(print only: P1-P14)

Unit Eleven Text I: Cultivating A Hobby

Winston Churchill

Pre-reading Brainstorming:

1. What is your hobby? How do you develop your hobby?

2. What are functions of hobbies in general?

Teaching objectives

1. To use metaphorical language in exposition.

2. To use synonymous expressions that add to the vividness and effectiveness of exposition.

3. To appreciate Churchill’s style of writing, focusing on parallelisms in particular.

Notes

1. Hobbies , broadly defined, are constructive spare-time activities that may have a variety of goals: pleasure, relaxation, therapy, selfimprovement, and making new friends and social contacts. They generally fall into one of two categories: collecting (such items as stamps or coins) and creating (such activities as model making and painting). Hobbies offer a change from daily routines. Hobbies are of many various kinds , for example:

2. collecting stamps, coins, rocks, seashells, butterflies, books, autographs, postcards, chinaware, antiques, and many other things;

3. making model cars, ships, planes, railway cars. etc.;

• 3.work-around-the-house hobbies such as gardening, cooking, woodworking, making furniture, decorating, etc. ;

4. photography; 5. needlework and knitting;

5. writing poetry, prose, fiction, etc. ;

6. painting and sculpture. There are also hundreds of other interesting leisure-time activities.

7. Sir Winston Churchill was a distinguished amateur painter. "He was the first concededly amateur artist ever to have a retrospective show of his own at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art. As an amateur's show, it was accorded a most favourable and enthusiastic reception; by professional standards, it would not have been as graciously

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received. "( from: Encyclopedia Britannica , 15th ad. , 1984, v. 8, p. 974)

"Churchill took up painting in 1915, and he devoted much of his leisure in his later years to this favourite hobby of his. If it weren't for painting,' he said, I couldn't bear the strain of things. 'His works were featured by the Royal Academy of Arts. He was also an amateur mason, held a bricklayer's union card, and personally built the kitchen-garden wall at Chartwell, his estate in Kent." (from: Merit Students Encyclopedia, 1980 ad. , v. 4, p. 490. )

About Winston Churchill (1874- 1965)

• 1) A public man having a most colorful political career:

  • early career: been a solider, war time correspondent

  • at 27, (in 1901) served as Conservative MP

  • office held including:

    • a. President of the Board of Trade （商务部长）

    • b. Home Secretary （内政部长）

    • c. First Lord of the Admiralty 英国海军大臣

    • d. (1922-24) Chancellor of the Exchequer （财政部长）

  • （for a decade between late 1920’s to 1940’s）became a political outcast, not holding any office (The Conservative government failed to cope with the economic crisis and lost power in 1929.)

  • (On the outbreak of World War II) returned to public life, served as the First Lord of the Admiralty

  • (1940-1945) served as the Prime Minister首相, as War leader, becoming a symbol of British resistance in the darkest days of the conflict, fighting as the Nazism (He warned the British government against the threat of German military expansion.)

  • defeated in the General Election of 1945 (ironically)

  • returned to office in 1951

  • finally resigned at the age of 80 in 1955

• 2) A man of versatile talents

  • a powerful orator (p.162, Passage B, one of his speech)

  • man of letter (awarded Nobel Prize for literature in 1953)

  • an amateur painter (paintings were displayed in the galleries of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1958

  • he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature "for his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as

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for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values".

Main Idea :

Churchill's concern in this essay is the role hobbies play in relaxing the mind of rational, industrious, and useful human beings

Purpose of writing and Tone :

To bring home to the reader the importance of cultivating a rightly chosen hobby.

3) Organization and Development :

Introduction : (P1-2)

Development: (P3-5)

Organization of the text by XU

Section 1 (para. 1-2): Raising the topic: explaining what worry is and the importance of a hobby in attenuating worry

• Para. 1: explain the notion of “worry”, but something else is implied by “insinuate something else into its convulsive grasp” and “illumination of another field of interest”

• Para. 2: thesis statement: “The cultivation of a hobby and new forms of interest is therefore a policy of first importance to a public man”.

Section 2 (para. 3-5): Classifying human beings into three categories and emphasizing the importance of hobbies to them

• Para. 3: the classification of human beings into three classes:

  • those who are toiled to death; those who are worried to death; and those who are bored to death.

• Para. 4: For the unfortunate people who can command everything they want, the most hopeful path is discipline in one form or another.

• Para. 5: the classification of rational, industrious, useful human beings into two classes and the need of hobbies to them: those whose word is work and whose pleasure is pleasure, and those whose work and pleasure are one.

ORGANIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT in TB

Churchill's concern in this essay is the role hobbies play in relaxing the mind of rational, industrious, useful human beings.

To explain how a hobby works , he first of all explains what worry really is. Although here the word "hobby" is not mentioned at all, there are

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other expressions that are used to refer to hobby and show the way a rightly chosen hobby works to attenuate worry, e. g. "insinuate something else into its convulsive grasp," "illumination of another field of interest."

The classification in paras. 3 and 4 i s the division of human beings into three classes: those who are toiled to death, those who are worried to death, and those who are bored to death. The other classification is the division of rational, industrious, useful human beings into two classes: those whose work is work and whose pleasure is pleasure; and those whose work and pleasure are one. The two classifications are related in that in the second classification, the third category of human beings in the first classification, i.e., those who are bored to death, is excluded. Obviously, in Churchill's opinion these cannot be justifiably regarded as rational, industrious, useful human beings, and in their case, no hobby can help to relieve their boredom.

Hobby is good only for those rational, industrious, useful human beings, no matter whether they regard work and pleasure as one or as separate. But Churchill emphasizes that hobby is all the more necessary for those who integrates work and pleasure. These are people who need more than anyone else an alternative outlook, a change of atmosphere. Comprehension Questions :

1. While “ worry ” is defined as a “spasm of emotion” in the first sentence of the passage, what other phrases are used in the first paragraph to refer to this annoying state of the mind?

--- "its (the mind's) convulsive grasp", "the (old) undue grip"

2. What does the word “ attended ” on line 5 mean?

   • --- accompanied

3. Metaphor in para.2.to describe the cultivation of a hobby

   • --- the last sentence - "The seeds must be carefully chosen . . . when needed. "

The cultivation of a hobby is compared to that of a plant. First of all, the right hobby (the seed of a plant) must be carefully chosen for a person (good ground); then the process of cultivating a hobby, like that of growing a plant, requires care and effort. Only in this way can one reap in due time the fruit of one's labour the relaxing effect of one's hobby.

4. What kind of people do you think Churchill had in mind when he made the three-classes classification?

   • 1)"Those who are toiled to death" refers to manual laborers, blue-

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collar workers. (para. 3)

• 2. "Those who are worried to death" refers to people who work with their brains,

e. g., professionals, public men. (para. 3)

3. "Those who are bored to death" refers to people who are not doing anything seriously, perhaps the leisured class. The fourth paragraph refers particularly to this class of non-industrious and useless creatures.

5. Why does Churchill classify as unfortunate those people who can command everything they want? Do you think he sympathizes with them?

--- These people are simply hopeless; nothing works to relieve them of their boredom.

• Churchill does not really feel sympathetic towards them. Note the phrase "avenging boredom ". He seems to think that this is what they deserve.

6. What is the meaning of the word “ discipline ” on line 30? --- Regularity, a more regularized way of life.

7. Some of the simplest and most modern form of pleasure?

--- Jogging, taking a walk, listening to music on the radio, watching TV, gardening.

8. In what sense are the second class of people, i.e., those whose work and pleasure are one, “Fortune’s favored children”?

--- There is never a clash between work and pleasure. They are always happy to work.

9. How do you interpret the word “grudge” in para. 5?

• --- accepted with great reluctance

10. What does the word “it” on line 43 refer to?

--- their work

11. Identify the expressions in the last two sentences used to refer to the notion “hobby”.

--- an alternative outlook, a change of atmosphere, a diversion of effort, a means of

banishing it (work) from their minds

• 5) Difficult Sentences for paraphrasing

1. The stronger the will, the more futile the task. (L.3)

• ---The more you attempt to shake off your worry, the harder it will be for you to get rid of it/have it off your mind.

2. It is no use starting late in life to say: “I will take an interest in

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this

or that”(L. 15-16)

• --- It is not a good idea to begin thinking of pursuing a hobby when you have already grown old.

3. It is not use doing what you like; you have got to like what you do.(L.18-19)

• ---It is no good believing that you are in a position to enjoy at a moment's notice any pastime which happens to catch your fancy; pleasure comes from exerting one's talents in a hobby suited to one's circumstances.

4. As for the unfortunate people who can command everything they want, who can gratify every caprice 反复无常 , 任性 , 怪想 and lay hands on almost every object of desire---for them a new pleasure, a new excitement is only an additional satiation 使饱足 , 饱食 , 饱满 , 饱享的 , 厌腻的 . (L.26-28)

• ---Since those very wealthy people can afford to get access to almost anything they may think of and to turn the most fanciful ideas into reality, there is nothing in this world that can interest or excite them any more. To them, a new pleasure, a new excitement may very often make them even more bored about life.

5. Indeed, it may well be that those who work is their pleasure are those who most need the means of banishing it at interval from their minds.(L.42-44)

• ---In fact, it is probably those whose work provides them with their enjoyment arc those who are most in need of periodic distractions from their work.

Difficult Sentences for Translation (E-C):

1. As for the unfortunate people who can command everything they want, who can gratify every caprice反复无常, 任性, 怪想 and lay hands on almost every object of desire---for them a new pleasure, a new excitement is only an additional satiation使饱足, 饱食, 饱满, 饱享 的, 厌腻的.

2. In vain they rush frantically round from place to place, trying to escape from avenging boredom by mere clatter and motion. For them discipline in one form or another is the most hopeful path.

3. Indeed, it may well be that those who work is their pleasure are those who most need the means of banishing it at interval from their minds.

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Difficult Sentences for Translation (C-E):

1. 他暗示John是肇事者的企图是徒劳的。

• His attempt at insinuating that John was the culprit犯人turned out to be

• futile.

2. 当他未能完成期望他做的是时，他很善于临时找个借口来为自己 开脱。

   • He is very clever at improvising 临时准备excuses when he fails to do what is expected of him.

3. 他此行去西藏可以满足他想参观布达拉宫的愿望了

   • His trip to Tibet will gratify his desire to see the Potala.

4. 这个公司拥有雄厚的人力资源。 This corporation commands 指挥, 支配, 博得, excellent human

resources.

5. 另外想个办法去款待你的客人。不要老是请他们看影视光碟。 Think of an alternative way of entertaining your guests. Don't always show them VCDs.

6. 沉溺于胡思乱想和心血来潮是有害的。

   • It is harmful to indulge in whims whim一时的兴致, 幻想, 反复无常, 怪念头, 奇想

and caprices 反复无常, 任性, 怪想.

7. 不属于你的东西不要作非分之想。

   • Try not to lay your hands on anything that you are not entitled to .

8. 他没来参加竞赛。很可能他把这件事全部忘记了。

   • He did not come to the competition. It may well be that he had forgotten all about it.

• 7. Key Words and Expressions:

1. spasm (L. 1)an involuntary muscular contraction; here, a sudden violent spell (of)

2. futile (L. 3)ineffective, unsuccessful

3. insinuate (L. 4)introduce (something) indirectly and subtly

4. convulsive (L.4)having a violent involuntary contraction, spasmodic (refer to 1)

5. illumination (L.5)enlightenment, edification

6. recuperation (L.6)getting back strength; getting free from worry

7. improvise (L.10)make or do without preparation, practice, sufficient material, etc.

8. sedulously (L. 12)diligently, assiduously

9. vivifying fruits (L.12)results that give one relaxation/ refreshment

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10. command (L. 26) have within reach; be master of

11. caprice (L.27) sudden wish to have or do something; whim

12. banish (L. 42) drive out; get rid of

8) Key Language Points:

1. futile ---ineffective, unsuccessful. Example: All his attempts to solve the problem were futile.

2. attend --- go with, accompany. Example: The delegates to the international conference were wellattended by bodyguards in casual clothes.

3. improvise --- do something offhand or without preparation. Example: He was asked to perform in the play at the last minute, so he had to improvise from time to time as he couldn't remember his lines.

4. alternative mental interests --- other interests of the mind alternative

   • adj. - that may be had instead of another. Example: There is no alternative way of doing this. Our way is the only way.

5. tend --- take good care of, look after. Examples: The head nurse tended the patients with great care. The farmer tended his sheep with loving care.

6. at hand --- (rather formal use) near in time or place. Examples: He always keeps a dictionary at hand. The graduation day is at hand.

7. command --- have control of; be master of. Example: He commands a large sum of money.

8. gratify every caprice --- satisfy every whim; gratify : satisfy a desire, etc. Example: This set of encyclopedias will gratify her thirst for knowledge. caprice --- a sudden wish to have or do something without any reason. Example: I hope your decision to quit the job is just a caprice.

9. lay one's hands on -- - manage to obtain. Example:

   • He tries to lay his hands on everything that

comes his way.

10. satiation --- (formal word) the state of having too much of something that one gets tired of it. Example:

Overindulgence in anything brings about satiation.

11. discipline in one form or another --- orderly and controlled way of

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behaving and acting in various forms

12. compensation -- - something received as a repayment for services, loss, injury, suffering, etc. Example:

The fulfillment of a difficult task is the best form of compensation for your hard work.

13. the means of sustenance ---the income to support themselves with food, drink, and other necessities of life

• means -- - a method or way (of doing something), e. g. , means of instruction, means of transportation, means of communication

14. a diversion of effort --- a change in one's attempt to do something diversion --- 1) something that turns one's attention to something else. Example:

What he said was a diversion to the main point.

2. something that amuses. Example: Diversions are many and varied in large cities.

15. it may well be that . . . --- it is likely or possible that . . . Example: He didn't show up at the party. It may well be that he had no interest in

it.

16. banish --- dismiss, drive out.

Example:

Banish worries from your mind.

Post reading Activities:

Classroom discussion

1. In what way is the cultivation of a hobby similar to the growing of a plant?

2. Why is cultivation of hobbies most important to “a public man”?

3. In what sense are those whose work and pleasure are one “fortune’s favored children”?

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Unit Eleven Text II: A Debt to Dickens

Pearl S. Buck

Pre-reading Brainstorming :

Do you owe any debt to any famous writers or other people that have influenced you a great deal?

How did him / her influence you?

Main Idea of the passage:

Dickens' novels rendered (give her help or assistance) her an inestimable service when she was a lonely American child in a remote Chinese countryside.

Structure of the passage:

(P.1) Introduction--I have to write to meet my obligation; (P.2-4) Her living conditions and difficulties at that time;

(P.4-7) The hobby of reading Dickens and benefit she obtained from it.

Organization and development of the text by XU

Section 1 (para. 1): Stating the writing purpose: to express a feeling of warm gratitude to Charles Dickens

Section 2 (para. 2-3): Explaining factors that contributed to her

feeling of loneliness and alienation

Para. 2: living environment of the seven-year-old child

Para. 3: her feeling of being foreign, and her longing to know more about her own folk

Section 3 (para. 4-7): Explaining how she had benefited from reading Dickens

Para. 4: an extraordinary accident – the discovery of Dickens’ works and thus the discovery of her playmates

• Para. 5: the discovery meant to that small, lonely child: she entered into her own heritage by reading Dickens

Para. 6-7: The reading program, which lasted for about ten years, has

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