1、The Ones Who Walk Away from OmelasUrsula Le GuinUnit90.01Teaching Plan0.02Teaching ObjectivesnTo enable the students to learn about an allegorical storynTo familiarize students with science fictionnTo discuss the topic “what is happiness and on what real happiness depends”0.03Teaching FocusnUtopia,
2、an ideal society for human beings, is a long-pursued dream and we have had various types of it from Plato to Thomas Moore and others. Is it true? Can it become true?0.04nIt is a science fiction, an allegory, a Utopia or a mixture. Anyhow the focus is the story itself: what can we get from it? nAll f
3、igures of speech applied. A cast of characters. The description of the child. nHow does the author convey his ideal of her ideal society? 0.05Teaching Methods1.Teacher-oriented teaching method2.Student-oriented teaching method3.The elicited method0.06Teaching Procedure. Introductory Remarks. Backgro
4、und Information. Learning Focus. Key words and Expressions. Explanation of the Text0.07. Division of the Text. The Writing Style. Rhetorical Devices. Exercises0.08Introductory Remarks0.09. Introductory Remarksna piece of allegorical writingn provocative thementhe nature of happiness and on what it d
5、ependsndescribing the eventsna. the Festival of Summernb. march in processionnc. a horse race 0.010npeople of Omelas not simple but happynthe basis of their happinessn a just discrimination of what is necessarynWhat is neither necessary nor destructive, and what is destructive.0.011nno monarchy, sla
6、very, or any commercial, political or military institution, and no guiltna child locked in a tiny room and mistreatedna terrible justice of realitynAll the happiness of Omelas is based on its suffering.0.012nthe nature and basis of happinessnShould happiness of the many be based upon the suffering o
7、f the few? nan open, thought-provoking endingnSome people leave Omelas after seeing the child.0.013Detailed Study of the Text0.014. Background InformationnUrsula Le Guin nAmerican Science fiction writernborn in Berkeley, Californian studied at Radcliff College and Columbia Universitynprolific writer
8、 both for adults and children0.015nHer worksn“Hain” novelsnRocannons world (1966) nThe Left Hand of Darkness (1969)nHer “ Earthsea” trilogynA wizard of Earthsea (1968)nThe Tombs of Atuan (1971)nThe Farthest Shore (1972)0.016nWilliam James nAmerican Philosopher and Psychologistnborn in New York Cityn
9、teaching anatomy, physiology and philosophynhelped found the American Society for Physical research0.017nHis booksnThe Principles of Psychology (1890)nThe Will to Believe (1897)nThe Varieties of Religious Experience (1902)0.018nThree principal aspects of his philosophynvoluntarismnpragmatismn “radic
10、al empiricism”0.019nAllegoryna symbolic story that serves as a disguised representation for meanings other than those indicated on the surfacenThe characters often have no individual personality, but are embodiments of moral qualities and other abstractions. 0.020nAllegorynclosely related to the par
11、able, fable, and metaphor, differing from them largely in intricacy and length0.021. Learning FocusnStylena piece of allegorical description ndescribing the city of Omelas and its citizens ndwelling on a provocative theme: the nature of happiness and on what happiness depends.0.022nrefuting the view
12、 that pain is intellectual and evilnconcluding that the happiness of the many is based on the suffering of a fewnintroducing the misery and suffering of a child nputting forward the problemnallowing the readers to give free rein to their imagination.0.023nWords and Phrasesnsparkle with na shimmering
13、 of ndodge in and out nrise to the occasion nin the silence of0.024nfarther and nearer nbreak into ndulcet shepherdsnfestered sores nto the touch nimbecile through fear nin communion with 0.025nin rank nsit hunchednfumble with npeer in atnscream for nseep in npoignancy nabominable misery 0.026nbrood
14、 overnclamornmauve ntambourine nlithe nsnivel nvapid0.027. Key words and Expressionsnrigging (n.): tackle，esp. the chains, ropes, etc., used for supporting and working in the masts, sails, yards, etc., of a vesseln decorous (adj.): characterized by or showing decorum, propriety, good taste, etc.0.02
15、8n mauve (n.): any of several shades or delicate purplentambourine (n.): a shallow, single-headed hand drum having jingling metal disks in the rim0.029ndodge (v.): move or twist quickly aside; shift suddenly, as to avoid a blownlithe (adj.): bending easily; flexible; supple; limber; lissomen gear (n
16、.): a harness0.030nhalter (n.): a rope, cord, strap, etc., usually with a headstall, for tying or leading an animal; a bitless headstall, with or without a lead ropenmane (n.): the long hair growing from the top or sides of the neck of certain animals, as the horse, lion, etc.0.031nbraid (v.): inter
17、weave three or more strands of (hair, straw, etc.)nnostril (n.): either of the external openings of the nose0.032nprance (v.): (said of a horse) rise up on the hind legs in a lively way, esp. while moving alongnarchaic (adj.): antiquated; old-fashioned; ancient0.033nstallion (n.): an uncastrated mal
18、e horse, esp. one used as a studnbarbarian (n.): member of a people or group with a civilization regarded as primitive, savage, etc.0.034ndulcet (adj.): sweet-sounding; pleasant; calmingnutopian (n.): a person who believes m a utopia, esp. of a social or political nature; visionary0.035ntreason (n.)
19、: betrayal of trust or faith; betrayal of ones countrynbanal (adj.): dull or stale as because of overuse; trite; hackneyed; commonplace0.036nexuberance (n.): the state or quality of being exuberant; great abundance; luxuriancenpuritanical (adj.): of the Puritans; extremely or excessively strict in m
20、atters of morals and religion0.037nlanguor (n.): a lack of vigor or vitality; weakness: indifference; lethargynarcane (adj.): hidden or secret0.038nmagnanimous (adj.): noble in mind; high-souled; generous in overlooking injury or insult; rising above pettiness or meannessnprovisioner (n.): the perso
21、n who supplies with provisions, esp. with a stock of food0.039namiable (adj.): having a pleasant and friendly disposition; good-naturednsticky (adj. colloq.): overly sentimental: maudlin: adhesive0.040nbenign (adj.): good-natured; kindlynpastry (n.): flour dough or paste made with shortening and use
22、d for the crust of pies, tarts, etc.; foods made with this0.041nrapt (adj.): completely absorbed or engrossed (in meditation, study, etc.) nimperious (adj.): overbearing; arrogant; urgent; imperative0.042nneigh (v.) : utter the loud, characteristic cry of a horse: whinnynseep (v.): leak, drip, or fl
23、ow out slowly through small openings or pores; ooze0.043ncobweb (v.): cover with or as with the web spun by a spiderndefective (adj.): having a defect or defects; imperfect; faulty0.044nimbecile (n.): showing feeble intellect; foolish or stupidnmalnutrition (n.): faulty or inadequate nutrition; poor
24、 nourishment resulting from insufficient food, improper diet, etc.0.045nfumble (v.): make (ones way) clumsily or by groping; handle (a thing) clumsily or unskillfullyngenitals (n.): the reproductive organs0.046nhunch (v.) : sit or stand with the back archednrattle (v.) : make a series of sharp，short
25、 sounds m quick succession0.047nwhine (v.): utter a peevish, high-pitched, somewhat nasal sound, as in complaint, distress, fear, etc.; complain or beg in a childishly undignified way, as with a whinenbuttocks (n.): the rump0.048nfester (v.): form pus; ulcerate; decaynexcrement (n.): waste, matter f
26、rom the bowels; feces0.049nimpotence (n.): the quality or condition of being impotent, weaknparadox (n.): a statement that is self-contradictory in fact and, hence, false; a person, situation, act, etc. that seems to have contradictory or inconsistent qualities0.050nuncouth (adj.): uncultured; crude
27、; boorish; awkwardnvapid (adj.): tasteless; flavorless; flat; dull; boring0.051npoignant (adj.): emotionally touching or movingnpoignancy n. nsnivel (v.): cry and sniffle; have mucus running from the nose0.052. Explanation of the Text1) far off: far a awaynFar away to the edge of cliff stood an eagl
28、e.2) rise to the occasion: show that one is equal to what needs to be done -This system is designed in such a way that it can rise to the occasion.0.0533) in communion with: have a special relationship with sth. in which one feels that he understands it very well4) brood on / over (sth.): think abou
29、t for a long time -He lay in the shade of the tree brooding over whether life was worth living.0.054. Division of the TextnPart I paras.1-6: nIt focuses on the description of the happiness of the Omelas people.nPart II paras.7-8: nIt focuses on the description of the misery and suffering of the chil
30、d.0.055nPart III paras.9-12: nIt shows the attitude of most people and their reaction to the childs suffering.nPart IV paras.13-14: nIt offers the different attitude and reactions of a few.0.056Summary0.057. The Writing Style The text describes a fictional city of happiness created by Ursula Le Guin
31、. She uses allegory to describe a symbolic story to express the paradox of Omelas. She draws pictures both emotionally and colorfully to portray Omelas where people seem to live in a form of paradise. 0.058 At the same time she pictures the terrible injustice of life, and of peoples assumptions abou
32、t it, when she describes the misery and suffering of the child. Ursula Le Guin sets out to explore the dark and shadow in humanity and in society. 0.059 In reality, the perfection which Omelas presents becomes much deeper than the superficial meaning when we look at this allegory. The question about
33、 “the nature of happiness and on what it depends” becomes he critical theme for the whole story. Ursula Le Guin sates her views very clearly in one sentence:0.060 “Happiness is based on a just discrimination of what is necessary, what is neither necessary nor destructive, and what is destructive.” T
34、he contrast between the citizens and the child offers certain implications. Omelas is, perhaps, not so perfect after all.0.061 The citizens accept that happiness needs a destructive side and becomes blind to the terrible injustice. The writer states her thoughts without limitation; she opens the par
35、adox to the free imagination of her readers. What should one make of the paradox between the utopian city Omelas and the suffering of the child.0.062. Rhetorical DevicesnPersonificationnIronynMetaphornSimile 0.063nAphorismna statement which defines a perspective by illustrating or describing the hor
36、izon of that perspective. Instead of standing outside a viewpoint and describing the viewpoint, an aphorism adopts a viewpoint and identifies the things which are only visible from that viewpoint. Usually an aphorism is a very concise statement.0.064Exercises0.065. ExercisesnOral PresentationnMake a
37、 five-minute presentation in class based on your close reading of the text.0.066nDiscriminate synonymsn1. happy, glad, cheerful, joyful, joyousn2. pleasure, delight, joy, enjoymentn3. ancient, antique, archaicn4. anger, indignation, rage fury, wrath0.0671. happy / glad / cheerful / joyful / joyousnh
38、appy: generally suggests a feeling of great pleasure, contentment, etc.nglad: implies more strongly an exultant feeling of joy, both glad and happy are commonly used in merely polite formulas expressing gratification0.068ncheerful: implies a steady display of bright spirits, optimism, etc.njoyful /
39、joyous: both imply great elation and rejoicing, the former generally because of a particular event, and the latter as a matter of usual temperament0.0692. pleasure / delight / joy / enjoymentnpleasure: the general term for an agreeable feeling of satisfaction, ranging from a quiet sense of gratifica
40、tion to a positive sense of happinessndelight: implies a high degree of obvious pleasure, openly and enthusiastically expressed0.070njoy: describes a keenly felt, exuberant, often demonstrative happinessnenjoyment: suggests a somewhat some quiet feeling of satisfaction with that which pleases0.0713.
41、 ancient / antique / archaicnancient: specifically implies reference to times long pastnantique: used to describe that which has become old-fashioned or outdatednarchaic: in this connection, applied to that which is marked by the characteristics of an earlier period0.0724. anger / indignation / rage
42、 / fury / wrathnanger: is broadly applicable to feelings of resentful or revengeful displeasurenindignation: implies righteous anger aroused by what seems unjust, mean, or insulting0.073nrage: suggests a violent outburst of anger in which self-control is lostnfury: implies a frenzied rage that borde
43、rs on madnessnwrath: implies deep indignation expressing itself in a desire to punish or get revenge0.074nREAD, THINK AND COMMENTnRead the following paragraphs and prepare to discuss: What method is used in developing the paragraph? Is the paragraph an objective (realistic) or emotional (impressioni
44、stic) description?0.075nThis paragraph is an objective (realistic) description and spatial order is used for developing the paragraph.0.076nThis paragraph is emotional (impressionistic) description. The dominant impression that the writer wants to convey is expressed in the word “fabulous,” and ther
45、efore they selects only those details which are fabulous. The equipment and furnishings which are common to all ships and which do not reinforce the impression of fabled wealth and luxury are ignored completely.0.077nThis paragraph is also emotional (impressionistic) description. The dominant impression that the writer wants to convey is that the son is naughty but lovable. The narrator picks this one dominant impression of the son and focuses on it.0.078
