAutumnTeachingobjectives:1.Tolearntheelementsoffiction/shortstory2.TextforReading3.InterpretationandDiscussionDifficulties:1.Tofindthemeaningunderthesurfaceofthewords2.TowriteashortstoryafterreadingTime:4periodsTeachingprocedures:1.theIntroductionofthetextbookaswellastheteachingaims2.theelementsoffiction/shortstoryFiction:thewordfictionisarathergeneraltermthatcanbedefinedasnarrativetoldinprose.Therefore,fictionreferstodifferenttypesofwritingsuchasfolktale,myth,legend,etc.,butitismostoftenassociatedwiththenovelandtheshortstory.Shortstory:theshortstoryisnecessarilylimitedinlengthandscope.Keywordsofshortstory:asingleincident;asinglecharacterorafewcharacters;compact;creativeandimaginative3.Exercisesandanalysis:1)OpinionsofUnderstanding:(1)WhatwasprobablyuntrueofMary?A.Shemissedthedaysofthepast.B.ShestilllovedBill.C.Sheworkedtokeepafamilyofthreechildren.D.ShewassatisfiedwithherlifeandjobinNewYork.(2)WhichofthefollowingadjectivescanprobablybestdescribeBill’sattitude?A.Emotional.B.Indifferent.C.Puzzled.D.Hopeful.(3)Marydidn’tsayanythingwhenshegotonthebus.Why?A.Shehadnothingmoretosay.B.ShewasdisappointedinBill.C.Shewastooemotional.D.Sheknewthesituationwashopeless.(4)Thelastsentenceofthestory“shehadforgotten…totellhimthatheryoungestboywasnamedBill,too”showsthat________.A.MaryknewshewouldmeetBillagainsomeday.B.“Bill”isaverycommonname.C.MaryhadbeenthinkingaboutBillandstilllovedhim.D.Marywasproudofheryoungestson.(5)Thetitleoftheshortstory“EarlyAutumn”maysuggesttothereaderthat_______.A.thebitternessofanemotionallongwinterwasaheadB.itwasstillthebrighttimeofone’slife,likeearlyAutumnC.bothMaryandBillwerenowmiddle-agedpeopleD.thelovebetweenthemwasnotas“hot”assummerdays2)QuestionsforDiscussion(Suggestedanswersforreference):(1)CanyoupickoutwordsandsentencestoshowthatMaryandBillwerenowdifferentintheirattitudestowardeachother?1)Mary:…shesawhimforthefirsttimeinyears.(line5)Bill:Atfirsthedidnotrecognizeher…(line8)2)Mary:Unconsciously,sheliftedherfaceasthoughwantingakiss…(line11)Bill:…butheheldouthishand.(line12)3)Mary:“IliveinNewYorknow,”shesaid.(eagerlytellinghimheraddress)(line14)Bill:“Oh”–smilingpolitely,thenalittlefrowncamequicklybetweenhiseyes.(havingnointerestedinherlivingplacenow.)(lines15-16)4)Mary:“Marriedyet?”(concerningkeenlyabouthismaritalstatus)(line21)Bill:“Sure.Twokids.”(beingsatisfiedwithhispresentsituationandshowingprideinmentioninghisfamily.)(line22)5)Bill:“Andyourhusband?”heaskedher.(notnoticinghersubtleemotionalchange.)(line27)Mary:“Wehavethreechildren.Iworkinthebursar’sofficeatColumbia”(avoidingmentioningherhusbandinherreply).(line28)6)Bill:“You’relookingvery…”(hewantedtosayold)“…well,”hesaid.(notbeingsensitivetohercondition.)(line29)Mary:Sheunderstood.(beingverysensitivetoherowncondition.)(line30)7)Mary:“WeliveonCentralParkWest,”shesaid.“Comeandseeussometime.”(offeringadirectinvitation.)(line33)Bill:“Sure,”hereplied.“Youandyourhusbandmusthavedinnerwithmyfamilysomenight.Anynight.LucilleandI’dlovetohaveyou.”(givingapoliteindirectrejection.)(lines34-35)8)Mary:“There’smybus,”shesaid.(line42)Bill:Heheldouthishand,“Good-by.”(readytopartwithMary.)(line43)Mary:“When…”shewantedtosay…(notreadytopartwithBill)(line44)(2)SeveraltimestheauthordescribesthesceneonWashingtonSquare:thedusk,thechillyweather,thefallingleaves,thepassingpeople.Doesheonlywanttotelluswhereandwhenthestorytakesplace?Whatothereffectsdosuchdescriptionsachieve?(Thedescriptionofthesettinggivesthereaderafeelingofsadnessanddepression.Itwasgettingdarkandgettingcoldwithleavesfalling.Thebrightdaytimewasoverandtheunpleasantdarknesswasahead,andthewarmandcomfortablesummerandearlyautumndayswerebeingreplacedbythecoldandlongwinter.ThesettingechoesandreinforcesMary’sfeelingsofregretandyearningandimpliestheemotionalcrisisthatshemighthavetoface.)3)ExplanationandInterpretation:(Explaintheimpliedmeaningofthefollowingsentences,andpointouttheirsignificanceinthecontextofthestory.)1)Impulsively,shehadmarriedamanshethoughtsheloved.(Noticethetwokeywords:“impulsively”and“thought.”ThishasdirectrelationtoherreactionsatWashingtonSquare,NewYork,yearslater.Shemadeanimpulsivedecisionandthemanshe“thought”shelovedwasnotthemanshewantedtobealifepartnerwith.)2)Unconsciously,sheliftedherfaceasthoughwantingakiss,butheheldouthishand.(HerunconsciousreactionrevealsthattheirsweetloveinthepasthadbeenkeptaliveinMary’smemoryforalltheseyears,butBillhadundergoneatotalchange,treatingherasanordinaryacquaintanceofthepast.)3)“Andyourhusband?”heaskedher.“Wehavethreechildren.Iworkinthebursar’sofficeatColumbia.”(ThisisthefirsttimeBillinitiatedtheconversation,buthehadfailedtonoticethesignsinMary’semotionalreactionandaskedaquestionheshouldhavenotasked.Maryavoidedthequestionbytalkingaboutsomethingelse.Whydidsheavoidmentioningherhusband?Thereismessageintheavoidance.)4)Thelightsontheavenueblurred,twinkled,blurred.(ThevisioncamefromMary’seyes.Obviously,hereyeswerenowfilledwithtears.)5)Thebusstarted.Peoplecamebetweenthemoutside,peoplecrossingthestreet,peopletheydidn’tknow.Spaceandpeople.(Alotofpeoplehadwalkedintotheirlives,MaryandBill’sfamilymembersandtheirrespectivecircleoffriendsandcolleagues.ItwasnolongertheirworldoftwoyoungloverswhentheywereinOhio.)4)SuggestedHomework:SupposeyouwereBillWalkerandyouhadahabitofwritingdownwhathappenedtoyouinyourdiary.AfterthechancemeetingwithMaryatWashingtonSquare,youwenthomeandwroteabriefparagraphaboutthemeeting.Theparagraphmaybeginlikethis:Oct.11,2009IhadneverexpectedtoseeMary,butImetheratWashingtonSquare.Shelookedratheroldtome–Ididn’tevenrecognizeherimmediately…Forreferenceonly:Oct.11,2009(IhadneverexpectedtoseeMary,butImetheratWashingtonSquare.Shelookedratheroldtome–Ididn’tevenrecognizeherimmediately.Itwasquiteasurprisethatshecouldpickmeoutamongthehustlingandbustlingcrowdinthestreet.Afterall,ithasbeenquiteafewyearssinceweparted--Eight,nine,ortenyears?Timefliesandwebothchangedalot,nolongertheheady,impulsivekindofyoungstersthatweoncewere.Forsomereason,sheseemedratheremotionalaboutthischancemeeting,andwaskeeninknowingaboutwhathadhappenedtomeintheseyearsandintellingandinvitingmetoherplace.Somehow,sheavoidedmentioningherhusband,themanshequicklymarriedafterweranintoalittleprobleminourrelationship.Tenyearsisalongtime,enoughtoreshapeaperson’slife.Iwishherandherfamilyallthehappiness,sincerely.)KeystoUnitTwo(1)I.B.Singer:TheWashwoman(2)FrankSargeson:APieceofYellowSoap1)QuestionsforDiscussion:(Suggestedanswersforreference)(1)Doesthepieceofwashingsoaphavethe“power”asthenarratortellsus?Whatisthe“power”thatforceshimtotakeoff?(Thepieceofyellowwashingsoapis,ofcourse,anordinaryone.Thenarratorisa“naïvenarrator”whobelievedthatithadsomesortofmysterious“power,”whilethereadersareexpectedtoknowbetter.Thispowercomesfromthenarrator’sdeepsympathyforthetragicfateofthewashingwoman.Seeingthesituation,hesimplycouldnotcontinuetodemandthepaymentwhichheknewthewomanwasunabletoproduce.)(2)InthisUnit,wehavetwostoriesabouttwowashwomen.Therearealotofsimilardescriptionsandcommoncharacteristicsinthetwostories.Findandlistthem.(Theywerebothreducetodesperation,dependingsolelyonwashingforliving.Bothwerehard-workinganduncomplaining,quietlybutalmostheroicallyboretheirburdenandstruggledforahardexistence.Theauthordescribestheircommonfeature–thewhiteandshrunkenfingers–assymbolofsufferinginthelivesoftheworkingpeople.Theybothwerebothdeadbytheendofthestories.)(3)Thetwofirst-personnarratorstelltwostoriesoftwowashwomenwhosharedsimilartragicfate.Discussthedifferencesinthenarratorsthatresultinthedifferencesinthewaythetwoshortstoriesaretold.(Singer’snarratorknowsmoreandtellsmoreaboutthewashingwoman,oftenmakingdirectcommentsandrevealinghisownfeelingsaboutthelifeofthewomanwhosestoryheistelling.Hefrequentlyemphasizesthatwhatheistellingisreal,andhintsthatthestoryhassignificance.Thenarrator’svoiceisveryclosetotheauthor’s.Pleaseseemorein“ReadingTips”onpage11.Ontheotherhand,Sargeson’snarratorisanaïveone,thatis,thenarrator’sunderstandingispurposelymadeshallow,andthereaderneedfindbyhimselftherealmeaninginthesituation.Sothenarratorstandsatsomedistancefromtheauthor.Pleaseseemorein“ReadingTips”onpage15.Therefore,inTextI,we,asreaders,arebasically“given”or“received”thestory,whileinTextII,weneedtoparticipateimaginativelyinthestoryto“digout”thetruemeaningthenaïvenarratorhasleftunexplained.)2)ExplanationandInterpretation:(Explaintheimpliedmeaningofthefollowingsentences,andpointouttheirsignificanceinthecontextofthestory.)From“TheWashwoman”:(1)Shehadbeensosickthatsomeonecalledadoctor,andthedoctorhadsentforapriest.(Accordingtothecustom,apriestshouldbepresentwhileoneisdying.Theimpliedmessageisthedoctorthoughtthathecoulddonothingtosaveher,andthebestthingtodowastoprepareforherdeath.)(2)“WiththehelpofGodyouwilllivetobeahundredandtwenty,”saidmymother,asablessing.“Godforbid!...”(“MyMother”extendedagoodwishforlonglifetoher,butthewashingwomanthoughtthatalonglifewasaterriblething,becauseitonlymeantsufferinglonger.)(3)Hersoulpassedintothosesphereswhereallholysoulsmeet,regardlessoftherolestheyplayedonthisearth,inwhatevertongue,ofwhateverreligion.(Agoodperson,liketheoldwashwoman,wouldgotoheavenbecauseshehadanoblesoul.Shewouldriseabovealltheearthlyconsiderationsofclass,race,nationandreligion.)From“APieceofYellowSoap”:(4)Myeyeswouldgetfixedonherfingersandthesoap,andafterafewminutesIwouldloseallpowertolookthewomanintheface.Iwouldmumblesomethingtomyselfandtakemyselfoff.(Thenarratorcouldnotbeartolookatthiswashing-tubslavefortoolong.Hewouldhavetofindsomeexcuseandleave.Hecouldnotpushheroverthecliffwhileshewasstandingonthevergeoftotaldesperation.)(5)Shehadawaytoooffeelinginsideherhandbagasshepassedme,andIalwayshadthequeerfeelingthatshecarriedthereapieceofsoap.Itwashertalismanpowerfultoworkwonders…(Possiblyinthebagtherewereafewpenniesthatthewomanhadearnedfromherwashing,andshewasgoingtobuyfoodorsomenecessities.Seeingthenarrator,towhomsheknewsheowedmoney,sheunconsciouslyorprotectivelyputherhandinthebag.Thenarrator,being“naïve,”misunderstoodherreactionwhiletheymetinthestreet.)SuggestedHomework:Translatethefollowingparagraphsfrom“TheWashwoman”intoChinese:Thebagwasbig,biggerthanusual.Whenthewomanplaceditonhershoulders,itcoveredhercompletely.Atfirstshestayed,asthoughshewereabouttofallundertheload.Butaninnerstubbornnessseemedtocallout;no,youmaynotfall.Adonkeymaypermithimselftofallunderhisburden,butnotahumanbeing,thebestofcreation.Shedisappeared,andmothersighedandprayedforher.Morethantwomonthspassed.Thefrosthadgone,andthenanewfrosthadcome,anewwaveofcold.Oneevening,whilemotherwassittingneartheoillampmendingashirt,thedooropenedandasmallpuffofsteam,followedbyagiganticbag,enteredtheroom.Irantowardtheoldwomanandhelpedherunloadherbag.Shewaseventhinnernow,morebent.Herheadshookfromsidetosideasthoughsheweresayingno.Shecouldnotutteraclearword,butmumbledsomethingwithhersunkenmouthandpalelips.Forreferenceonly:衣服包很大，比平时更大。妇人将那一大包衣服驼在肩上，包袱把她的身子完全盖住了。一开始，她稳住脚，好像随时都会在大包袱的重压下倒下。但似乎有一种内在的毅力在呼唤，让她挺住，不能倒下。一头驴可以允许自己被重压压垮，但人为万物之灵，则不可趴下。她渐渐走远，母亲叹了口气，默默为她祈祷。两个多月过去了。冰雪消融后，冰雪又至，新一阵寒潮袭来。一天晚上，母亲正坐在油灯旁补衣衫，门突然被推开，一团小小的雾气引领着一个巨大的包袱进了屋子。我跑上前去帮老太太卸下包袱。她愈加消瘦，背更驼了。她不停地晃着脑袋，像在说太过分了。她连话都说不清楚，从瘪陷的嘴中透过苍白的嘴唇嘟哝了几声。KeystoUnitThreeRichardSelzer:TheDiscusThrower1)Questionsfordiscussion(Suggestedanswersforreference)(1)Whatimpressiondoyougetofthepatientfromthedescriptiongiveninthestory?(Inspiteofhisseriousillness,themannevermoansorcomplains.Hetalkslittleandgenerallykeepsthephysicalsufferingtohimself.HetriestomaintainanimageofarealmanalthoughheisinthegripofDeath.HebehavesinthemannerofHemingway’s“toughguy”–actingbytheprincipalthat“Amancanbedestroyedbutcannotbedefeated.”)(2)Intheshortconversations,wehearthepatient’sdemandtoknowaboutexacttimeandhisdemandforshoes.Whyishestillinterestedintimeandwhatdoeshewantshoesforsincehecan’twalkanymore?(Hisinterestinexacttimeandhisdemandforshoesseemtosuggestthat,deepinhisheart,themanrefusestoacceptthefate.Itmightbetheresultoffiercepsychologicalconflictwithinthepatient,withrealityandrationalityononeside,andwishandwillontheotherside.Someabnormalbehaviorsindicatetheman’sunwillingnesstoreconcilewiththefateinspiteofhisself-restrain.)(3)Readcarefullytheparagraphaboutplate-throwing.Whydoesthewritergivesuchdetaileddescriptionofit?Whatisyourinterpretationofthisratherabnormalbehavior?(Fromthedetaileddescriptionsofhis“discus”throwing,weseemtolearnthatthemanisratherskillfulatthat,andthathemighthavehadsometraininginthesportofthrowingdiscus.Thenwhydosehethrowplates?Isitbecauseitbringsbackthememoryofthebestmomentinhislifewhenhisphysicalpowerwinsthegloryandcheers?Bythisimpulsive“reliving”or“restaging”oftheexplosiveenergyheoncehad,themangainssomesatisfaction–helaughsafterit–andprovesthatheisstillalive.Thisactionrevealsthecomplicatedinnerworldofamanwhoisforcedtofacedeath.)(4)Whydoesthewriterchoose“TheDiscusThrower”asthetitle?IsitcoincidencethattheshortstoryhasthesametitleasthefamousGreeksculptureDiscobolus(DiscusThrower)?(IntheGreeksculpture,weseethefrozenmomentofbeauty:malevitality,energyandmusclepower.Itisacelebrationoflifeandphysicalcapability.Thispatientmightoncebeadiscusthrower,professionalathleteoramateur,andnowformssuchacontrasttothesculpturedimage.Thisleavesalotofroomforreader’sownreflectiononlifeanddeath.)2)Explanationandinterpretation(Explaintheimpliedmeaningofthefollowingsentences,andpointouttheirsignificanceinthecontextofthestory.)(1)a.FromthedoorwayofRoom542themaninthebedseemsdeeplytanned.Blueeyesandclose-croppedwhitehairgivehimtheappearanceofvigorandgoodhealth.b.Heliessolidandinert.Inspiteofeverything,heremainsimpressive,asthoughhewereasailorstandingathwartaslantingdeck.(Thepatientisfatallyill,buthelooks,orkeepsanimageofastrongman.Hislifeisthreatenedbydisease,butthespiritofastrongmanisstillthere.Hedoesnotcollapse,butdoeswhathecan,thoughrathervainly,tostruggletomaintainthedignityofaman.)(2)“Yes,”hesaysatlastandwithouttheleastirony.“Youcanbringmeapairofshoes.”(seesuggestedanswertoQuestion2.)(3)It’sablessing,she(theheadnurse)says.(Thoughtheheadnurseistheonewhohascomplainedalotaboutthepatient’sunreasonablebehaviorsanduponhisdeathshesays“It’sablessing,”itdoesnotmeanthatsheiscoldblooded,andthusfeelsrelievedofhertroubles.ShemeansthatGodhasallowedhimtogo,sohenolongerneedstosufferandtostruggleinthisworld.ItisthusablessingfromGod.)(4)Heisstillthereinhisbed.Hisfaceisrelaxed,grave,dignified.(Heisdead,possiblydyingwithrelaxedfeelingashehaskepthisfinalimageofbeingatruemanwithdignityandcannowsleepinpeace.)KeystoUnitFourSomersetMaugham:Mr.Know-All1)OpinionsofUnderstanding:(1)Whichofthefollowingisaroundcharacter?A.Thenarrator“I”.B.Mr.Kelada.C.Mr.Ramsay.D.Mrs.Ramsay.(2)Whichofthefollowingisamosttypicalflatcharacter?A.Thenarrator“I”.B.Mr.Kelada.C.Mr.Ramsay.D.Mrs.Ramsay.(3)ThenarratordecidedthathemighthaveanunpleasantcompanyevenbeforeseeingMr.Keladabecause_______.A.hehadtoshareacabinwiththelatterB.hehadknownthelattertobealoudandnoisypersonC.thelatterhadaforeignnameD.thelatterhadabadreputation(4)FromthestorywecandeducethatMrs.Ramsay’spearlnecklacewasprobably________.A.aworthlessimitationB.anexpensivepurchasethatsheborrowedmoneytopayforC.agiftfromherhusbandD.agiftfromaloverofhersthatherhusbandknewnothingabout(5)Bytheendoftheshortstory,thenarratorsaid,“AtthatmomentIdidnotentirelydislikeMr.Kelada.”Thewordsmaysuggestthat_______.A.heactuallyenjoyedthecompanyofMr.KeladaB.hefoundthatMr.KeladawasentirelydifferentfromwhathehadexpectedhimtobeC.helikedMr.KeladajustforamomentD.hehadchangedhisearlierattitudetowardsMr.Kelada2)QuestionsforDiscussion:(Suggestedanswersforreference)(1)WhataretheundesirablequalitiesofMr.Keladaaccordingtothenarrator?Findthemoutinthetextandlistthem.AretheygoodproofthatMr.Keladaisanunpleasantperson?1）…myfellowpassenger’snamewas(not)SmithorBrown.(notAnglo-Saxonsounding)(line9).2)WhenIwentonboardIfoundMr.Kelada’sluggage..andtoiletthings(showingbadtaste)(lines11-16)3)Mr.Keladawasshortandofasturdybuild,cleanshavenanddarkskinned,withafleshy,hookednoseandverylargelustrousandliquideyes.Hislongblackhairwassleekandcurly.(HisphysicalfeaturesindicatethatheisnotawhiteEuropean.)(lines32-34)4)HespokewithafluencyinwhichtherewasnothingEnglishandhisgestureswereexuberant.(lines34-35)5)Mr.Keladawaschatty.(line57)6)Mr.Keladawasfamiliar.…(observing)nosuchformality.(lines64-68)7)“Thethreeonthefour,”saidMr.Kelada(participatinginotherperson’scardgame,beingrathernosy)(lines71-81)8)Inotonlysharedacabinwithhimandatethreemealsadayatthesametable,butIcouldnotwalkroundthedeckwithouthisjoiningme.(caringlittleaboutotherpeople’sprivacy)(lines85-86)9)Hewasagoodmixer,andinthreedayskneweveryoneonboard.Heraneverything.(line90-91)10)Hewascertainlythebesthatedmanintheship.WecalledhimMr.Know-All.(line94)11)Hewas…argumentative.Hekneweverythingbetterthananybodyelse.(lines96-97)ButtheabovelistonlyprovesthatMr.Keladawasapersonofdifferentcultureandbehaveddifferently.NurturedbyhismoreOrientalculture,hebehavedinawaythatwasnothingwronginitself,butwasdislikedbythenarratorofthestory,whoheldaprejudiceagainstnon-Westernculture.(2)UnderlinethedescriptionsofMr.andMrs.Ramsay,anddiscussthecontrastbetweenthecouple.Mr.Ramsay:1)HewasasdogmaticasMr.KeladaandresentedbitterlytheLevantine’scocksureness.(lines103-104)2)HewasagreatheavyfellowfromtheMiddleWest,withloosefatunderatightskin,andhebulgedoutofhisready-madeclothes.(lines106-108)3)Hewasargumentative(lines122-124)andinsensitive(lines155-170)Mrs.Ramsay:1)Mrs.Ramsaywasaveryprettylittlething,withpleasantmannersandasenseofhumor.(lines110-111)2)Shewasdressedalwaysverysimply;butsheknewhowtowearherclothes.Sheachievedaneffectofquietdistinction.(lines111-113)3)Youcouldnotlookatherwithoutbeingstruckbyhermodesty.Itshoneinherlikeafloweronacoat.(lines115-116)(Thehusbandandthewifeareverydifferentalmostineveryway.Oneisloud,fatty,aggressiveandtheotherisquite,prettyandmodest.Thecontrastgivesthereaderanimpressionthatthemanisunworthyoftheladyandmayindicateatpossiblelackofharmonyinthemarriage.)(3)Wehavebeengivenenoughhintsaboutthetruevalueofthenecklaceandthepossiblestorybehindit.Canyoufindthem?1)“They’llneverbeabletogetaculturedpearlthatanexpertlikemecan’ttellwithhalfaneye.”HepointedtoachainthatMrs.Ramsaywore.“Youtakemywordforit,Mrs.Ramsay,thatchainyou’rewearingwillneverbeworthacentlessthanitisnow.”(lines134-137)2)Mrs.Ramsayinhermodestwayflushedalittleandslippedthechaininsideherdress.(line136)3)“Oh,inthetradesomewhereroundfifteenthousanddollars.ButifitwasboughtonFifthAvenue,Ishouldn’tbesurprisedtohearthatanythinguptothirtythousandwaspaidforit.”(lines145-147)4)“Oh,Elmer,youcan’tbetonacertainty,”saidMrs.Ramsay.(line155)5)“Buthowcanitbeproved?”shecontinued.“It’sonlymywordagainstMr.Kelada’s.”(line159-160)6)Mrs.Ramsayhesitatedamoment.Sheputherhandstotheclasp.(line164)7)“Ican’tundoit,”shesaid.“Mr.Keladawilljusthavetotakemywordforit.”(line165)8)TheLevantinetookamagnifyingglassfromhispocketandcloselyexaminedit.Asmileoftriumphspreadoverhissmoothandswarthyface.(lines170-172)9)…Mrs.Ramsay’sface.Itwassowhitethatshelookedasthoughshewereabouttofaint.Shewasstaringathimwithwideandterrifiedeyes.Theyheldadesperateappeal.(lines173-175)(4)WhydidMr.Keladachoosenottotellthetruthofthevalueofthepearlnecklace?(Obviouslyhewantedtohelpthehelplessladybynotrevealingthetruevalueofthenecklace.Otherwiseshewouldhavetofaceanawfulandembarrassingexplanation.HemighthaveregardedMr.Ramsayasbeingunworthyfortheladyandactedoutofdisdain.)(5)Whydidthenarratorsaybytheendofthestory“IdidnotentirelydislikeMr.Kelada”?(HeseemedtobeawareofhisownprejudiceafterhehadseenthepositivequalityoftheLevantine:wisdom,self-sacrifice,andsensitivenesstoother’smisfortunes.)3)ExplanationandInterpretation:(Explaintheimpliedmeaningofthefollowingsentences,andpointouttheirsignificanceinthecontextofthestory.)(1)IwaspreparedtodislikeMaxKeladaevenbeforeIknewhim.(Thisindicatesthatthenarrator,theEnglishgentleman,hadadeep-rootedracialandculturalbiasagainstnon-English.Itisnottheperson,butwhathisnamerepresentsthathedisliked.)(2)ButwhenIwastoldthenameofmycompanionmyheartsank….Ishouldhavelookeduponitwithlessdismayifmyfellowpassenger’snamehadbeenSmithorBrown.(“Smith”and“Brown”aretypicalEnglishsurnames.Thename“MaxKelada”indicatesamanfromadifferent,mostlikely“inferior”cultureintheopinionofthenarrator.)(3)TheConsularServiceisillpaid,andshewasdressedalwaysverysimply.(Thisforeshadowsthefactthatthepearlnecklacewasfartooexpensiveforherpurse.)(4)Mrs.Ramsayinhermodestwayflushedalittleandslippedthechaininsideherdress.(Shequicklyhidthechaininside,anactthatrevealsherfearofitstruevaluebeingnoticedbysomebody.)(5)“IfIhadaprettylittlewifeIshouldn’tletherspendayearinNewYorkwhileIstayedatKobe,”saidhe.(Mr.Keladahintedthatthehusband’sleavingheraloneinNewYorkwasunwiseandhadledtosomeconsequences.Shehadnowawealthysuitor.)4)SuggestedHomework:LetussupposethatintheafternoononthesamedaywhenMr.Keladagotbackthe100dollars,hemetMrs.Ramsaysomewhereonthedeck,andtherewerenootherpeoplearound.Theyhadashortconversationaboutwhathadhappenedpreviously.Usingyourimagination,writeouttheshortdialoguebetweenthetwo.Theconversationmaybeginlikethis:(--Goodmorning,Mrs.Ramsay.It’sasurprisetoseeyoualonehere.--Goodmorning,Mr.Kelada.Idon’tfeelwell,soIcomeoutforabitoffreshair.--It’salwaysapleasuretoseeacharmingladylikeyou.--Thankyouforsayingso.I’mextremelysorryforwhathappenedyesterday,andI’mgratefulforwhatyoudid,forme.)--Lyingaboutthenecklace?--Lyingformysake.Youaregenerousandhaveagoodheart.--Anyway,Igotthe100dollarsback.Youdeliveredityourself?--Yes,Idid.Youdidmeagreatservice,andthereisnowaythatyoushouldbepayingthatmoney.--Ihavebeenthelaughingstockofeverybodyonboard.--Youhavemyrespect.Iwasrealterrifiedyesterday,andfortunatelyyoucametotherescue.--Itisawonderfulgift,thatnecklace,fromatrueadmirer,Iguess?--Youembarrassme,Mr.Kelada,butyouseemtonoticeeverything.--It’sagoodmatchtoaprettyladylikeyou.--Don’tlaughatme,Ibeg.Idon’tthinkI’llbewearingitanymore.Thankyouagain,andIthinkI’llbegoingbacktothecabin.KeystoUnitFiveRoaldDahl:TheTaste1)QuestionsforDiscussion:(Suggestedanswersforreference)(1)Canyouexplainthewriter’splotting--whichpartistheexposition,orcomplication,orclimax,orresolutionofthisshortstory?(exposition:lines1-17);complication:lines18-404;climax:lines405-425;resolution:lines426-431)(2)ThenarratorseemstoberathersuspiciousofPratt’smotive.Canyoufindtheplacesinthestorywhereheshowshissuspicionandunderlinethem?1)HewascompletelyengrossedinconversationwithMike’seighteen-year-olddaughter,Louise.…Ashespoke,heleanedcloserandclosertoher,andthepoorgirlleanedasfarasshecouldawayfromhim,noddingpolitely,ratherdesperately…(lines67-72)2)…intwoshortswallowshetippedthewinedownhisthroatandturnedimmediatelytoresumehisconversationwithLouiseSchofield.(lines78-80)3)Exceptthat,tome,therewassomethingstrangeabouthisdrawlingvoiceandhisboredom:betweentheeyesashadowofsomethingevil,andinhisbearinganintentnessthatgavemeafaintsenseofuneasinessasIwatchedhim.(lines121-124)4)Andyet,curiously,hisnextquestionsseemedtobetrayacertaininterest.“Youliketoincreasethebet?”(lines138-139)5)Itwasasolemn,impassiveperformance,andImustsayhe(Pratt)diditwell.(line289)6)…hewasbecomingridiculouslypompous,butIthoughtthatsomeofitwasdeliberate…(lines316-317)(3)CanyousayafewwordsabouteachofthethreemembersoftheSchofieldfamily?Writedownyourimpressiononapieceofpaperandreadoutwhatyouhavewrittentotheclass.(MichaelSchofieldisstockbroker,gettingrichalmosttooeffortlessly.Consciousofbeingless“cultured,”heimitatesthewayoflifeofhighclass,attemptingtocopythemannersofthe“politesociety,”tosuppresshisemotion,tobecourteouswheneverpossible.Heloveshisdaughter,butpayslittleattentiontohiswife’sopinion.Mrs.Schofieldissimilarlyconsciousof“culturedbehavior,”alwaysfearingthatherhusbandmayfailtokeeptothepolitemanners.Sheisalmostcompletelydisregardedbyherhusband,andsheknowsit,butbehavesasifherwordshadweightonhim.Louiseisalovelyyounglady,generallybehavinginthewaythatherparentswouldwishhertobehave.ShedoesnotshowherangerthoughobviouslysheisdispleasedbyMr.Pratt.Shealsoacceptstheridiculousbettinguponherfather’srepeatedpleading.)(4)Theendingofthestoryisunexpectedbutsignificant.Whatdoesitrevealtoyouaboutthetwocharacters,thehumblemaidandthewealthyand“highlycultured”RichardPratt?(Thoughlowinsocialstatusandineconomicposition,thehumblemaiddemonstratesherwisdom,cool-mindedness,loyaltyandnobility.Onthecontrary,thememberofso-called“culturedclass”suchasMr.Pratt,revealsfullyhisdishonesty,meannessandevilintention.)3)Explanationandinterpretation:(Explaintheimpliedmeaningofthefollowingsentences,andpointouttheirsignificanceinthecontextofthestory.)(1)He(Pratt)wascompletelyengrossedinconversationwithMike’seighteen-year-olddaughter,Louise.Hewashalfturnedtowardsher,smilingather…(Pratthadaninterestinhisfriend’sdaughterandshowedthatalmostopenly.Thisshowsthatheisnotagentleman,butamean-mindedperson.)(2)(Thenarrator):“Butwhythestudy?”Mike:“It’sthebestplaceinthehouse.Richardhelpedmechooseitlasttimehewashere.”(Thisisaforeshadowing.RichardPratthadsetthetrap.Fromtheverybeginningofthebetting,Pratthadalreadyhadtheplan,andstepbystepheledMikeintothetrap.)(3)…andthenhe(Mike)pickeduphisknife,studiedthebladethoughtfullyforamoment,andputitdownagain.(Hewasmakinganefforttorestrainhimselfandsuppresshisanger,buthemightdoanythingifhecannotcontrolhimselfinanexplosivemoment.Pratt’sdesireforhisdaughterwasoutrageousandhehadbeenchallenginghispatienceforalmosttoolong.)(4)Itwasasolemn,impassiveperformance,andImustsayhe(Pratt)diditwell.(ThenarratorseemedtohavenoticedthatwhatPratthadstagedwasawell-prepared“performance.”)(5)Prattglancedaround,sawthepairofthinhorn-rimmedspectaclesthatsheheldouttohim,andforamomenthehesitated.“Arethey?Perhapstheyare,Idon’tknow.”(Prattnowsawthebigholeinhisplan,butafteramomentofindecision,hecalmlyattemptedtocoveritupbysayingsomethinginacarelessmanner.)4)SuggestedHomework:(Turntheshortstoryintoaperformableshortplay.)TaskOne:Dividetheclassintogroupsofsix.TaskTwo:Rewritethestoryintheformofaplay.Shortenitbykeepingonlythenecessaryconversationandcuttingawaytherest.Addabriefintroductionandsomeconclusivecomments.TaskThree:Preparetoactoutthestorywith6charactersintheplay–thenarratorwhointroducesthestoryatthebeginningandmakesabriefcommentattheend,MikeSchofield,hiswife,hisdaughterLouis,RichardPrattandthemaid.Theplaymaybeginlikethis:Narrator:MikeSchofield,awealthystockbroker,isholdingadinnerpartyinhishouseinLondon.AmongthosesittingattableisagentlemannamedRichardPratt,afamousgourmet.Pratthasunusualknowledgeofwineandbysimplytastingit,hecantelltheyearandtheplaceofitsproduction.Asusual,tonight,thehostexpectsalittlebetwithhimonhisabilitytonamethevintageofaparticularwine.Mike:I’vegotsomespecialwinetonight.You’llnevernamethisone,Richard.Notinahundredyears!Pratt:Aclaret?……(Thestudentscancutandpasteandreorganizefromtheoriginaltext,startingfromline115.)KeystoUnitSixMaryGavell:TheSwing1)QuestionsforDiscussion:(Suggestedanswersforreference)(1)Whatisthesignificanceoftheopeningsentence“Asshegrewold,shebegantodreamagain”?Isitonlytheoldagethatcausesthemothertodreamanddaydreammoreoftennow?(Dreamisareplacementofwhatshecannothaveinreallife.Asshegrewold,shebecamelessactivephysicallyandfeltmorelonelyinheremotionallife.Thatiswhy,mostofherdreamsareabouttherememberedpast,thelifewithherson.)(2)WhatisitaboutJulius,thehusband,thatannoysthewife?Isheanannoyingperson?Whydoyouthinkhebehavesthewayhedoes?Doesheunderstandheremotionalsituation?(Thehusband,Julius,suffersfromthesameproblem.Oldagemadehimphysicallyweaksohemovedaboutlessandtalkedless.Hesharesthefeelingofloneliness,buttheman’sreactionisdifferentfromhiswife.Theendingpartoftheshortstoryprovesthat.Hekeepstheemotiontohimself,becomingmorewithdrawnandbehaving,inhiswife’seyes,ratherstrangely.)(3)Inoneoftheflashbacks,thereisdescriptionofoneoftheSundaydinnersattheadultson’shome.Howisthemother-sonconversationdifferentfromhertalkswithherboyontheswing?(Theconversationbetweenthemotherandheradultsondoesnothavetheintimacyandattachmentitoncehadwhenthesonwasaboy.Behindthematurepoliteness,thereissomedistancebetweengenerations.Whileinthepast,theycouldtalkaboutanythingandeverythingandcouldsharetruesentiments.)(4)Howdoyouexplainthejackethangingonthenail?(Wecannotexplainitrealisticallyorrationally,unlessweregardisalsoaspartofthedream.Thereisaliteraryschoolofwritingcalled“magicrealism,”inwhichtherealandthefantasticaremergedforaspecialeffect.So,thiscanbestbeunderstoodasatouchof“magicrealism.”)3)ExplanationandInterpretation:(Explaintheimpliedmeaningofthefollowingsentences,andpointouttheirsignificanceinthecontextofthestory.)(1)(Themotherthought:)“IwishthatwhenIaskhimhowheishewouldn’ttellmethatthereiseverylikelihoodthattheBasicResearchDivisionwillbemergedwiththeStatisticsDivision.”(Thegrown-upson’sinterestisinhiswork,whilethemother’sinterestisinhispersonallife.Herquestionshowsherconcernedofhimasason,buthismindbendsonhiscareer.Heisnowlivinginaworldthathismotherknowslittleabout,andheisnolongerasdependentonherashewaswhenhewasachild.Themotherfeelssomesadnessbecausetheconversationonceagainremindsherofthefactthathersonhaslefthernestandnowisflyingonhisownwings.)(2)shehadhadtheancientpianotuned…hadbeenreadingbooksonChina…andwasgoingtodigit(phlox)allupandtryiris(inthegarden)…(Shehasbeentryingtofindthingstodo,possiblytokillboredomandloneliness.)(3)Hecameeverynightortwoafterthat,andshelayinbedinhappyanticipation,listeningforthecreakoftheswing.(Shewaits,lyinginbed,forthehappytimewitheagerness.Sothemeetingwithhersonindreamhighlightstheprobleminheroldagelivingwithareticentandinactivehusband.Itisheronlymomentofgreatjoy–rememberingthelifeofthepast.)(4)…shesatandwatchedashewalkeddownthelittlebacklanethathadtakenhimtoschool,andofftocollege,andofftoajob,andfinallyofftobemarried…(Itistheboy’sgrowing-upprocess:leavinghome,goingtoschool,tocollege,toworkingunitandestablishinghisownfamily.Thescenespassbeforehermind’seyequicklyandthereisatragicsenseremindingherthatherson,asachild,hasleftherforever.)UnitSevenJamesJoyce:Araby2)OpinionsofUnderstanding:(1)WhichadjectiveisNOTpropertodescribethestyleoftheshortstory?A.Dreamlike.B.Poetic.C.Matter-of-fact.D.Sentimental.(2)Whydoestheboywanttogotothebazaar,orthe“Araby,”sodesperately?A.Hewantstofindsomeromanticfulfillment.B.Hewantstoseeexoticandexcitingthings.C.Hewantstohavenewexperience.D.Hewantsto“dosomething”forthegirl.(3)Whatdoyouthinkcanbethethemeofthestory?A.Realbeautyisillusoryandunattainable.B.Growingupleadstolossofyouthfulidealism.C.Truelovecannotsurvivethecruelworld.D.Disillusionalwaysaccompaniesromanticism.(4)WhichisprobablytrueaboutMangan’ssister?A.Sheisayounggirlofrarebeauty.B.Shehasalltheelegancebecauseofherfamilyandreligiousbackground.C.Sheisangel-likebothinappearanceandinnature.D.Sheisanordinarygirlbutthenarratorplaceshisromanticfantasiesonher.(5)Theshortstoryendswiththesentence:“GazingupintothedarknessIsawmyselfasacreaturedrivenandderidedbyvanity;andmyeyesburnedwithanguishandanger.”Whatpossiblyhastheboysuddenlyrealized?A.Hehasbeenbehavingfoolishly.B.Thegirldoesnotdeservesomuchofhisaffection.C.Hisuncleandauntareheartlesspeople.D.Truebeautycannotbeobtainedatanycost.2)QuestionsforDiscussion:(Suggestedanswersforreference)(1)Whydoestheboyisolatehimselfinhisroomreadingbooksandwhydoesheretreatintodreamsofidealizedlove?Findthecontrastsbetweenhisreallifeandtheimaginedperfection.Theboy’sreallife:1.Thelivingplacewasmusty,cold,dampandgloomy.2.Theneighborhoodwasdescribedasbeing“themosthostiletoromance.”(line50)3.Therigidreligiouslifeseemstodepriveaboy’spursuitforromance,sotheprotagonistresortedtoimaginationashisescapefromtheday-to-dayexistence.3.Theprotagonist’sUncleandAuntseemaccustomedtolivingthekindofmonotonouslife.Theboysimaginedbeautyandromance:1.“Ihadneverspokentoher,exceptforafewcasualwords,andyethernamewaslikeasummonstoallmyfoolishblood.”(lines48-49)2.“Herimageaccompaniedmeeveninplacesthemosthostiletoromance.”(line50)3.“IdidnotknowwhetherIwouldeverspeaktoherornotor,ifIspoketoher,howIcouldtellherofmyconfusedadoration.Butmybodywaslikeaharpandherwordsandgestureswerelikefingersrunninguponthewires.”(61-63)4.Thegirlwasevennameless,beingcalledMangan’ssister,butsheappearslikeanangelonearth.(2)Whyisthejourneytothebazaarsoimportanttotheboy?Hashetakenthematterover-seriously?(Thejourneyandthebuyingofsomethingisnotimportantinitself.Whatisimportantistheboy’spromisetoMangan’ssister.Theboyregardeditasasacredmissionthathehadtofulfill.Itbecameatokenofhisyouthfulloveandeverythingthatwasbeautifulandideal.)3)ExplanationandInterpretation:(Identifywhatliterarydevicethewriterusesineach(oreachpair)ofthefollowingexpressions)(1)Theotherhousesofthestreet,consciousofdecentliveswithinthem,gazedatoneanotherwithbrownimperturbablefaces.(personification)(2)a.Thelight…litupthehandupontherailing.b.thelamplight(shone)…atthehandupontherailings…(symbol)(3)a.Ikeptherbrownfigurealwaysinmyeye…b.seeingnothingbutthebrown-cladfigurecastbymyimagination..(symbol)(4)Whenwemetinthestreetthehouseshadgrownsombre.(personification)(5)GazingupintothedarknessIsawmyselfasacreaturedrivenandderidedbyvanity.(epiphany)4)SuggestedHomework:IntheshortconversationwithMangan’ssister,theboypromisedtogetsomethingforherfromthebazaar.Thejourneymadehimrealizesomething,butapromisewasstillapromisethoughthegirlmightnottakeitseriously.Supposeyouweretheboyandwantedtoexplainandapologizefornotbeingabletofulfillyourpromise.Nowwriteafewlinesonapieceofpaperandtrytosliptheletterintoherhandnexttimeyoumeether.Forreferenceonly:“IthinkIhavetohumblyapologizetoyouforbeingunabletodosomethingthatIhavepromised.I’msureyourememberthatinourlastshortconversationItoldyouIwouldgototheBazaarforyouandbuyyouagift.However,itwasunfortunatethatcircumstancespreventedmefromdoingthislittleserviceforyou.Pleasedon’tfeeldisappointed.IseriouslypromiseIwillgetyousomethingsomehow,evenjusttoprovethatIamsincere.I’llkeepthatpromise,andyou,intheheartofmine.Trulyyours”UnitEightFrankStockton:TheLadyortheTiger?1)QuestionsforDiscussion:(Suggestedanswersforreference)(1)Whydidn’tthekingapproveofthelovebetweenhisdaughterandtheyoungmanofhiscourt?(Becauseofthedifferenceinsocialpositions,oneistheprincess,theotherisalowlycourtier.Thekingwouldnotcarewhethertherewastruelovebetweenthem.)(2)Whydidtheprincesslovethecourtiersomuch?Canyoubrieflydescribewhatsortofpersonshewas?(Theprincesswasa“ferventandimperious”person,likeherfather.Shealsoinheritedfromherfatherthesemi-barbaricnatureandhadhotbloodthatmadehercarelittleabouttheconsequences.Whatismore,thecourtierwas“handsomeandbravetoadegreeunsurpassedinallthiskingdom”andtheprincesswaswell-satisfiedwiththeyoungmaninspiteofhisstation.)(3)WhydidtheKingbelievethetrialofthearenawasagoodwayofsolvingsomeoftheproblemsinhiskingdom?(Intworespects.1.Generally,becauseofthesuspense,themasseswouldbeentertainedandpleased.2.“Thethinkingpartofthecommunitycouldbringnochargeofunfairnessagainstthisplan.”(lines86-87)Inthisparticularcasewiththecourtier,“Nomatterhowtheaffairturnedout,theyouthwouldbedisposedof,andthekingwouldtakeanaestheticpleasureinwatchingthecourseofevents.”(line116-117)(4)Inasense,itwasnottheyoungmanbuttheprincesswhowasactuallyunderthetrial--inthecourtofconscience.Didshesaveherlovebypointingtothedoorleadingtothelady-in-waiting,ordidsheprefertoseeherloverdieratherthanseehimmarrysomeoneshehated?(Thisisaquestionthathasnot“right”or“wrong”answers.Possiblyweshouldsay,itisnoteventheprincesswhowasactuallyputunderthetrial,itisthereaderwhoismakingadecisionaccordingtohis/herinclination.)2)ExplanationandInterpretation:(Explaintheimpliedmeaningofthefollowingsentences,andpointouttheirsignificanceinthecontextofthestory.)(1)Hewasgreatlygiventoself-communing,and,whenheandhimselfagreeduponanything,thethingwasdone.(line7)(Thatmeansthekingwasadespot.Hediscussedonlywithhimself,andtherewasnotlawtopreventhimfromanythingthathedecidedtodo.)(2)theaccusedpersonwasinstantlypunishedifhefoundhimselfguilty…(line78)(Bytheking’slogic,itwastheaccusedwhoopenedthedoorbyhisownhandandledtotheconsequences.Sotheaccusedhimself“decided”whetherheisguiltyornot.)(3)…shelovedhim(theyoungcourtier)withanardorthathadenoughofbarbarisminittomakeitexceedinglywarmandstrong.(line97)(Theloverelationwasmadewarmandstrongbytheverynaturethattheprincesshadinheritedfromhersemi-barbaricfather.)(4)Oftenhadsheseen,orimaginedthatshehadseen,thisfaircreaturethrowingglancesofadmirationuponthepersonofherlover,andsometimesshethoughttheseglanceswereperceived,andevenreturned.(line151)(Itindicatesthattheprincesswasnotreallysurethatthefairmaidhadshownherloveoradmirationforthecourtier.Theloverelationbetweenthemmightbeimagined,outoftheprincess’jealousytowardstheprettymaid.)SuggestedHomework:Writeastorysummaryin200words.Thesummarymaybeginlikethis:Forreferenceonly:(FrankStockton’s“TheLady,ortheTiger?”isastoryaboutamansentencedtoanunusualpunishmentforhavingaromancewiththeking'sbeloveddaughter.Takentothepublicarena,hewasfacedwithtwodoors,behindoneofwhichstoodafiercetiger,andbehindtheotherafairlady.Thekingwasnotsurewhetherapersonsolowinstationcouldaspiretoonesofarabovehim,butanywayputtheyoungmaninthearena.Hewaseithertobeeatenbythebeastormarriedtotheyounglady.Somehowtheprincesshadacquiredthesecrethiddenevenfromthekinghimselfandknewbehindwhichofthetwodoorsstoodawomanthatshehatedintenselyoutofjealousy.Onthedayofthetrial,thearenawasfilledwithpeoplewiththekingandtheprincesssittingoppositethetwindoors.Theyoungmanbowedtothekingandthrewaglanceattheprincess.Shemadeaquickmovementtowardtheright.Withouthesitation,hewentdirectlytothedoorontheright.Nowtheproblemremains:whatwasbehindtheclosethedoorontheright,theladyorthetiger?)KeystoUnitNineFrankO’Connor:GuestsoftheNationByFrankO’Connor1)OpinionsofUnderstanding:(1)Theargumentoverthe“NextWorld”revealsthatHawkinsandNoble_______.A.werebitterabouteachotherB.werecloseintheirrelationshipC.sharednocommonlanguageD.haddeep-rootedprejudices(2)Theoldwomanofthecottagewherethesoldiersstayedinisportrayedas______.A.anignorantcountrywomanB.apatrioticmemberofthenationC.beingrudetoboththeEnglishandtheIrishsoldiersD.havingtruehumansentimentsandemotions(3)WhydidBelcher,themanoffewwords,suddenlybecomesotalkativeinthelastsection?Explainyourchoice.A.Hewantedtocoveruphisfear.B.HewantedtoinformtheIrishladsabouthispersonallife.C.Hisdreamofanormalfamilylifesomehowexpresseditself.D.HethoughttheIrishmightlethimgoafterhearinghispastmisfortunes.(4)WhichofthefollowingconflictsisNOTimpliedasthethemeoftheshortstory?A.Theconflictbetweenfriendshipandwarreality.B.Theconflictbetweenforgivenessandhatred.C.Theconflictbetweencommonsenseandwarlogic.D.Theconflictbetweensenseofguiltandsenseofduty.(5)Accordingtoyourunderstanding,whichofthefollowingdescriptionsbestsuitsthecharacterDonovan?A.Hiswasacold-bloodedkiller.B.Hewasatrainedandhardenedmilitaryofficer.C.Hewasanunthinkingandunsympatheticservantofwar.D.Hewasalsoavictimofwar.2)QuestionsforDiscussion:(Suggestedanswersforreference)(1)Whydoyouthinktheauthorchose“GuestsoftheNation”asthetitleoftheshortstory?(Obviously,“guests”inthetitlereferstothetwoEnglishprisoners,and“thenation”referstoIreland.Unconsciously,theIrishguardsreferredtothemas“ourguests”ratherthan“enemysoldiers.”Thefourofthemcouldplaycardstogether,orargueonsometopicsandgenerallyenjoyedthetimetheyspenttogether.It’sironicthatthe“guests”werefinallyshotfordoingnothingwrongontheirpart.)(2)WhatwerethereasonsforkillingHawkinsandBelcher?Weretheygoodreasons?Theanswercanbebothyesandno.Pleasesupportyourargument.Mostofthe“reasons”justifyingthekillingofHawkinsandBelcheraregivenbythepettyofficeDonovan:1."Theenemyhaveprisonersbelongingtous"'hesays,"andnowthey'retalkingofshootingthem.Iftheyshootourprisoners,we'llshoottheirs."(lines125-126)2."TherewerefourofourfellowsshotinCorkthismorningandnowyou'retobeshotasareprisal."(lines219-220)3."IneversaidIhadanythingagainstyou.Butwhydidyourpeopletakeoutfourofourprisonersandshootthemincoldblood?"(lines236-237)4."…becauseyou'dknowyou'dbeshotfornotdoingit."(line269)5."Youunderstandthatwe'reonlydoingourduty?"(line243)Onetheonehand,thesearegoodreasonsbecausethewardemandssuchactions:soldiersshouldobeyorders,tofulfilltheirduty,ortheywouldbeshotfordisobeyingorders;violenceshouldberepaidbyviolenceasareprisal.Butontheotherhand,thewarlogicisagainstthecommonsenseandagainsthumannature–whenpeoplecouldenjoybeingtogether,whyshouldtheykilleachother?(3)HowdoyouunderstandJ.Donovan?(Onthesurface,heseemedcold-blooded,andpersonallyexecutedthetwoEnglishmen,butifwereadverycarefulbetweenthelines,wewouldfindthathe,asapettyoffice,hadtodosomethingunpleasantinhisposition.Hewasalsoavictim,andhadtosuppresshisowntruefeelingsbeforehissubordinates.Heactuallyhadsympathywiththecapturedsoldiers,butwasnotunderstoodbyhismen.Weshouldnoticethatthenarratoris,tosomedegree,anaïvenarrator.)(4)Whatcharacteristicsofrealismcanwefindintheshortstory?1.Itisthedetailsthatmakeupthemostoftheshortstory.2.Thelanguageusediscommonspeechofcommonsoldiers.3.Theauthortriestobefaithfultothereallifeasheunderstandsit.4.Thefivemaincharactersare“smallpotatoes,”victimsoftheforcesthattheyhavenocontrolof.5.Thereisasharpcriticismoftheabsurdityofthewar.3)Explanationandinterpretation:(Explaintheimpliedmeaningofthefollowingsentences,andpointouttheirsignificanceinthecontextofthestory.)(1)Itwasn'tthehangingroundthatwasatroubletomeatallbythistime.Ihadworsethingstoworryabout.(“Worsethings”refertothetwoIrishguards’sincereconcernanddeepworryabouttheillfatethatmightbefallthetwoEnglishprisonersofwar.)(2)Irosefromthetableandcaughthimbeforehereachedthedoor."Whatdoyouwant?"Iasked.(Hearingthefootsteps,thenarratorquicklywenttothedoortostopDonovanfromcomingin.Heknewtheofficermightbebearingthebadnews,andblockedtheentrance.Unconsciously,hestoodonthesideoftheEnglish,andactedasifheweretheirprotector.)(3)…shedidn'tstopadvisingthemuntilJeremiahDonovanlosthistemperandturnedonher.Hehadanastytemper,Inoticed.(Donovanhadabadtemperthatday.Why?ThebadtempermightbecausedbythenastyjobaheadofexecutingthetwoEnglishyoungsters.Thisprobablyhadverymuchsaddenedhim.)(4)Belchersoundedasthoughwhateverunforeseenthinghe'dalwaysbeenwaitingforhadcomeatlast.(Belcherwasapersonwithfewwords,buthewasobservingandthinkingallthetime.Heseemedtoknowandanticipatethatsomethingbadmighthappentothem.)(5)Noble,justasifhecouldn'tbearanymoreofit,raisedhisfistatDonovan,andinaflashDonovanraisedhisgunandfired.(Raisinghisfistisasignal.Theunspokenwordsmightsoundlikethis:“Whydon’tyoushoot?!”NoblenoticedthatDonovanwassufferingfromintensementalpainbytalkingandtalking,andhewantedDonovantoendthatpainimmediately.)(6)"Whatdidyedowiththem?"sheaskedinawhisper,andNoblestartedsothatthematchwentoutinhishand.(Theoldladyhadonlywhisperedthequestion,butitsofrightenednoblethatthematchwentoutinhishand.Noblemusthavehadaterriblesenseofguiltandfeltasifhehimselfhadkilledhis“guests”andhaddonesomethingenormouslywrong.)UnitTenJackLondon:TheLawofLife2)OpinionsofUnderstanding:(1)OldKoskoosh’sson,thetribechief,cametosaygood-bye,andbrieflyexplainedthesituationthetribewasfacing.Hementionedsomefactorsthatforcedhimtoabandonthesicklyoldman.WhichfactorwasNOTmentioned?A.Thetribesmenhadtotravellongandfast.B.Thetribesmenhadtostarthuntingformeatimmediately.C.Sometribesmenshowedunwillingnesstotaketheoldman.D.Theloadsonthedogsledswerealreadyheavy.(2)Inhisrecollectionsofthepast,oldKoskooshrecalledtheepisodeofamoosebeinghuntedbywolves.Whatdoyouthinkisthereasonthatthisepisodewasrecalled?A.Becauseitwasthemostexcitingexperienceinhisyouth.B.Becauseitwasareflectionofhispresentsituation.C.Becauseitwassymbolicallyavitalstepintoadulthood.D.Becauseitwasanexampleofcollectivestrength.(3)WhichofthefollowingaboutoldKoskooshistrue?A.Henevershowedanypanic.B.Hehopedhissonwouldcomebacktogethim.C.Thoughold,hewassharpinallsensesoflife.D.Hequestionedthefairnessofthelawofnature.(4)Finally,oldKoskooshsaidtohimself,“Wasitnotthelawoflife?”Whatdothesewordsrevealtous?A.Hebelievedthatlifehadacycle.B.Hefinallyrealizedwhatdeathmeant.C.Hefailedtounderstandhisson’sdecision.D.Hewaspreparedtoacceptthefate.(5)WemayclassifythisshortstoryasbelongingtotheschoolofliteraryNaturalism.Allthefollowingargumentssupporttheclassificationexceptone.Whichisit?A.Becausethewriterportrayshumanbeingsasvictimsofsomelargerforces.B.Becausethewritermakesnomoraljudgmentonthebehaviorsofthecharacters.C.Becausethewriterplacesthestoryinaremotelandandtellsanexotictale.D.Becausethewriteremphasizesthedominationoftheenvironment.2)QuestionsforDiscussion:(Suggestedanswersforreference)(1)WhatdoyouthinkoftheIndiantraditionofabandoningtheirsicklyelders?Wasitthewriter’sintentiontorevealandcondemntheinhumaneandinhumanpractice?(Fromourperspective,suchpracticeisofcoursecruelandinhuman,butthewriter’scentralconcernistoprovideanillustrationandtoexplainoneidea:thathumanbeingsare“determined”by“thelawofnature”–thelargerforcesoftheuniverseaswellastheirownbiologicalnature.Theideaexpressedintheshortstoryistypicalinnaturalisticliterature.)(2)Whathasthesettingtodowiththethemeoftheshortstory?(Naturalistwritershavespecialpreferencetocertainsettingsthatcanprovide“laboratoryconditions,”sothatthestoriescanconveytheirunderstandingoftherelationshipofmanandthenaturalorsocialforces.Thearcticregionwithinwhichthestoryof“TheLawofLife”occurs,intensifiesthehumanstrugglewiththeNature,andthusisidealinbringingoutthebasicconceptionofNaturalisminliterature.)(3)Whatis“thelawoflife”?Canyouunderlinesomeofthewordsinthestorythatexplainwhatthe“law”is?Theideasabout“thelawoflife”ismostlyexpressedinthereflectionofOldKoskoosh:1.Hedidnotcomplain.Itwasthewayoflife,anditwasjust.Hehadbeenbornclosetotheearth,closetotheearthhadhelived,andthelawthereofwasnotnewtohim.Itwasthelawofallflesh.Naturewasnotkindlytotheflesh.Shehadnoconcernforthatconcretethingcalledtheindividual.Herinterestlayinthespecies,therace.(lines68-72)2.Theriseofthesap,theburstinggreennessofthewillowbud,thefalloftheyellowleaf—inthisalonewastoldthewholehistory.Butonetaskdidnaturesettheindividual.Didhenotperformit,hedied.Didheperformit,itwasallthesame,hedied.Naturedidnotcare….(lines73-78)3.Thereforeitwastruethatthetribelived,thatitstoodfortheobedienceofallitsmembers,waydownintotheforgottenpast,whoseveryrestingplaceswereunremembered.Theydidnotcount;theywereepisodes.Theyhadpassedawaylikecloudsfromasummersky.Healsowasanepisode,andwouldpassaway.(lines80-83)4.Naturedidnotcare.Tolifeshesetonetask,gaveonelaw.Toperpetuatewasthetaskoflife,itslawwasdeath.(lines83-85)5.(Determinedtogiveuphisclingtolife)Koskooshdroppedhisheadwearilyuponhisknees.Whatdiditmatterafterall?Wasitnotthelawoflife?(202-203)(4)OnwhatbasiscanwecategorizethisshortstoryasapieceofNaturalisticwriting?1.ThesettinghighlightstheconflictbetweenmanandNature.2.Thenaturalforceseemstobeoverwhelmingwhilethehumaneffortsareratherfutile.MancanonlyadapttoNatureratherthanchangeit.3.Thestoryrevealsthepessimisticattitudeonthepartofthewriter.4.Thereisaprevailingsenseofdeterminismandamoralism.3)Explanationandinterpretation:(Explaintheimpliedmeaningofthefollowingsentences,andpointouttheirsignificanceinthecontextofthestory.)(1)Helistened,whowouldlistennomore.(OldKoskooshknewwhatwasgoingtohappen.Whilehewasstillaliveandlistening,hewouldsoondieand“listennomore.”)(2)Thenhishandcreptoutinhastetothewood.Italonestoodbetwixthimandtheeternitywhichyawneduponhim.(Theword“eternity”heremeansdeath.Theoldman’slifedefendedonthissmallpileofwoodthatcouldsupplywarmthandkeepthewolvesaway.Whenthewoodburntout,Death,withitsmouthopen,wouldquicklyswallowhim.)(3)Naturewasnotkindlytotheflesh.Shehadnoconcernforthatconcretethingcalledtheindividual.Herinterestlayinthespecies,therace.(AccordingtoDarwin’stheoryofsurvivalofthefittest,thelivingbeingshaveadaptedtotheenvironmentinthelonghistoryofevolution.Inthatlongprocess,accordingtothenaturallaw,onlythesurvivalofthegroup,ofthespecies,hassignificance.Naturedoesnotcareforindividualsurvival.Onlythegroupthatfitstheenvironmenthasachangetocontinue.)(4)Forawhilehelistenedtothesilence.Perhapstheheartofhissonmightsoften…(Theoldman’sreflectionrevealsthathe,alikeanyindividual,wishedtobegivenachancetolive.Eventhoughheunderstoodthelawofnatureandhadabraveheartinfacingdeath,hestillhadanaturalandhumanlyyearningforlife.)KeystoUnitElevenJamesThurber:TheSecretLifeofWalterMitty1)OpinionsofUnderstanding:(1)WhichofthefollowingadjectivesbestdescribesWalterMitty’sreallife?A.Colorful.B.Uneventful.C.Noble.D.Exciting.(2)WhichofthefollowingisanunsuitableadjectivetodescribeWalterMitty’swife?A.Fussy.B.Bossy.C.Considerate.D.Unsympathetic.(3)Whatsortof“secretlife”ofWalterMittydoesthe“hospitaloperationroom”episoderevealtous?A.Hedesiresforalifeofromanceandexcitement.B.Hewishestomakegloriouscontributionstothenation.C.Heyearnstobeanimportantandrespectedperson.D.Hewouldratherbeaheroicvictimthananobody.(4)Whatsortof“thesecretlife”ofWalterMittydothe“courtroomtrial”andthe“executionbyafiringsquad”episodesrevealtous?A.Hedesiresforalifeofromanceandexcitement.B.Hewishestomakegloriouscontributionstothenation.C.Heyearnstobeanimportantandrespectedman.D.Hewouldratherbeaheroicvictimthannobody.(5)Whatistheauthor’sattitudetothecharacterheportrays?A.Critical.B.Mocking.C.Sympathetic.D.Scornful.2)Questionsfordiscussion:(Suggestedanswersforreference)(1)Howarerealityandfantasyassociatedinthisstory?Giveexamples.(Usuallyitisinthisway:somethinginthereallife,forexample,doing,seeingorhearingsomething,wouldtriggersoffsomefantasy.Drivingacarleadingtothefantasyofpilotingahydroplane;puttingonglovesandhearingthenameofDr.Renshawleadingtotheoperationepisode;hearinganewspaperboyshoutingsomethingaboutthetrialleadingtothecourtroomepisode;sittinginthelobbyandreadingnewsaboutSecondWorldWarleadingtothebomber-pilotepisodeandstandingagainstthewallofadrug-storeleadingtotheepisodeoffacingafiringsquad.)(2)DoesMittyappeartobeacomic,grotesque,andridiculousperson?(Itisnottheauthor’sintentiontoshowtheridiculoussideofMitty’slife.Throughcreationofsuchacharacter,thewriterintendstorevealtheunfortunatelifeofsomecitydwellers.Theirlives,likethatofMitty’s,aresuffocatedbythemonotonyandtrivialityofthemodernmiddle-classlife.Thedaydreamsseemtobetheonlyescapefromthemeaninglessrepetitionoftheday-to-dayexistence.)(3)FindoutwhatisincommoninthefivepiecesofMitty’sdaydream:thehydroplane,themedicaloperation,thetrial,thebomberandtheexecution.WhatdothesefantasiesrevealtoyouaboutWalterMitty?(Thesepiecesofdaydreamshaveonethingincommoninwhichlifeismoreadventurous,moreheroicormoreexcitingthantheactualexistence,andinwhichheisabrave,respectedorevenatragiccentralfigure,ratherthananobodydominatedbyanbossywife.)(4)Howdoyouliketheendingofthestory?Whatisyourinterpretation?(Thereisatragicsenseinthelastepisode–themanbeingexecuted.Thismayrevealtheinnerwishoftheprotagonistthathewouldratherbeaheroicvictimthanapersonofnosignificance.Andalso,thereisahintoftragedyinhislife.)(5)CompareWalterMittywithCervantes’DonQuixode(唐·吉诃德).Whatsimilaritiesanddifferencesdoyoufindinthetwocharacters?(Mitty’sdaydreamsembodytheclichésofadventureorwarfictionandmovies.WhileCervantes’DonQuixodeisalsoinfluencedbythepopularromanceofhistimeandridiculouslyactsouthisfantasies,Mittydoesnotevenhavecouragetodothatandseemssatisfiedwithdreamingaboutasortofheroismasanescapefromtheimprisonmentintriviality.Inthissense,heisamodernDonQuixode)3)Explanationandinterpretation:(Explaintheimpliedmeaningofthefollowingsentences,andpointouttheirsignificanceinthecontextofthestory.)(1)Helookedathiswife,intheseatbesidehim,withshockedastonishment.Sheseemedgrosslyunfamiliar,likeastrangewomanwhohadyelledathiminacrowd.(Mittywaslostinhisdaydream,andwassuddenlyawakenedfromitandtheworldaroundhimseemedratherunfamiliar.)(2)"You'retensedupagain,"saidMrs.Mitty."It'soneofyourdays.Iwishyou'dletDr.Renshawlookyouover."(“Tensedup”referstoMitty’sstateoffantasizing.Hiswife’swordsindicatethatMittyhadahabitoffallingintodaydreamsandhadonceconsultedadoctorforthisproblem.)(3)Heputthem(gloves)on,butaftershehadturnedandgoneintothebuildingandhehaddrivenontoaredlight,hetookthemoffagain.(Heobeyedtohiswifehumbly,butwhenshedidnotseehim,hebookthemoffasandactofrebellion.)(4)"Backitup,Mac!LookoutforthatBuick!"WalterMittyjammedonthebrakes."Wronglane,Mac,"saidtheparking-lotattendant.(Hedidn’tseemtobeabletodoanythingwellandevenaparkinglotattendantcouldorderandcriticizehim.Thisaddstohissenseofdepression,ofbeingnobody.)(5)Then,withthatfaint,fleetingsmileplayingabouthislips,hefacedthefiringsquad;erectandmotionless,proudanddisdainful…(Thelastepisodeofthefantasyrevealsthemixedfeelingsofbeingavictimandbeingahero.TheendseemsinevitablytragicbuttoMitty’simagination,maintainingasortofheroismispossible.Mittyfeltthathewasbeatendownbylife,butinhishearthestillkepthighaspirations.)SuggestedHomeworkAllowWalterMittytocontinuehisfantasyoncehearrivedhomefromtheshoppingtripwithhiswife.Usingyourimaginationandwriteaparagraphthatmaybeginlikethis:Heparkedhiscar.Inafewquicksteps,herushedtothedoorandpusheditopenwithdeterminedsuddenness.“Handsup,gentlemen!”hesaid.Forreferenceonly:Heparkedhiscar.Inafewquicksteps,herushedtothedoorandpusheditopenwithdeterminedsuddenness.“Handsup,gentlemen!”hesaid,pointinghisgunatthethreemensittingthere.“FBI.Wehavebeenfollowingyouforquitesometime.”Themenintheroomweretotallyunprepared.Tworaisedtheirhandsovertheirheads,onehesitatedandquietlymovedhisrighthandtoapistolonthecoffeetable.Heaimshisgunatthatman,“pushthatpistoltome,slowly.That’sright.It’snousetryingtodoanythingfunny,letmewarnyou.”“Whydowalksoquicklyandpushopenthedoorlikethis?Gobacktogetthethingsinthecar!”hiswifesaidangrily.KeystoUnitTwelveDonaldBarthelme:TheGlassMountain1)QuestionsforDiscussion:(Suggestedanswersforreference)(1)Doyoufindanythingunusualaboutthestructureofthestory?Whydoyouthinkthewriterchoosesthismannerofnarration?(Firstly,thetitlesoundsstrange–thereisno“glassmountain”intherealworld.Secondly,theshortstoryismadeupof100sentencesandeachsentenceisnumbered.Thetitle,ifoneisfamiliarwithEuropeanfairytales,remindsoneofapopularstory.Thestructureisveryunusual,subvertingtheestablishedformoffictionwritingandcreatingafalseperfectionwiththestorybeginningatSentenceOneandendingatSentenceOneHundred.Theauthorseemstobeingmockingattheliteraryconventionbyinventingaformthatlooksgrotesque.)(2)Whatsortofpersonisthenarrator,thefirst-person“I”whotriestoclimbtheglassmountain?(Judgingfromwhatgoesoninhismind,wefindthattheclimbermightbeanintellectual,orawriter,asheisfamiliarwithfairytalesandtalksaboutthedefinitionof“symbol”etc.So,theclimbingcanbeseennotasactual,butasimaginedandpsychological.Heisverymuchdissatisfiedwiththerealitydown“atthebottomofthemountain,”butthefanciful“goldencastle”isunattainable.Hefindshimselfstrandedinthemiddle.Herepresentsthespiritualplightofthe“ModernMan.”)(3)Therearealotofsymbolsinthestorysuchastheglassmountain,thegoldencastle,thedeadknights,theenchantedprincess,theclimberandtheactofclimbing.Canyoutrytoexplaintheirsymbolicmeanings?(Theglassmountain:themoderncitylife,ortheimpossibleprocessofachievingmeaningThegoldencastle:anidealgoalthatisnothingbutillusionThefallenknights:thedeadordyingtraditionTheenchantedprincess:aimorrewardofhardendeavorTheclimber:amodernmaninpredicament,tryingtoachieveself-realizationTheclimbing:thedifficultandimpossibleprocesstowardthegoalThestreetscene:therealcitylifeofconfusionandchaosTheclimbingironsandplumber’sfriends:theridiculousmeansforthe“grand”taskThe“acquaintances”:theuncultured,unmanneredgenerationofpeople.)(4)Howdoyouinterprettheendingofthestory?(Throughimagination,withtheeaglecarryinghimtouptothepalace,theclimberfinallyreachesthecastle.Butwithhis“goldentouch,”thesymbolchangesintoaprincess,likeclichéinoldstories,andtheclimberisdisappointedanddisillusioned.Heseemstohaverealizedthatthewholethingisnothingbutfairy-talefantasy.)(5)Thewholestoryappearstobeveryabsurd.Whatsortofrealitycanyouseebehindtheapparentabsurdity?(Despitetheabsurdityintheformandcontents,wecanfindintheshortstoryalotofthingsthatarerelatedtotherealityintheWest,asthewriterseesit:1.thenarrator/climber’ssenseoffrustrationandalienation2.thelifeofconfusionanddisorderinthecity3.people’sinabilitytoachieveastateofglory4.thelossoftradition5.thereplacementofculturebyhooliganism.6.thelossofaimandmeaninginlifewithonlyimaginedidealismwhichoneknowsisunrealizable.)2)ExplanationandInterpretation:(Explaintheimpliedmeaningofthefollowingsentences,andpointouttheirsignificanceinthecontextofthestory.)(1)18.ThemountaintowersoverthatpartofEighthAvenuelikesomesplendid,immenseofficebuilding.(“EighthAvenue”suggeststhelocationisacity,possiblyNewYork,andtheglassmountainisaglass-surfacedmodernskyscraper.Itindeedisanofficebuilding.)(2)78.Myacquaintancesweredebatingthequestion,whichofthemwouldgetmyapartment?(Theywerecertainthattheclimber“I”wouldinevitablyfallanddieintheend,likeallthe“knights.”)(3)80.“Atthesamemomentadooropened,andhesawacourtyardfilledwithflowersandtrees,andthere,thebeautifulenchantedprincess.”(TheYellowFairyBook)96.Atthesamemomentadooropened,andIsawacourtyardfilledwithflowersandtrees,andthere,thebeautifulenchantedsymbol.(Inthepopularfairytale,theultimateaimoftheheroistorescuethe“princess,”butthemodernclimberfoundittobenomorethanamere“symbol,”–somethingabstract,remote,anddevoidofsolidmeaning.)(4)97.Iapproachedthesymbol,withitslayersofmeaning,butwhenItouchedit,itchangedintoonlyabeautifulprincess.(Asymbolcanbeinterpreteddifferently–withitslayersofmeaning,butthepopularculturepointstoonlyonedirectionofinterpretation.Thesymbolofhappyending,asinnumeroustales,isrepresentedbytheunionofthebraveandthebeautiful:“theyouthmarriedtheprincessandlivedhappilyeverafter.”Theclimberseemstodislikethiskindofwishfulfantasy.)(5)98.Ithrewthebeautifulprincessheadfirstdownthemountaintomyacquaintances.(Obviously,thisisanactofgreatdisappointment.Theclimberseemstobetotallydisillusionedattheoutcome,havingrealizedtheimpossibilityandfutilityofsuchanattempt.Hesubvertshisownpurposeoftryingtoachievesomethingheroicorglorious.)精选范本