1、*1Advanced English Lesson FourAlice Walker*2 Learn to grasp the effective writing skills of a short story:(1) successful portrayal of characters, (a) using languages (choice of words, sentence structure, grammar) (Ex. XI) which suit the background of characters (using many elliptical and short, simp
2、le sentences (Ex. V) to achieve certain effects), (b) using animal image (Ex. X) (c) through contrast (Maggie vs. Dee);(2) shift of tense between past and present*3 Understand the theme of the text Get to know the author (Alice Walker) Get to know some cultural background of American blacks (history
3、, tradition, religion, literature, art and music, politics, language)*4Homework (1) Reading Comprehension: Ex I (Questions) Ex II (Paraphrase) Ex III (E-C translation)*5Homework (2-1) Words and Expressions: Refer to “word list.doc”*6Homework (2-2) Words and Expressions: Ex IV (Word replacement) Ex I
4、X (crop, put, keep, bring, hang, hand, style, stick, carry) Ex XII (C-E translation)*7Homework (3) Character Analysis and Theme: Assigned reading*8Assigned Reading Analysis of characters: 划出描写三个女性人物的语句 Mother (+Ex XI) 刘英.被子与“遗产”:日用家当赏析.名作赏析,2000(2).*9Assigned Reading Theme: 赵莉华.逃避伤痛文化，寻根非洲文化：从艾利斯沃克的
5、外婆的日用家当看美国黑人文化认同.西华师范大学学报（哲学社会科学版）.2005(4). *10Reading List for “Everyday Use”（1）刘英.被子与“遗产”：日用家当赏析.名作赏析,2000(2).（2）赵莉华.逃避伤痛文化，寻根非洲文化：从艾利斯沃克的外婆的日用家当看美国黑人文化认同.西华师范大学学报（哲学社会科学版）.2005(4).（3）Whitsitt, Sam. In Spite of It All: A Reading of Alice Walkers “Everyday Use”. African American Review. 2000, 34(3)
6、.（4）Farrell, Susan. Fight vs. Flight: A Re-evaluation of Dee in Alice Walkers “Everyday Use”. Studies in Short Fiction, 1998 (35).（5）Tuten, Nancy. Alice Walkers “Everyday Use”. The Explicator, 1993.（6）A Book Review on Critical Essays on Alice Walker. *11Everyday Use (1973)A collection of stories by
7、Alice Walker A casebook (个案记录簿) devoted to tracing the derivation (来历) and elaborating the importance of quilting as a metaphor for the creative legacy (遗产) inherited by black Americans from their material (physical) ancestors.*12Theme The story praises the simplicity of Maggie and her mother, along
8、 with their allegiance (忠诚) to their specific family identity (身份) and folk heritage (民族传统) as well as their refusal to change at the whim (一时的兴致) of an outside world that doesnt really have much to do with them. *13Theme “Everyday Use”, a story addresses itself to (针对而写) the dilemma of African Amer
9、icans who, in striving to escape prejudice and poverty, risk a terrible deracination (灭绝), a sundering (分离) from all that has sustained (支撑) and defined them (their heritage).*14Structure Part 1 (paras. 1-2): foreshadowing the arrival of Dee 预示Dee的到来 Section 1 (para. 1) description of the yard Secti
10、on 2 (para. 2) description of Maggie*15Structure Part 2 (paras. 3-16): mother relating (叙述) her dream, recalling (回忆) and describing the two daughters Section1 (paras. 3-6) mother and Dee (para. 3) TV program with daughter and mother (para. 4) mothers dream of her and Dee on such a program (paras. 5
11、-6) the real mother Section 2 (paras. 7-12) description of Maggie and Dee Section 3 (para. 13) mother Section 4 (para. 14) the new house Section 5 (paras. 15-16) recalling Dee*16Structure Why is there a space after para. 12? paras. 3-12: 描写mother; Maggie, Dee; para. 13: mother*17Structure Part 3 (pa
12、ras 17-82): happenings during Dees revisit Section 1 (paras. 17-23) the arrival: description of Dee and Asalamalakim; greeting; taking picture Section 2 (paras. 24-44) changing name Section 3 (paras. 45-54) having dinner: bench, butter dish, churn top, dasher Section 4 (paras. 56-82) after dinner an
13、d leaving: asking for quilts *18Climax The story reaches its climax (para. 75) at the moment when Dee, the elder daughter, wants the old quilts only to be refused flatly (断然地) by the mother, who intends to give them to Maggie, the younger one.*19Shift of Tensepresentpastpresentpastpresentpast1-1010-
14、1313-1414-1617-2526-82 Past tense is used to describe a specific event occurring is the past (before the “current” event). (paras. 10-13, 14-16) Simple present tense is used to describe actions that took place in the past time. (paras. 1-10, 13-14, 17-25) The purpose is to make the story telling mor
15、e vivid. After knowing Dee changes her name, the narrator begins to use past tense to depict “current” event. (paras. 26-82) *20Three Main Characters mother: 5, 6, 13, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 37, 39, 41, 42, 43, 58, 60, 62, 64, 67, 68, 70, 75, 76, 79 Dee/Wangero: 2, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25,
16、 27, 29, 31, 36, 38, 40, 45, 46, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 56, 59, 61, 62, 63, 65, 66, 68, 69, 77, 78, 80, 81 Maggie: 2, 7, 9, 10, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 34, 52, 55, 57, 72, 74, 75, 82*21Other Characters Asalamalakim/Hakim-a-barber (Dees “husband”) (Muslim): 19, 21, 33, 36, 42, 44, 45, 50 John Thomas (Maggie
17、s fianc): 13 Jimmy T (Dees ex-boyfriend) : 16 Uncle Buddy (Aunt Dicies second husband): 47 Henry/Stash (v. 储藏,隐藏; n. 储藏的东西) (Aunt Dicies first husband): 52*22Family TreeEzra Great GrandpaGrandma DeeJarrell - Grandpa MeBig Dee(Aunt Dicie)DeeMaggie*23Type of Literature short story (narration) Basic co
18、mponents character, action, conflict Organization introduction; development; climax; conclusion*24Detailed Study Words and Expressions (wordlist) Reading Comprehension (Ex I (Questions), Ex II (Paraphrase), Ex III (E-C translation) Exercises of Words and Expressions (Ex IV (Word replacement) (more f
19、ormal), Ex IX (crop, put, keep, bring, hang, hand, style, stick, carry), Ex XII (C-E translation) Character Analysis and Theme*25Words and Expressionswavy (why?) (1)wait for the breezes that never come inside the house (why?) (1)homely (2)make it (3)of this sort (4)Johnny Carson (4)tacky (4)a Johnso
20、n (6)sidle up (9)shuffle (9) (18)burn to the ground (9)dimwit (11)stare down (12)fight off (12)style (12)stumble (13)soothe (13)furtive (15)scalding (15)recompose (16)neat (19)stocky (19)kinky (19)wriggle (19)loud (20)Wa-su-zo-Tean-o (21)Asalamalakim (21)stoop down (22)line up (22)snap (22)go throug
21、h motions (23)do it fancy (23)There you are (33)Model A car (36)ream (41)get the name out of the way (42)trip over (42)salt-lick shelter (43)talk a blue streak over (45)clabber (46)whittle (47)alcove (53)rifle through (55)gasp (65)stump (70)dopey (74)hangdog (74)portion (74)*26Reading Comprehension
22、- Ex I 11) What is implied by the subtitle for your grandmama? Its implied that (1) the story is written in honor of the grandma mentioned in it and that (2) the ordinary old thing may be something precious for the young. (to cherish the quilt made by grandma and cherish your heritage)*27Detailed St
23、udy Part 1 (paras. 1-2): foreshadowing the arrival of Dee 预示Dee的到来*28Para. 1 description of the yard*29Words and Expressions wavy (why?) (1) characteristic of waves; resembling waves Here the word describes the marks in wavy patterns on the clay ground left by the broom. (扫帚扫过在泥土地上留下的波浪形痕迹) 波状的，有起伏的
24、 *30Words and Expressions wait for the breezes that never come inside the house (why?) (1) Cf. para. 14 There are no real windows *31Para. 2 description of Maggie: nervous, hopelessly, homely, ashamed, envy, awe contrast with Dee Her sister has held life always in the palm of one hand, “no” is a wor
25、d the world never learned to say to her *32Words and Expressions homely (2) A. (approving 褒 esp. Brit) (a) simple and plain 简单的；平常的 a homely woman 朴素的女子 (b) making sb feel comfortable 使人感到舒适的 a homely place/atmosphere 宾至如归的地方/气氛 B. (US derogatory) (of a persons appearance) not good-looking; plain （指
26、人的外貌）不好看的；相貌平平的（此处） *33Reading Comprehension - Ex II Paraphrase 1): She thinks her sister has held life always in the palm of one hand. (2) She thinks that her sister has a firm control of her life.*34Reading Comprehension - Ex II Paraphrase 2): “No” is a word the world never learned to say to her.
27、(2) She could always have anything she wanted, and life was extremely generous to her.*35Detailed Study Part 2 (paras. 3-16): mother relating (叙述) her dream, recalling (回忆) and describing the two daughters Section1 (paras. 3-6) mother and Dee*36Para. 3 TV program with daughter and mother*37Words and
28、 Expressions make it (3) to become a success; to succeed either in specific endeavor or in general 某次努力中或大体上的成功 *38Figures of Speech Ex VIII 1) A pleasant surprise, of course: What would they do if parent and child came on the show only to curse out and insult each other? (3) (rhetorical question) A
29、 pleasant surprise, of course. This is much better than a situation in which the parent and child came on the show only to curse out and insult each other.*39Para. 4 mothers dream of her and Dee on such a program*40Words and Expressions of this sort (4) carrying a derogatory tone suggesting that the
30、 TV program is of poor or inferior kind / insincere *41Words and Expressions Johnny Carson (4) John William “Johnny” Carson (October 23, 1925 January 23, 2005) was an American television host and comedian, known as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for 30 years (1962-92).*42Johnny Cars
31、on Carson received six Emmy Awards including the Governor Award and a 1985 Peabody Award; he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992, and received Kennedy Center Honors in 1993. *43Words and Expressions tacky (4) adj. (i
32、nfml esp. US) in poor taste; inelegant 粗俗的，俗气的*44Words and Expressions Ex IV 1) even though she has told me once that she thinks orchids are tacky flowers. (inelegant)*45Paras. 5-6 the real mother *46Reading Comprehension - Ex I 1) In real life what kind of woman is the mother? (para. 5) In real lif
33、e the mother was a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands. 2) What kind of woman would Dee like her mother to be? (para. 5) Dee would like her mother to have a slender figure and a fair skin, glistening hair and a quick and witty tongue.*47Figures of Speech Ex VI 1) I am the way my dau
34、ghter would want me to be: . my skin like an uncooked barley pancake. (5) (simile) my complexion had a smooth and creamy texture.*48Reading Comprehension - Ex II Paraphrase 3): Johnny Carson has much to do to keep up with my quick and witty tongue. (5) Johnny Carson, popular TV talk show star, is fa
35、mous for his witty and glib (能说会道的) tongue. But in this respect, I am far better than he, and he has to try hard if he wants to catch up with me.*49Reading Comprehension - Ex IIITranslation 1): In real life I am a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands. In the winter I wear flannel nig
36、htgowns to bed and overalls during the day. I can kill and clean a hog as mercilessly as a man. My fat keeps me hot in zero weather. I can work outside all day, breaking ice to get water for washing; I can eat pork liver cooked over the open fire minutes after it comes steaming from the hog. One win
37、ter I knocked a bull calf straight in the brain between the eyes with a sledge hammer and had the meat hung up to chill before nightfall. But of course all this does not show on television. I am the way my daughter would want me to be: a hundred pounds lighter, my skin like an uncooked barley pancak
38、e. My hair glistens in the hot bright lights. Johnny Carson has much to do to keep up with my quick and witty tongue. (5) (Mother)在现实生活中，我是一个大块头、大骨架的妇女，有着干男人活儿的粗糙双手。冬天睡觉时我穿着绒布睡衣；白天身穿套头工作衫。我能像男人一样狠狠地宰猪并收拾干净。我的一身脂肪使我在寒冬也保持温暖。我能整天在户外干活儿，敲碎冰块，取水洗衣。我能吃在明火上烧熟的猪肝，而这猪肝是从刚宰死的猪身上切下来的而且是还冒着热气的。有一年冬天，我用一把大铁锤砍倒一
39、头小公牛，锤子正打在小牛两眼之间的大脑上。天黑之前，我把牛肉挂起来凉着。不过，这一切当然都没有在电视上出现过。电视上的我是我的女儿希望的样子：体重减去一百磅，皮肤像下锅煎之前的大麦面饼那样细腻光滑，头发在炽热耀眼的灯光下闪闪发亮。而且，我有一口伶牙俐齿，能够妙语连珠。就连乔尼卡森也望尘莫及。（四字词语）（断句）（四字词语）（断句）*50Words and Expressions a Johnson (6) a member of the Johnsons*51Figures of Speech Ex VIII 2) Who ever knew a Johnson with a quick to
40、ngue? (6) (rhetorical question) None of the Johnsons had a quick tongue.*52Figures of Speech Ex VIII 3) Who can ever imagine me looking a strange white man in the eye? (6) (rhetorical question) I could never possibly look a strange white man in the eye.*53Reading Comprehension - Ex I 3) How does the
41、 mother act when she meets a strange white man? (para. 6) When she meets a strange white man, she always avoids looking him in the eye and is ready to go away.*54Figures of Speech Ex VI 2) It seems to me I have talked to them always with one foot raised in flight. (6) (metaphor) uncomfortably and ne
42、rvously, wanting to get away as soon as possible.*55Reading Comprehension - Ex II Paraphrase 4): It seems to me I have talked to them always with one foot raised in flight. (6) It seems to me that I have talked to them always ready to leave as quickly as possible.*56Writing Skills Elliptical Sentenc
43、e (Ex V) 1) Dee, though. (6) Dee, however, is not like me.*57Reading Comprehension - Ex IIITranslation 2): But that is a mistake. I know even before I wake up. Who ever knew a Johnson with a quick tongue? Who can even imagine me looking a strange white man in the eye? It seems to me I have talked to
44、 them always with one foot raised in flight, with my head turned in whichever way is farthest from them. Dee, though. She would always look anyone in the eye. Hesitation was no part of her nature. (6) (Mother & Dee)可是，这是个错误，我还没醒来之前就知道了。谁听说约翰逊/孙/森家的人有伶牙俐齿？谁能想象我敢直视一个陌生的白人？和他们讲话时，我总是紧张不安，随时准备溜走。我的头总是转到
45、离他们最远的方向。不过，迪伊就不这样。她对任何人都不畏惧。犹豫不决绝对不属于她的本性。（反问句，省略句）（反问句，省略句）*58Paras. 7-12 Section 2 (paras. 7-12) description of Maggie and Dee *59Words and Expressions sidle up (9) sidle up (to sb) move up sideways, especially in a shy or stealthy (偷偷的) manner （羞怯地或偷偷地）侧身走近某人 *60Words and Expressions shuffle (9)
46、 (18) n. & vi. A. change or shift repeatedly from one position to another 改变位置 B. walk very slowly and noisily, without lifting ones feet off the ground 拖着脚走（此处） *61Words and Expressions burn to the ground (9) 夷为平地*62Words and Expressions sweet gum tree (10) 香枫胶树*63Figures of Speech Ex VIII 4) Why d
47、ont you do a dance around the ashes? (10) (rhetorical question) I know you hated the house and so you are very glad to see the house being burnt down.*64Reading Comprehension - Ex II Paraphrase 5): She washed us in a river of make-believe (11) Paraphrase 6): burned us with a lot of knowledge we didn
48、t necessarily need to know (11) She imposed on us lots of falsity and so-called knowledge that is totally useless to us.*65Words and Expressions dimwit (11) (slang 俚语) a stupid person; a simpleton; an idiot 傻瓜 *66Words and Expressions Ex IV 2) like dimwits, we seem to understand. (stupid persons; si
49、mpletons; idiots)*67Reading Comprehension - Ex IIITranslation 3): I used to think she hated Maggie, too. But that was before we raised the money, the church and me, to send her to Augusta to school. She used to read to us without pity; forcing words, lies, other folks habits, whole lives upon us two
50、, sitting trapped and ignorant underneath her voice. She washed us in a river of make-believe, burned us with a lot of knowledge we didnt necessarily need to know. Pressed us to her with the serious way she read, to shove us away at just the moment, like dimwits, we seemed about to understand. (11)
