1、Honesty and responsibilityWelcomeB7 U1 Do you think you are an honest and responsible person?Read the two lists and answer the following questions.1. What do you think is the relationship between honesty and responsibility according to the descriptions?2. What other descriptions of honesty and respo
2、nsibility can you add to the lists?1. What do you think is the relationship between honesty and responsibility according to the descriptions?They are inevitably connected to one another. For example,you are acting responsibly if you take agreements seriously, and practising honesty when you keep pro
3、mises and do not make promises you cannot keep. When you areprepared to admit mistakes and think about how your actions will affect others, you are showing your trustworthiness. All these actions demonstrate the relationship between acting honestly and responsibly.2. What other descriptions of hones
4、ty and responsibility can you add to the lists?Practising honesty includes accepting yourself. If you do that, you will not feel pressured to create untruths, for you will be comfortable with who you are. In turn,others will respect you for your honesty and know that they can trust you.Practising re
5、sponsibility also requires the willingness to clear up misunderstandings with others. Often situations arise in which you and the other person maymisunderstand one another and want to react negatively. However, the responsible action is to have a nice discussion and explain your thoughts. Taking thi
6、s action shows a willingness not only to work through a difficult circumstance, but also to establish good relations with others.If you are an honest and responsible monitor, but you see your best friend cheat in the exam, will you tell the teacher truth? B7 U1 Reading At the end of the class, you w
7、ill be able to:1. identify the plot of the story;2. summarize the personality of the two main characters;3. understand the message of the story.Learning objectivesA world-famous American short story writer.Writing theme(主题主题) ：How about the ending?O. Henrythe everyday life ordinary people New York C
8、itysurprise endingsO. Henry style endingsIn these endings, there will be a sudden twist (change) that results in an unexpected change of the characters inner world, experience, destiny, etc, thus creating an unexpected yet understandable result. Such endings will make the story more appealing and dr
9、amatic, as well as more memorable for its readers.O.Henrys works Background information: After Twenty Years is set in the early 1900s, near the end of Americas Westward Expansion (美国西进运动美国西进运动), which started in the early 1800s. During the expansion, many Americans went to the West (美国西部美国西部) to mak
10、e money. New York City is located in the north-east of the US and was already a big city by then.1. What is the most difficult choice you have made in your life so far?Pre-readingI used to play for our schools basketball team. We would have regular training sessions at least three times a week, with
11、 games every other weekend. Since it took up too much time, I was struggling to cope with my studies, which resulted in my average academic performance. My parents were not happy, and neither was I. At the end of last term, I decided to drop out of the team. It was such a difficult choice because I
12、had a real enthusiasm for basketball. Luckily, I havent given up basketball altogether, and I play for fun with my friends when I have some free time. 2. Do you think time can change a person? Why or why not? Yes, I think time can change a person. Our bodies change physically over time. Besides, peo
13、ple are capable of learning from the experiences they have had and the people they have met along the way, so their ideas and behaviour may be influenced accordingly. No, I dont think time can change a person. Even though a persons body shape can change a lot over time, certain physical features, es
14、pecially on the face, generally wont change unless he or she undergo plastic surgery for some reason. Besides, a persons most basic nature and characteristics are deeply rooted in his or her early life experiences; they tend to remain more or less the same throughout the persons life. 3. Do you thin
15、k friendship can change with time? I think friendship can change with time, especially over a long time. In truth, it is not easy to maintain a friendship. As we grow mature, some friends that once “fit” no longer do and we move on. Hopefully, this change occurs slowly and naturally over time and wi
16、thout much stress attached.I. Scan the story and answer the questions.(1) Why did Bob stand in the doorway of a store to wait for his friend?The store used to be “Big Joe” Bradys restaurant, where the two men had agreed to meet.(2) Why had Bob left New York twenty years before?Bob had wanted to head
17、 for the West to make his fortune.(3) What time did the man in the long overcoat meet Bob? Around 10:20 p.m.(4) How did Bob realize that the man in the long overcoat was not Jimmy?Bob realized this when he saw the mans face in the bright light of the drugstore.(5) When did Jimmy know Bob was the cri
18、minal wanted in Chicago? When Bob struck the match to light his cigar.(5) Resolution:_(2) Rising action:_ _(3) Climax:_(4) Falling action:_II. Skim the story and complete the plot diagram.Bob received a note from Jimmy Wells that explained his actions.Bob met Jimmy, and the two talked about old time
19、s.Bob realized that the man was not his best friend, Jimmy Wells.The man arrested Bob.(1) Introduction:Jimmy went to see his friend Bob at the agreed location.Now read the note from the original ending and find out what actually happened.Why couldnt Jimmy arrest Bob himself ? Loyalty to_Devotion to
20、_ friend dutyJimmy had mixed feelings. He knew what his duty was. But the memories of their friendship, the expressions of Bobs respect and admiration for him and the fact that Bob had come all the way keep the appointment they made 20 years ago must have deeply touched him.Do you think that Jimmy d
21、id the right thing? Why or why not? LawFriendsBecause Jimmy was a policeman after all, whose duty was to protect the security (安全安全) of the whole society.Find out the sentences that describe Jimmy and the man, and try to infer(推断推断) their personalities.III. Conclude the characterization of Jimmy and
22、 Bob. CharacterEvidenceInterpretation JimmyThe policeman on the beat walked along the street as he always did. (Line 1)(1) “Ill be on my way,” said the policeman. (Line 28)(2)“I was at the appointed place on time.” (Line 56) (3)Anyhow I couldnt arrest you myself, so I got a plain-clothes man to do t
23、he job. (Lines 5758)(4)a dutiful police officer careful and thoughtfulloyal to their friendshiprigid about his principlesa dutiful police officer CharacterEvidenceInterpretation BobHis scarfpin was a large diamond, oddly set. (Lines 1112)(5)The waiting man pulled out a handsome watch, set with small
24、 diamonds. (Line 26)The next morning, I was to leave New York and travel to the West to make my fortune. (Lines 1516)(6)“Well, we kept in touch for a year or two, and then we lost contact. But I know Jimmy will meet me here if hes alive, for he always was the truest and most reliable fellow in the w
25、orld. Hell never forget. I came a thousand miles to stand in this doorway tonight, and its worthwhile if my old partner turns up.” (Lines 2225)(7)showy, loving luxuries ambitiousloyal to their friendshipCharacterEvidenceInterpretation Bob“It has given me everything I asked it for.” (Line 37)(8)The m
26、an from the West was beginning to outline the history of his career. (Lines 4143)“Youve been under arrest for ten minutes, Silky Bob. Chicago police thought you might have dropped over our way and wired us.” (Lines 5153)(9)egoistic and boastfulchooses a wrong path to make his fortuneConclusion (10)J
27、immyBobLoyal and faithful to t h e i r friendship a police officer responsible and devoted to his duty not flexible a criminal ambitious trying illegal ways to achieve his goal egoistic and boastful showy1. What do you think is the message of this short story?2. If you were Jimmy Wells, what would y
28、ou do when you found out Bob was the wanted criminal?DiscussionI believe the message of this story is that a persons responsibility to society should be stronger than a friendship.I would try to handle such a situation as calmly and effectively as Jimmy Wells, but I cant be sure I could do it. I mig
29、ht have trouble hiding my expression of shock the moment I recognized Bob as the Chicago criminal.1. How do you think Bob would react when he read the note?2. How did Bob feel when he finally got out of the jail?3. Do you want to introduce other characters in the ending? If so, who are they?4. Where
30、 will the ending take place?5. What has happened to Bob and Jimmy over the past twenty years?6. How will the story end?Supposing the story did not end here, what would happen next?Silky Bob shook his head in disbelief. Hed spoken to Jimmy, yet failed torecognize his old friends face and voice. Bob f
31、elt disappointed thinking about how Jimmy pretended to be a stranger to him, but still wanted to believe that Jimmy was the truest and most reliable fellow in the world. Could I speak to Jimmy, I mean Patrolman Wells? Bob asked, on arriving at the station.A few minutes later, Jimmy appeared, and Bob
32、 could see sadness in his eyes.Hello, Bob. Im glad you kept our appointment after twenty years, but Im sorry it had to end this way.Bob hung his head in shame, Me too. Seeing you again has reminded me of who I used to be. I shouldve stayed here with you twenty years ago. At least you would have help
33、ed me distinguish right from wrong.Jimmy put his hand on Bobs shoulder and said, Ill always be your friend and Ill help you be the good old Bob again. The first step is to take responsibility for your illegal actions.Bob nodded and walked into his jail cell as the door was locked behind him.Write yo
34、ur own ending. It was a cold winter night when Bob came out of jail. After twenty years behind bars, he felt like a stranger to the city and everyone in it . Lost and helpless, he didnt know where to go or whom to go to . A year after he had been arrested , his wife had left him and taken their daug
35、hter with her. Former good friends had cut all contact with him. “Is there anyone here who still thinks of me ?” he wondered bitterly. Recalling the night twenty years earlier that had completely changed his life, he wandered blindly through the streets. In the dim light of a streetlamp, he noticed
36、an old man sitting on a bench. “ Another lonely man, just like me,” he thought to himself. “Bob,” the old man looked up. Although twenty years had passed, he could still recognize the face-Jimmys face. “ Im here for our meeting, though I dont know if you still want it. Anyway, welcome home, buddy” “ Long time no see,” murmured Bob , his voice trembling. The uncertainty was gone. He now had a home.Homework1.Act it out with your group members.2. Read other short stories written by O. Henry to get a deep understanding of his works and the surprise ending to his stories.Thank you!
